$2.8 Million In FEMI Grants Approved For Missouri in Sept 11-24 Flooding Aid

Nearly $2.8 million in disaster aid has been approved in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants for Missouri residents suffering damage from the severe storms, flooding and tornado during the period of Sept. 11-24, state and federal officials announced today.

Below is a recovery summary as of the close of business Nov. 28, 2008 for the Individual Assistance program in the declared counties of Boone, Callaway, Chariton, Lewis, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Osage, Schuyler, St. Charles, St. Louis, Stone, Taney, Texas, and Webster Counties and the Independent City of St. Louis.

o More than $2.1 million has been approved in housing assistance to help disaster-affected Missourians with temporary housing and home repairs. Another $603,956 has been approved for Other Needs Assistance (ONA), which may include the repair or replacement of personal property and disaster-related transportation, moving, medical, and funeral expenses. Missouri provides 25 percent of ONA money provided to applicants.

o 1,855 individuals have applied for assistance by calling the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) toll-free registration number. The deadline to apply for assistance is Jan. 12, 2008.

o 1,465 damage inspections have been completed. Those who may be awaiting an inspector are reminded to keep their appointments to speed recovery assistance.

o 348 people visited the Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) in University City, Troy, and St. Louis, MO, to talk face-to-face with recovery specialists, get help with U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loan application, or check the status of their applications and how to mitigate against future losses. A representative or disaster information from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is also available to assist with disaster losses. Referral information is available for other agencies providing disaster assistance.

o A disaster stress hotline is available through the LifeRAFT Crisis line, 1-866-384-1254. A counselor is available to help those impacted in a disaster to understand their current situation and reactions.

o The Young Lawyers Section of the Missouri Bar disaster hotline at 1-800-829-4128 is available to assist people in the disaster-affected counties with basic legal questions, such as replacing lost documents, housing/landlord/tenant disputes, mortgage foreclosure information, consumer rights, and insurance questions. Leave a message to receive a call from a legal specialist. There is no charge for the service.

o Internal Revenue Service (IRS) information on how to claim disaster losses and other information can be found at www.irs.gov (click on storms, floods, tornadoes and other disasters and then choose Missouri). The IRS toll-free number for general tax questions is 1-800-829-1040.

Disaster assistance is not taxable.

Leave a Reply