Public Assistance under a Presidential Disaster Declaration Click Here
Assistance Available Under A Governor's Proclaimation
Low-income Iowans may now apply for state grants of up to $3,319 to replace storm-caused losses under legislation signed by Gov. Chet Culver. Click here to download forms.
Legislation enables the governor, by declaring a weather disaster, to launch a special $1 million state assistance program.
Applications may be completed by households whose annual income is 130 percent or less of federal poverty guidelines, which is $13,273 for a single individual, $17,797 for a family of two and $26,845 for a family of four.
An application form with instructions is available on the front page of the Department of Human Services website or applicants may go to any county office of the Iowa Department of Human Services or to any county emergency management office.
The Iowa Department of Human Services has set up a toll free hotline ( 866-434-4692 ) for those with questions.
Applicants must provide receipts for qualifying uninsured expenses. Here are examples of reimbursable expenses:
Up to $1,000 will be available to reimburse storm-caused expenses for making the dwelling safe, sanitary, and secure.
Up to $300 for an electrician to help bring power back to a dwelling.
Up to $560 will be available for storm-related damage to appliances or food.
Up to $425 for purchase and installation of a water heater.
Up to $500 for damage to a vehicle.
Up to $50 a day for lodging or rental expenses in case the storm forced residents to leave their homes.
The total award provided to a household will not exceed $3,319. Generators are not covered by the program.
Completed applications will be taken to the county emergency management coordinator. A list of county emergency management offices is available at the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management website. Look for the Iowa Assistance Program link on the front page.
Applicants must indicate that their household income meets the income eligibility test. Income includes wages, child support, retirement income, and Social Security.
Staying Safe and Finding Resources When You’re Water-logged
Across the state people are “saturated” with storm-related problems ranging from damp basements to the loss of homes. Additional problems can result from mold, loss of highways, scam-artist contractors, stress and more. Here are valuable resources offered by state agencies to help you dry out safely.
• The Dept. of Health & Family Services offers safety tips for dealing with flooding,
including steps to take if you need to evacuate your home or clean up water damage; water and food safety; how to prevent common injuries; and special tips for keeping kids safe from injury and contamination.
• The Iowa Disaster Reimbursement Grant Program provides limited financial assistance in the event of a Governor's Disaster Proclamation for eligible households that have disaster-related needs and are unable to meet such needs through other means. Iowans with household incomes of up to 133 percent of federal poverty guidelines may apply for a grant of up to $3,300 to help recover from damages. Applicants must include receipts when applying for help as this is a reimbursement program. The program is administered by the Iowa Department of Human Services
• It’s time to stock up on bug repellent! DHS also reminds us that even those not directly affected by water damage will likely face increased risk of mosquito-borne diseases like West Nile Virus and encephalitis. The link above has ideas for reducing your exposure to these serious illnesses.
• Don’t get delayed by an unexpected detour. The Dept. of Transportation offers a list of closed roads and incident reports.
• The Dept. of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection warns us against “storm chasers” scam artists who contract to do clean-up but skip town or provide substandard services.
• Whether the damage involves lost precious family photos, sewage in the basement, or extensive damage to your home, DATCP also has a good article on recovering from the emotional aftermath of a disaster.
• Concerned about the safety of your well or municipal drinking water? The Dept. of Natural Resources offers guidance on this and other flood-related information.
Following a presidential disaster declaration, assistance becomes available to those who have been affected. Disaster assistance falls under two basic categories:
Individual Assistance (IA) is available for individuals and businesses following a presidential disaster declaration. This assistance includes grants, loans, and other services to affected citizens.
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