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October 6, 2008Dear Neighbor,This week, President Bush approved a federal disaster declaration for DuPage and Cook Counties as requested by Governor Blagojevich and members of the Illinois CongressionalDelegation.As your Congressman, I was a strong and vocal advocate for this designation as it will allowlocal families and small businesses to access federal money and resources for help in recoveringfrom the recent severe storms throughout Illinois.This disaster declaration is an important step in moving forward from the damages caused byflooding and the storms. Below you will find additional information about the federal programsand resources now available. Please feel free to contact my office at (630) 893-9670 if we can beof assistance in your efforts to identify sources of federal aid.Very truly yours,Peter J. RoskamMember of Congress
Recovery Assistance Available for Local Families
The Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA)
is the primary agencycharged with providing disaster assistance.
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FEMA provides temporary housing, repair and replacement of homes for eligiblestorm affected families and individualsFor more information visit:www.fema.gov or call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Don’t wait; contact
FEMA immediately to see if you qualify for grants or low interest loans to cover the cost of cleanup and repairs due to flood damage.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
offers foreclosure relief, loanguarantee assistance and makes insurance available for mortgages and home rehabilitationFor more information visit: Visit www.hud.gov/info/disasterresources_dev.cfm
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) o
ffers federally subsidized, low-interest loansfor homeowners and renters to repair or replace homes, personal property or businesses. Thesmall business disaster assistance program also offers counseling and services to help you getyour business back on its feet.For more information call: 1-800-659-2955 or e-maildisastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
Financial Services:
Some banks permit early withdraws of time deposits without penalty.Contact your local financial institution to determine eligibility.
Legal Services:
FEMA provides free legal assistance to disaster victims. More information: Call877-396-6248 between 9AM and 5PM Central Time
Special Tax Considerations:
You may be able to deduct a casualty loss on your federal incometax return. You should save all food, travel and lodging receipts to ensure your tax deduction.Visit http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=156138,00.htmlfor more information.
The
Disaster Unemployment Assistance Program
provides unemployment benefits and re-employment services to individuals who have become unemployed because of major disasters
For more information visit:http://workforcesecurity.doleta.gov/unemploy/disaster.asp
Helpful Recovery Hints
BASIC TIPS FOR HANDLING YOUR INSURANCE CLAIM
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Contact your insurance company immediately and have your policy numbers availablewhen you call. If your insurer does not call you back or send an adjuster to your propertywithin three days call the Illinois Division of Insurance at 217-782-4515.
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Keep track of all expenses associated with the loss and keep copies of all your paperwork.
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Take photographs or video of the damage.
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If your property is partially damaged, try to protect it against further losses by makingtemporary repairs. Don't have repairs made until your insurance company has inspectedthe property and you have reached an agreement on the cost of repairs. Keep all receipts.
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If your home is unlivable ask your insurance company if you have coverage for additional living expenses.
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If you have damaged appliances, furniture, and other contents for which you will be filingclaims, don't throw damaged property away unless instructed to do so by your insuranceadjustor.
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Be sure to ask contractors for references and check them before you sign a contract for repairs, removal, or replacement.
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Obtain more than one estimate and get everything in writing.
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Notify creditors if bills have been lost or you are unable to pay. Also, notify the utilitycompany if your home is unlivable so you are not paying unnecessary utility bills.
OBTAINING FEDERAL ASSISTANCE THROUGH FEMA (Federal EmergencyManagement Agency)
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Register with FEMA. You can register by phone at 1-800-621-3362 or online atwww.fema.gov.Please wait 24-48 hrs to check the status of your application and hangonto the FEMA application number that will be given to you.
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Information needed to apply: Social Security number, current and pre-disaster address, acurrent phone number, insurance information, annual income, bank account information,and description of your losses.
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Disaster assistance available through FEMA includes housing needs, other than housingneeds, and additional services
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Housing needs include; temporary housing, repair, and replacement.
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Other than housing needs include; disaster related medical and dental costs,disaster related funeral and burial costs, clothing, household items, fuels for heat,clean up items, disaster damaged vehicle, and moving and storage expenses.
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Additional services include; crisis counseling, disaster unemployment assistance,legal services, and special tax considerations
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Disaster Recovery Centers are mobile FEMA offices. Some of the services they provideare guidance regarding disaster recovery, clarification of any written correspondencereceived, housing assistance and rental resource information, status of applications processed by FEMA, SBA program information.
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