FLOOD ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE
August 13, 2004
To the Editor,
As residents begin the process of restoring their homes and businesses following the flood of Aug. 1, 2004, I want them to know that there are places to turn for assistance, including my offices.
If your home or property was damaged during the recent flood, the first thing that you should do is to call the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s toll-free number to register for disaster assistance at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. This line is answered from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.
By calling this number you are registered to receive assistance, which can be in the form of grants or low-interest loans. Grants and loans are issued on a case-by-case basis, depending largely upon the type of damage sustained to your home or its contents. If you have flood insurance, you must use that insurance first.
Grants (of up to $5,000) are given to ensure your home is safe, sanitary and secure, but are limited. If your home is not structurally safe, funds are also available to help temporarily relocate you while your home is being repaired.
Beyond grants, low-interest loans (up to $200,000 for structural repairs and up to $40,000 for contents) are available. Businesses may be eligible to borrow up to $1.5 million. If you do not qualify for low-interest loans, there is a third tier “other needs assistance” for which you may qualify.
No matter what your
income level, if your home or business or its contents were damaged, you
should register with FEMA. FEMA will send someone to your home or
business and assess the damage and talk to you about the grants and
loans that will be available to you. Each situation is different, so
each relief package will be different.
My office is available to not only help you get in touch with state
agencies, but also can help you replace driver’s licenses, birth
certificates, registration cards or other state related paperwork that
were damaged or lost during the flood. My staff can act as a liaison
with the Insurance Department, if you are having difficulties with
insurance claims, or will help you contact the Department of
Environmental Protection if you have environmental cleanup issues.
For other needs, you are welcome to visit the Disaster Recovery Center, which is located at 6904 Market St. (corner of 69th and Market) in Upper Darby. This center is open to residents from Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Aug. 20 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 21. The center can provide information on application status, as well as help completing loan applications for homeowners, renters and businesses, and rebuilding tips to protect families and businesses from future storms.
Remember that individuals, families, farmers and businesses are eligible for federal assistance if they live or own a business in a county declared a Major Disaster Area, incur sufficient property damage or loss, and (depending on the type of assistance), do not have the insurance or resources to meet their needs.
Don’t second guess whether or not you will qualify; call and register with FEMA. If my office can be of assistance to you or your family now or in the future, please don’t hesitate to call. We are ready to help.
Sincerely,
Constance H. Williams
State Senator
17th District