Disaster Assistance Exceeds $3 Million

OLYMPIA—More than $3 million in federal disaster assistance has been paid to Washington residents to help them recover from January’s severe winter storms, announced officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Washington Emergency Management Division (WEMD).
 
As of the close of business Thursday, 1,991 homeowners and renters have applied for disaster assistance. Inspectors have visited 1,261 homes. Grants awarded to date total $3,061,738, which includes:
•    $2,954,502 in housing assistance to cover temporary rental assistance, home repairs and replacement.
•    $107,236 in other needs assistance to cover essential personal property losses, medical, dental, funeral, transportation or other serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance.

Applicants can register for FEMA assistance by calling, toll-free, 1-800-621-3362 (FEMA), TTY 1-800-462-7585, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week, or register online at www.disasterassistance.gov.

Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) have been set up across the state as a resource for Washington residents. DRCs are established to help people without telephone or Internet service register and to answer specific questions about disaster assistance programs, registration and eligibility. It is not necessary to visit a Recovery Center to register for assistance.

printer friendly