JEFFERSON CITY, MO. - The Presidential Disaster Declaration of June 25 made a variety of Individual Assistance (IA) programs available to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private nonprofit organizations in seven northeastern Missouri counties: Clark, Lewis, Lincoln, Marion, Pike, Ralls and St. Charles counties.
Registering for disaster assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is often the first step in the recovery process. Once registered, the following types of aid can become available, as needed and warranted:
Rental payments for temporary housing for those whose homes are unlivable. Initial assistance may be provided for up to three months for homeowners and at least one month for renters. Assistance may be extended if requested after the initial period based on a review of individual applicant requirements.
Grants for home repairs and replacement of essential household items not covered by insurance to make damaged dwellings safe, sanitary and functional.
Grants to replace personal property and help meet medical, dental, funeral, transportation and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other federal, state and charitable aid programs.
Unemployment payments up to 26 weeks for workers who temporarily lost jobs because of the disaster and who do not qualify for state benefits, such as self-employed individuals, including farmers.
Low-interest loans to cover residential losses not fully compensated by insurance. Loans available up to $200,000 for primary residence; $40,000 for personal property, including renter losses. Loans available up to $2 million for business property losses not fully compensated by insurance. These are made available through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
SBA loans up to $2 million for small businesses that have suffered disaster-related cash flow problems and need funds for working capital to recover from the disaster's adverse economic impact. This loan in combination with a property loss loan cannot exceed a total of $2 million.
There are several programs available from the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture specifically for farmers, ranchers and aquaculture operators. These can include USDA Farm Service Agency loans of up to $500,000 to cover production and property losses.
There are other assistance programs available for individuals, homeowners, and businesses through the USDA's Rural Development agency.
Other relief programs include crisis counseling for those traumatized by the disaster; income tax assistance for filing casualty losses; advisory assistance for legal, veterans' benefits and social security matters.
FEMA disaster recovery experts urge Missourians in the affected areas to register with the agency even if they have insurance. FEMA does not duplicate insurance payments, but applicants who are under-insured may be reconsidered after claims have been settled.
Registration with FEMA is required separately from registration with any other disaster relief organizations.
FEMA's toll-free registration helpline is open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. until further notice. To register, call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the speech- or hearing-impaired.
Online registration is available anytime at www.fema.gov. |
