Disaster Assistance Available for Farmers
Emergency loan funds may be available
Release Date: June 17, 2004
Release Number: 1520-032
» More Information on Indiana Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- Farmers in the disaster designated counties of Benton, Boone, Carroll, Cass, Clark, Clinton, Crawford, Dubois, Floyd, Fountain, Fulton, Gibson, Grant, Hamilton, Hancock, Harrison, Hendricks, Howard, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Lawrence, Marion, Martin, Miami, Montgomery, Morgan, Orange, Perry, Pike, Scott, Shelby, Spencer, Tippecanoe, Vanderburgh, Wabash, Warren, Warrick, Washington, and White may be eligible for disaster-recovery assistance from a variety of sources.
If the primary residence on a farm was damaged or destroyed by the tornadoes and flooding that began May 27th and is continuing, state and federal programs may be available to help. These programs include grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for short-term rental needs, minimal home repairs, or to meet serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other programs. Also included are low-interest U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loans for any disaster-related damage and/or to replace damaged personal property.
Assistance is available specifically for agri-businesses from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). For information on FSA programs, individuals should call their nearest FSA county office.
FSA assistance includes the Emergency Loan Program. The emergency loan funds may be used to:
- Restore or replace essential property
- Pay all or part of production costs associated with the disaster year
- Pay essential family living expenses
- Reorganize the farming operation
- Refinance certain debts
To apply for assistance, individuals must call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or the TTY number 1-800-462-7585 for the speech or hearing impaired. The telephone numbers are operational from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time, seven days a week until further notice. If insured, individuals should call their insurance company first and then call FEMA. There is no need to have your insurance claim completed before calling FEMA.
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 the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Friday, 18-Jun-2004 08:24:39