More than $8 Million in Aid to Ind. Residents

A total of $8,100, 598 in grants has been approved for assistance for 59 percent of the claims in Indiana since the disaster declaration on Jan. 21, according to figures released by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Indiana State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA). Disaster officials added that the number of approved claims will continue to rise as more applications are processed.

The following is an update of recovery activities as of close of business Thursday, Feb. 17.

* 9,711 individuals from the 85 declared counties have applied for assistance.
* 5,719 claims have been approved for the Individuals and Household Program totaling $8,100,598.22 in grants.
* 1,322 people have visited one of the 20 Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) that were temporarily opened in various locations to help meet the needs of disaster victims.
* 4,221 home loan and 671 business loan applications have been issued by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
* SBA has approved loans totaling $81,100 as of Feb. 16. SBA officials encourage anyone who has received an application from the SBA to turn it in as soon as possible in order to be eligible for any further assistance.

Individuals and households program

Individuals and families whose permanent homes were damaged or destroyed by the recent severe winter storms and flooding that occurred between Jan. 1 and Feb. 11, and are in one of the 85 declared counties in Indiana, 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 safe, sanitary and functional condition and replacement grants for serious, disaster-related needs and expenses not covered by insurance or other assistance programs.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)

Residents of the 85 disaster-declared counties who temporarily lost jobs because of the disaster have one week remaining to apply for disaster unemployment assistance. Eligible persons include: self-employed, farmers and others who are out of work as a direct result of the disaster and do not normally qualify for unemployment benefits. Those interested in disaster unemployment assistance should call 1-888-WORKONE or log on to the Department of Workforce Development Web site at www.workforce.IN.gov/dwd/. The deadline to apply for DUA for all 85 counties is Feb. 26, 2005.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

The SBA has issued 4,892 loan applications to homeowners, renters and/or business owners. Officials urge applicants to complete 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 it will delay other forms of disaster assistance. SBA representatives are available at all Disaster Recovery Centers and SBA Disaster Outreach Centers to help applicants who need assistance completing their loan paperwork.