November 18th Disaster Application Deadline Approaching
More than $24 Million Approved for Disaster Assistance in Ohio
Release Date: October 26, 2004
Release Number: 1556-035
» More Information on Ohio Severe Storms and Flooding
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Disaster victims in 21 counties in Eastern Ohio have about three weeks left to call and apply for federal and state programs by the November 18 deadline. Although assistance may continue beyond that date, disaster officials stated that residents must call and apply to have their applications considered.
In just five weeks since President Bush issued a disaster declaration, more than $24 million in grants and low-interest disaster loans have been approved to assist flood-stricken residents in southeastern Ohio, according to figures released today by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (Ohio EMA).
Disaster Recovery Summary
Local, state and federal recovery officials and voluntary organizations have combined efforts to assist victims of the severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding, which occurred between August 27 and September 27, to begin the recovery process. This is a summary of recovery activities as of close of business October 25:
- 7,909 individuals from the 21 designated counties have called to apply for assistance
- 4,709 applications have been approved for Disaster Housing Assistance grants, totaling $10,976,683– for repairing disaster-damaged, uninsured homes to a safe, sanitary and functional condition and for temporary disaster rental assistance (see county-by-county breakdown attached)
- 1,806 applications have been approved for Other Needs Assistance grants, totaling $7,118,539 – for medical, dental, funeral, personal property, transportation and other eligible expenses
- $5,958,200 in SBA low-interest disaster loans have been approved for 180 applicants
- 4,030 home and 990 business disaster loan applications have been issued, but only 996
(about 20%) have been returned – SBA officials are urging everyone who has received such an application to take time to fill it out and return it promptly. Otherwise, you may delay other types of disaster assistance. - 2,980 people have visited the Disaster Recovery Centers operating in the affected areas.
- 98% of all FEMA home inspections completed – 6,486 issued and 6,376 completed
Housing Referral Desks. FEMA and the Ohio EMA have set up Housing Referral Desks in the Marietta and St. Clairsville Disaster Recovery Centers to help locate housing for families displaced by the recent flooding. Although FEMA has provided financial assistance to more than 2000 homeowners and renters, almost 300 applicants have taken advantage of this new housing referral assistance to provide additional options to help solve their housing needs. Applicants may also call the toll-free FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-FEMA or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired to report any change in their housing needs or receive additional housing resource information for their area.
Disaster Recovery Center locations and hours:
- Washington County: Washington County Courthouse, 205 Putnam Street, Marietta
Open Mon. – Sat., 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., until further notice - Belmont County: Engineers Garage, 45741 Roscoe Road, St. Clairsville
Open Mon. – Sat., 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., until further notice
Call to apply. FEMA also wants to remind disaster victims that if they applied for disaster assistance from flooding earlier this summer (May 18 thru June 21) and have new damages from the flooding August 27 thru September 27, their previous application will not be carried forward. Those residents of Athens, Carroll, Columbiana, Guernsey, Harrison, Mahoning, Noble, Perry, Stark and Tuscarawas counties with new damage need to call and reapply with FEMA for disaster assistance.
Individuals can begin the disaster application process by calling the toll-free registration number 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice. Individuals with Internet access now have the option to register on the agency’s website at http://www.fema.gov, where valuable recovery information is also available.
Unemployment benefits deadline. November 1 to the deadline for disaster victims in Athens, Gallia, Mahoning, Meigs and Vinton Counties to apply for unemployment benefits. FEMA provides 100 percent of the funding for this program, which is administered by the state. The program is designed to provide assistance to those individuals, such as self-employed and farm workers, who would normally not qualify for regular unemployment benefits. For the location of the office nearest to you contact the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services toll-free at 1-877-644-6562 (877-OHIO-JOB) from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.
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: Tuesday, 26-Oct-2004 15:12:41