More than $2.3 Million Approved for Ohio Recovery

A total of $2,321,846 in grants for disaster-related repairs and costs has been approved for disaster assistance in Ohio since the Presidential declaration of Feb. 15, according to figures released by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Ohio Emergency Management Agency.

Disaster recovery officials urge anyone who suffered damages or loss from the winter storms and flooding that occurred between Dec. 22, 2004 and Feb. 1, 2005 to apply for assistance by calling the FEMA toll-free registration number 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Those with speech or hearing impairment can call TTY 1-800-462-7585. Both lines are open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. They may also register through the Internet at www.fema.gov. The deadline to apply for assistance is April 18.

The following is an update of recovery activities as of March 7:

* 2,603 individuals from the declared counties had called to apply for assistance;
* 321 people had visited Disaster Recovery and Outreach Centers;
* 947 temporary housing assistance grants were approved, totaling $1,664,238;
* 483 Other Needs Assistance grants were approved, totaling $606,001 – may include grants for medical, dental, funeral, personal property, transportation and other eligible expenses;
* 1,723 U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster loan applications were issued: 1,525 to homeowners, 198 to business owners.

Individuals and families whose permanent homes were damaged or destroyed in the disaster and are in a declared county may be eligible for the Individuals and Households Program.

This assistance may be used for temporary disaster housing assistance; repairing disaster-damaged, uninsured homes to a habitable condition and replacement grants for serious, disaster related needs and expenses not covered by insurance or other assistance programs. These individuals will receive flood insurance for three years.

The SBA has issued 1,723 low-interest loan applications to homeowners, renters and business owners throughout Ohio. Officials urge affected residents to complete and return their loan paperwork as soon as possible, even if they have not received a final settlement from their insurance company. If the loan application is not returned, eligibility for other forms of disaster assistance may be affected.