Disaster Aid Available to ND Individuals, Families, Businesses
Funds can help with housing, other needs
Release Date: June 24, 2011Release Number: 1981-004
Disaster assistance is now available to residents and businesses in Ward and Burleigh counties for damages caused by flooding that began Feb. 14 and continuing.
State and federal officials encourage those affected by the disaster to register for assistance immediately by calling this toll-free number: 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585. The toll-free line will be in operation from 6 a.m. to 12 a.m. (MDT) until further notice. Registration can be accomplished anytime at www.disasterassistance.gov. FEMA’s 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. For those insured, the government may help pay for basic needs not covered by insurance.
Officials remind affected residents they must register with FEMA at the above numbers or online to be eligible for all forms of federal assistance. Filing damage reports with state or county emergency managers or voluntary agencies will not start the federal disaster assistance process.
Officials advise applicants to have the following information available when applying for assistance:
•Current telephone number;
•Address at the time of the disaster and current address; •Social Security number, if available;
•A general list of damages and losses suffered;•In cases where the applicant is insured, the names of the company and agent, as well as the policy number;
•Bank account coding for those who wish to speed up assistance by using direct deposit.
FEMA disaster assistance covers basic needs only and does not normally compensate eligible applicants for their entire losses. FEMA disaster aid is generally offered in the form of grants that do not have to be paid back.
SBA offers low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes to repair or replace damaged or destroyed private property. SBA also offers low-interest working capital loans, called Economic Injury Disaster Loans, to small businesses and most private, non-profit organizations.