Some qualify for FEMA disaster assistance

Residents of 26 North Dakota counties may qualify for disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Individuals may qualify if their property sustained severe storm or flood damage after March 13.

The FEMA Individual Assistance is available to eligible applicants in the following counties: Adams, Barnes, Billings, Burleigh, Cass, Dickey, Emmons, Foster, Grand Forks, Griggs, Hettinger, Kidder, LaMoure, Logan, McIntosh, Mercer, Morton, Nelson, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Steele, Stutsman, Towner, Traill and Williams. Other counties may be added for Individual Assistance after further evaluation.

The Individual Assistance program includes a wide range of aid including emergency home repair, temporary disaster housing, replacement grants for serious disaster-related needs and expenses not covered by insurance or assistance programs.

FEMA disaster assistance covers basic needs only. It does not normally compensate for entire losses. For those insured, the government may help pay for basic needs not covered by insurance companies.

Residents must register before they are eligible for federal assistance. Filing damage reports with state or county emergency managers or voluntary agencies will not start the federal disaster-assistance process.

When applying for help, be sure to have the following information available:

* Current telephone number;

* Address at the time of the disaster and current address;

* Social Security number;

* General list of damages and losses;

* If insured, the name of the company, agent and policy number;

* Bank account coding to receive assistance via direct deposit.

FEMA disaster aid does not have to be paid back, while other help may come in the form of low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. For more details, call the toll-free number to speak to a FEMA representative.

The Small Business Administration offers low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes to repair or replace damaged or destroyed property. SBA also offers low-interest working capital loans (called Economic Injury Disaster Loans) to small businesses and most private, non-profit organizations having difficulty meeting obligations as a result of the disaster.

To apply for the assistance, call the toll-free application number or register online.

The toll-free number is 800-621-FEMA (3362) or 800-462-7585. The toll-free line is open from 6 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week until further notice. Residents can register online anytime at www.disasterassistance.gov.

Tags: disaster assistance, federal emergency management agency, flood damage, news, flood, fema