Hoeven Calls on FEMA to Approve Individual Assistance for Flood-Affected Individuals

Press Release

Hoeven Calls on FEMA to Approve Individual Assistance for Flood-Affected Individuals

Based on recently completed documentation by Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) teams, North Dakota Gov. John Hoeven today called on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to approve the federal Individual Assistance Program for flood-affected individuals and businesses throughout North Dakota.

He also requested the addition of Griggs, Steele, Towner and Traill counties to the list of those included in the presidential disaster declaration of March 24, 2009. Those include.

"In a letter to FEMA acting director Douglas A. Gore, Hoeven wrote: "Based upon findings of the PDA, I have determined the severity and magnitude of this incident... requires Federal assistance. As a result, I am requesting implementation of the Individual Assistance Programs, to include the Individual Household and other Needs Programs, Disaster Unemployment Assistance, Crisis Counseling, Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) assistance."

Hoeven, who has spoken with President Obama, Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano, and other federal officials to expedite approval, said the program will be valuable to people and businesses facing housing and employment issues.

Together, the various programs under the individual assistance program can help people pay for temporary housing, repairs to their homes, and funding toward replacement of a home that has been totally destroyed. It also includes "Other Need Assistance," which may cover medical, dental, funeral, transportation, moving and storage, and other expenses associated with the disaster for qualified individuals. Individuals who have lost their jobs, are unable to reach their place of work, or who cannot work due to a disaster-related injury may also be eligible for assistance.

The Small Business Administration can also provide low interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, non-profit organizations to repair or replace real estate, personal property, machinery and equipment, inventory and business assets that have been damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster.

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