Residential Real Estate

Federal 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.

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