- 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.
- 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 $1.5 million for business property losses not fully compensated by insurance.
- Loans up to $1.5 million for small businesses that have suffered disaster-related cash flow problems and need funds for working capital to recover from the disasters adverse economic impact. This loan in combination with a property loss loan cannot exceed a total of $1.5 million.
- Loans up to $500,000 for farmers, ranchers and aquaculture operators to cover production and property losses, excluding primary residence.
- 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.
Assistance for the State and Affected Local Governments Can Include as Required:
- Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for emergency measures taken to save lives and protect property and public health.
- Payment of more than 75 percent of the approved costs for hazard mitigation projects undertaken by state, tribal and local governments to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural or technological disasters.
How to Apply for Assistance:
- Call 1-800-621-FEMA. Applicants should have the following information: Social Security number; current and pre-disaster address, a reachable telephone number, insurance information, annual household income, a routing and account number from a bank and a description of losses caused by the disaster.
- Receive a claim number and be mailed a form. The claim number is essential.
- Complete the form and mail it to FEMA.
- Applicants will be contacted after the form has been reviewed.
- A FEMA inspector will complete a report and there is a possibility applicants will receive a check in the mail. Enclosed will be a letter explaining allowed uses of the allocated money.
- Online applications will be available beginning today at http://www.fema.gov. The toll free number will be available beginning today from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week.
In response to major flooding that began early last week, President George W. Bush approved funding over the weekend from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for six Washington counties - Lewis, Thurston, Grays Harbor, Kitsap, Mason and Pacific. A special designation was made for residents of Lewis and Grays Harbor counties, who are eligible to receive individual cash grants up to $28,800.
Bush declared general funding in affected counties for debris clearing and other immediate needs on Saturday, just as state and Congressional politicians were touring the flood aftermath in a Washington National Guard helicopter. Funding eligibility for individuals was approved Sunday and also clears the way for Gov. Chris Gregoire to allow emergency state assistance in the form of unemployment benefits and food stamps.
FEMA Loans up to $1.5 million will be available for small businesses that have suffered disaster-related cash flow problems and need funds for working capital to recover from the disasters impact. Loans up to $500,000 will be available for farmers, ranchers and aquaculture operators to cover production and property losses, excluding primary residences.
As of press time this morning, the Lewis County Emergency Operations Center was dealing with an overload of phone calls and could not nail down figures on exactly how many county residents and businesses have been damaged by the flood. Preliminary estimates from the weekend held that at least 1,000 homes were damaged.
Dispatchers said based on reports they have collected, the county has at least $26.6 million in damage to public property, which does not include residences or businesses.
All of the flood victims who contacted the Department of Emergency Management over the past week to report initial damage assessments to their property need to call FEMA to enroll in the assistance program, said Lewis County Sheriffs Office Sgt. Stacey Brown. I cannot stress enough how important this step is. Some people may believe the only report they need to make is the initial assessment report, but this is not true. Even if you are covered by flood insurance, you still need to call FEMA in case there is some other assistance available to you.
Dan Schreiber covers county government and environmental issues for The Chronicle. He may be reached at 807-8239 or dschreiber@chronline.com.
