Now that President Clinton has named six West Virginia countiesfederal disaster areas, flood victims can start applying for disasterhousing, grants and low cost loans.
Braxton, Gilmer, Jackson, Kanawha, Roane and Wood counties areeligible for federal disaster assistance. Victims should call theFederal Emergency Management Agency at (800) 462-9029.
The number for the hearing and speech impaired is (800) 462-7585(TTY).
Federal damage assessment teams were to spread across the statetoday to estimate the amount of damage in the six counties wheredisaster has been declared.
The teams were planning to inspect additional counties to decidewhether to add others to the list of disaster areas. Gov. CecilUnderwood declared a state of emergency in 24 counties this week.
Although the initial emergency is over, state officials said muchwork is yet to be done cleaning homes and businesses devastated bythe flooding.
"We're going to be doing a lot of trash hauling today," said ClayCarney, a spokesman for the state Office of Emergency Services.
"We'll be hauling the debris out of there to make sure therearen't any health problems."
The best way people can help is with their bodies, said JeffHarbour, the director of support services for Kanawha CountyAmbulance.
Harbour urged people to take some time out of their IndependenceDay celebrations and travel to hard-hit areas like Frame, whereresidents face the daunting task of cleaning up.
Most cleanup efforts are being coordinated out of local volunteerfire stations. Frame's is on Poca Fork Road, and Harbour suggestedvolunteers report there.
"The big thing people need is a helping hand," Harbour said.
Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance can include:
- Low interest loans
Most, but not all federal assistance, is in the form of lowinterest loans to cover expenses not covered by state or localprograms or private insurance.
People who do not qualify for loans may be able to apply for acash grant. If you qualify, your check will be issued in about threeweeks.
The Farm Service Agency and Small Business Administration offerlow interest loans to eligible individuals, farmers and businesses torepair or replace damaged property not covered by insurance.
Loans are available up to $200,000 for primary residences and$40,000 for personal property, including renter losses.
Loans are available up to $1.5 million for business propertylosses.
Loans may be up to $500,000 for farmers, ranchers and aquacultureoperators to cover production and property losses, excluding primaryresidence.
- Cash grants for up to $13,400 adjusted annually for inflation
People who don't qualify for a Small Business Administration loanmay be eligible for these grants from FEMA and the state to helprecover uninsured property losses.
The grants can include rental payments for temporary housing forthose whose homes are unlivable. Initial assistance is up to threemonths for homeowners and one month for renters.
Home inspections are normally conducted before a check is issued.FEMA funds 75 percent of the grant program's eligible costs with theremaining 25 percent covered by the state. The state administers theprogram.
Grants can also help meet medical, funeral and transportationcosts not covered by insurance or other aid programs. Typical grantsaverage about $2,500.
- Housing assistance
FEMA's Disaster Housing Assistance Program makes funds andtemporary housing available to individuals whose home is unlivablebecause of a disaster.
- Veterans benefits
The Department of Veterans Affairs provides death benefits,pensions, insurance settlements and adjustments to home mortgages forveterans.
- Tax refunds
The Internal Revenue Service allows certain casualty losses to bededucted on federal income tax returns for the year of the loss orthrough an immediate amendment to the previous year's return.
- Unemployment benefits
Benefits up to 26 weeks for workers who temporarily lost jobsbecause of the disaster and who do not qualify for state benefits.
- Crisis counseling
The state Department of Health and Human Resources, the AmericanRed Cross and local churches and synagogues may offer counseling topeople who have experienced disaster.
- Free legal counseling
The Young Lawyers Division of the American Bar Association,through an agreement with FEMA, provides free legal advice for lowincome individuals regarding cases that will not produce a fee.
Cases that may generate a fee are turned over to the local lawyerreferral service.
- State and local governments
State and local governments may receive payment of 75 percent ofthe costs for removing debris from public areas and for emergencymeasures taken to save lives and protect property and public health.
The payments also may extend to hazard mitigation projects toprevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural ortechnological disasters.
Underwood praised the decision to name the six counties disasterareas.
"West Virginians have suffered greatly over the past few days, andI am heartened to see that federal aid is now becoming available,"the governor stated in a news release.
Reporter Karin Fischer contributed to this story.
Brad McElhinny can be reached at 348-1244.
No comments:
Post a Comment