Illinois Residents and Businesses with Severe Storm and Flood Damage Must Apply for Federal Disaster Assistance by Next Week

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The FEMA / SBA deadline to apply for disaster damages is Wednesday, November 17

Chicago, IL, November 8, 2010 — Disaster Updates (http://www.DisasterUpdates.com), a disaster news site, urges all Illinois homeowners, renters and businesses in federally declared disaster counties to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as soon as possible for damage from the severe storms and flooding occurring July 19 – August 7.

Those eligible to register include homeowners, renters, businesses and non-profits in Carroll, Cook, DuPage, Jo Daviess, Ogle, Stephenson, and Winnebago counties who suffered property damage or were otherwise affected by the severe weather outbreak.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs and low-cost loans to cover property damages to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster. Federal assistance may include cleaning and testing of flood-damaged furnaces for homeowners.

FEMA assistance grants are not taxable as income and do not affect Social Security benefits or eligibility for welfare programs such as food stamps.

Calling FEMA is the first step in the recovery process as FEMA will determine which disaster programs are appropriate for each caller.

“Don’t listen to your friends or neighbors to determine your eligibility for disaster assistance,” said Dave Miller, spokesperson for Disaster Updates. “Everyone’s situation is unique… so call FEMA and let FEMA decide if you are eligible for any disaster help.”

Mr. Miller added, “You should not wait on insurance, damage estimates, or repairs before calling FEMA. The deadline for FEMA registration is fast approaching. If you miss the deadline, you miss your chance for help you could have received.”

Individuals and businesses who suffered damages may register with FEMA by calling 1-800-621-3362 or go online at http://www.disasterassistance.gov.

Small Business Administration (SBA) loans are the largest source of disaster funds to repair or replace damaged property.

If those with property damage receive a Small Business Administration (SBA) loan application, they must complete and return it by the same November 17 deadline to ensure they are considered for all forms of assistance. Homeowners and renters who apply to SBA but cannot afford a loan may be referred back to FEMA for possible additional grant assistance, and there is never an obligation to take a SBA loan if one offered.

FEMA and SBA contact information can be reviewed anytime at DisasterUpdates.com along with information on disaster preparedness, recovery and mitigation.

Disaster Updates (http://www.DisasterUpdates.com) is a disaster information portal that provides one-stop access for disaster news, resources and FEMA help 24/7. Disaster Updates was designed by a disaster expert with over 20 years of disaster experience. His disaster work includes such major disasters as Hurricane Katrina, the Northridge Earthquake and the 9/11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.

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