Following is a
summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available
as needed and warranted under President Bush’s major disaster
declaration issued for New Hampshire.
Assistance for Affected Individuals and Families Can Include as Required:
- Rental payments for temporary housing for those whose homes are
unlivable. Initial assistance may be provided for up to three months
for homeowners and at least one month for renters. Assistance may be
extended if requested after the initial period based on a review of
individual applicant requirements. (Source: FEMA funded and administered.)
- Grants for home repairs and replacement of essential household
items not covered by insurance to make damaged dwellings safe, sanitary
and functional. (Source: FEMA funded and administered.)
- Grants to replace personal property and help meet medical,
dental, funeral, transportation and other serious disaster-related
needs not covered by insurance or other federal, state and charitable
aid programs. (Source: FEMA funded at 75 percent of total eligible costs; 25 percent funded by the state.)
- Unemployment payments up to 26 weeks for workers who
temporarily lost jobs because of the disaster and who do not qualify
for state benefits, such as self-employed individuals. (Source: FEMA funded; state administered.)
- Low-interest loans to cover residential losses not fully
compensated by insurance. Loans available up to $200,000 for primary
residence; $40,000 for personal property, including renter losses.
Loans available up to $1.5 million for business property losses not
fully compensated by insurance. (Source: U.S. Small Business Administration.)
- Loans up to $1.5 million for small businesses that have
suffered disaster-related cash flow problems and need funds for working
capital to recover from the disaster's adverse economic impact. This
loan in combination with a property loss loan cannot exceed a total of
$1.5 million. (Source: U.S. Small Business Administration.)
- Loans up to $500,000 for farmers, ranchers and aquaculture
operators to cover production and property losses, excluding primary
residence. (Source: Farm Service Agency, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.)
- Other relief programs: Crisis counseling for those traumatized
by the disaster; income tax assistance for filing casualty losses;
advisory assistance for legal, veterans benefits and social security
matters.
Assistance for the State and Affected Local Governments Can Include as Required:
- Payment of 75 percent of the approved costs for hazard mitigation
projects undertaken by state and local governments to prevent or reduce
long-term risk to life and property from natural or technological
disasters. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)
How to Apply for Assistance:
- Those in the counties designated for assistance to affected
residents and business owners can begin the disaster application
process by registering online at www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired.
The toll-free telephone numbers are available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
(local time) seven days a week until further notice. Applicants
registering for aid should be prepared to provide basic information
about themselves (name, permanent address, phone number), insurance
coverage and any other information to help substantiate losses.
- Application procedures for local governments will be
explained at a series of federal/state applicant briefings with
locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials.
Approved public repair projects are paid through the state from funding
provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies.
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