ILLINOIS RESIDENTS AID IS OVER $94 MILLION

FROM:  FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANGEMENT AGENCY
Federal Disaster Aid to Illinois Residents Tops $94 Million

June 14, 2013
Release Number:
IL-4116 NR-052

AURORA, Ill. – Federal assistance in Illinois has reached more than $94 million, distributed among more than 35,400 individuals and households, since a major disaster was declared for the state May 10.


The latest summary of federal assistance to individuals and households for losses due to the severe storms and flooding between April 16 and May 5 includes:
More than $94 million in FEMA grants approved for individuals and households;
Of that amount, more than $82 million has been approved for housing assistance, including temporary rental assistance and home repair costs;
More than $12 million has been approved to cover other essential disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses and damaged personal possessions;
More than 49,500 home inspections have been completed to confirm disaster damage;
More than $12.8 million in loans to homeowners, renters or business owners has been approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration; and
More than 3,000 visits have been made to Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) operated jointly by FEMA and the state of Illinois.
Residents of 33 counties in the major disaster declaration have until July 9 to register for federal assistance. Three Disaster Recovery Centers closed this week – in Peoria, Rock Island and Woodford counties. FEMA staff continues to set up temporary offices in affected locations to provide registration assistance.

Public Assistance (PA) was previously approved for 24 Illinois counties. Another 15 counties were added this week bringing the total to 39 counties. Eligible counties now include Adams, Bureau, Calhoun, Carroll, Cass, Clark, Crawford, DuPage, Fulton, Greene, Grundy, Hancock, Henderson, Kendall, Knox, Lake, LaSalle, Lawrence, Livingston, Marshall, Mason, McHenry, McDonough, Mercer, Monroe, Morgan, Ogle, Peoria, Pike, Putnam, Rock Island, Schuyler, Scott, Shelby, Stark, Tazewell, Warren, Will and Woodford.

PA provides local governments and certain eligible nonprofits with funding for debris removal, emergency protective measures and infrastructure repairs such as building roads and bridges. This assistance is on a cost-sharing basis with FEMA paying 75 percent and the remainder the responsibility of the state and local governments. State-led applicant briefings are under way.

Hazard Mitigation teams are located at six home improvement stores to provide information on how to repair or rebuild stronger and safer to help avoid damage from future storms.

Once they have registered, survivors can keep the process moving forward by using these tips:
Keep critical appointments. A FEMA-contracted inspector will make an appointment to visit the property. Homeowners should be there for the inspection, or authorize someone who is 18 or older and lived in the home at the time of the disaster to represent them during the inspection.
Read all FEMA letters and documents. Applicants deemed eligible for disaster assistance will receive a letter from FEMA providing guidance on the disaster relief grant. The document will explain ways the money can be spent for recovery and explain that federal assistance may have to be repaid if it is duplicated by insurance or other assistance received.
Return forms and respond promptly. Sometimes FEMA sends letters indicating that more information is necessary before approval. Applicants should read the correspondence carefully and promptly return the necessary information.
Stay in touch with FEMA to update an address, phone number or e-mail address.