Assistance For Illinois Disaster Recovery Tops $1.5 Million
Release Date: May 14, 2004
Release Number: 1513-015
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OTTAWA, IL – More than $1.5 million in grants and low-interest disaster loans has been approved for disaster assistance in Illinois since the Presidential declaration of April 23, according to figures released today by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA).
The following is an update of recovery activities as of close of business Thursday, May 13:
- 597 individuals from the declared counties of Kankakee, LaSalle, Putnam and Will had called to apply for assistance
- 106 Housing Assistance grants were approved totaling $193,542 – including 87 temporary rental assistance approved grants (totaling $147.274) and 19 home repair and replacement approved grants (totaling $46,268)
- 49 Other Needs Assistance grants were approved, totaling $143,368 – may include grants for medical, dental, funeral, personal property, transportation and other eligible expenses
- 40 U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster loans were approved,
totaling $1,223,000 – 34 home loans and 6 business loans
CALL TO APPLY -- Residents and business owners in the designated counties who sustained damage or loss can begin the disaster application process by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the hearing and speech impaired. Phone lines will be available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and closed weekends.
ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE AT DRC -- After calling to apply, people can visit a nearby Disaster Recovery Center to get disaster assistance information, receive help in completing their SBA loan applications or talk with mitigation specialists and receive information on low-cost ways to reduce future disaster damages. More than 430 people have visited one of the temporary centers.
The Disaster Recovery Centers are open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at these locations:
- Bicentennial Park, 201 West Jefferson, Joliet; closing 7 p.m., Saturday, May 15.
- Waltham Elementary School, 248 West Canal Street, Utica, will shift its hours to 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, starting Monday, May 17.
SBA ASSISTANCE – The SBA has issued 567 loan applications to homeowners, renters and/or business owners. Officials urge applicants to complete their loan paperwork as soon as possible, even if they have not received a final settlement from their insurance company. If the loan application is not returned it will delay other forms of disaster assistance, including possible grants.
SBA representatives are available at the Disaster Recovery Centers for applicants who need assistance completing their loan and at the SBA Workshop in Joliet at Bicentennial Park, 201 West Jefferson. The Workshop will be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday, May 17, through Thursday, May 20.
DISASTER LEAGAL SERVICES – For information about Disaster Legal Services, including assistance with insurance claims, landlord/tenant and other housing problems, home repair contracts, and replacement of legal documents, call 1-800-467-0385 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.
You do not need assistance of an attorney to register for disaster assistance or to check on the status of your application. If you have questions about your application, you can call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585.
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages Citizen Corps, the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Friday, 14-May-2004 15:51:45