FEMA opens local offices to aid disaster victims

Officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency have now opened five Disaster Recovery Centers in Nebraska to help homeowners, renters and business owners with recovery from the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that began May 22.

In this area, a FEMA center has been opened in Kearney at the Mid-Town Business Center.

Other FEMA centers are located in Lexington, Schuyler, Ceresco and Omaha.

According to Mike Sweet, a FEMA official, residents, business owners or workers who suffered disaster-related losses in any of the 13 counties declared eligible for federal aid can visit any of the recovery centers for more information.

All Disaster Recovery Centers are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily (except Sunday)

The declared counties are Buffalo, Butler, Colfax, Dawson, Douglas, Gage, Hamilton, Jefferson, Kearney, Platte, Richardson, Sarpy and Saunders.

Sweet said that before going to a recovery center it is best to call FEMA at (800) 621-FEMA (3362), or register at www.fema.gov/assistance.

Those with special speech or hearing needs can call TTY (800) 462-7585. It will take 20 to 30 minutes to complete the application.

As part of the registration process, Sweet said, applicants are assigned a nine-digit registration number. He said they should be sure to write this number down and keep it safe. The number will be used to track their file.

Here are some of the services available at a Disaster Recovery Center:

n Guidance regarding disaster recovery.

n Clarification of any written correspondence received.

n Housing assistance and rental resource information.

n Answers to questions, resolution to problems and referrals to agencies that may provide further assistance.

n Status of applications being processed by FEMA.

n U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) program information, and assistance in completing an SBA disaster loan application.

n Information from representatives of other federal, state and local agencies.

n Flood insurance and mitigation counseling.

Sweet said residents visiting a center or calling in to register should have identification, Social Security numbers, insurance information, and proof of address and contact phone numbers on hand to help speed the application process.

Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Bush's major disaster declaration issued for Nebraska.

Assistance for affected individuals and families can include as required:

n Rental payments for temporary housing for those whose homes are unlivable.  Initial assistance may be provided for up to three months for homeowners and at least one month for renters.  Assistance may be extended if requested after the initial period based on a review of individual applicant requirements.

n Grants for home repairs and replacement of essential household items not covered by insurance to make damaged dwellings safe, sanitary and functional.

n Grants to replace personal property and help meet medical, dental, funeral, transportation and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other federal, state and charitable aid programs.

n Unemployment payments up to 26 weeks for workers who temporarily lost jobs because of the disaster and who do not qualify for state benefits, such as self-employed individuals.

n Low-interest loans to cover residential losses not fully compensated by insurance.  Loans available up to $200,000 for primary residence; $40,000 for personal property, including renter losses.  Loans available up to $1.5 million for business property losses not fully compensated by insurance.