Residential Real EstateFederal Disaster Aid: What is it? How Do You Get It?
President Clinton declared 11 Oklahoma counties as disaster areas following
a series of tornadoes which reached F5 levels of destructive forces, entitling
the state"s affected residents to Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster relief funds.
Last year, 20 southeastern
Texas counties were designated disaster areas. Regions in Alabama, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri and Puerto Rico were previously designated
as disaster areas warranting FEMA aid, due to storms, flooding and other harsh
weather. What does FEMA do and how do residents apply for federal aid?
FEMA says its programs kick in only after the state declares an emergency,
followed by a presidential declaration. The programs are then available to the
extent that private insurance isn"t or when private insurance does not provide
benefits to completely cover losses.
For those eligible, the agency offers a number of programs.
Temporary housing
The temporary housing program offers grants to residents displaced by
disaster. Initial grants include one month"s rent for displaced renters and up
to three months" rent for displaced homeowners. Additional grants may be
available on a case-by-case basis and the grants are based on the going market
rate for temporary or rental housing in the disaster area.
Minimal repair program
If your home was damaged FEMA offers grants for structural repairs on homes.
The grants are only enough to make your home habitable as quickly as possible.
-- but only enough to make them habitable as quickly as possible.
Individual and family grants
Funded by FEMA but administered by the state, individual and family grants
are available to cover medical, funeral, transportation and personal property
losses.
Disaster unemployment
Administered by your state, this program provides benefits similar to
unemployment benefits for those who temporarily lose jobs or hours on the job
and do not otherwise qualify for state benefits. The benefits are based on your
past income and are paid for up to 26 weeks.
Low interest loans
Home loans are available through the Small Business Administration to cover
disaster damage to primary residences. Additional loans are available to cover
personal property losses, including losses suffered by renters. The lowest
rates go to those who exhibit the least ability to repay.
FEMA also makes business loans available for property losses and for
cash-flow problems stemming from the disaster.
Farmers, ranchers and aquaculture operators can be eligible for loans from
the Farm Services Agency.
These loans cover production and property losses, but not primary residences.
Additional assistance
FEMA also funds up to 75 percent of the costs of removing debris from public
areas and for emergency measures to save lives and protect property. And it
will pay a 75 percent share of costs for mitigation and rebuilding later to
reduce disaster destruction in the event of a future flood.
The federal agency also funds trauma crisis counseling programs, income tax
assistance for filing casualty losses, legal assistance, veterans benefits and
help with Social Security issues.
For specific dollar amounts on grants and loans and more information on all
FEMA programs, visit the FEMA Web site.