Disaster Assistance

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State of Illinois

 Federal Disaster Declaration Fact Sheet 

August 19, 2010

On August 19, 2010, President Obama issued a major disaster declaration for the State of Illinois, triggering the release of Federal funds to help communities recover from the Severe Storms and Flooding which occurred July 22 to August 7, 2010.  Details of the disaster declaration and assistance programs are as follows:

Declaration Number:        FEMA-1935-DR

Incident:        Severe Storms and Flooding
   
Incident Period:        July 22 to August 7, 2010

Federal Coordinating Officer:        Gregory W. Eaton
             National FCO Program

Individual Assistance:     INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE
    (Assistance to individuals and households):
      
Designated Counties:    Carroll, Cook, DuPage, Jo Daviess, Ogle, Stephenson, and Winnebago Counties.

Hazard Mitigation:        HAZARD MITIGATION GRANT PROGRAM (Assistance to State and local governments and certain private non-profit organizations for actions taken to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural hazards):

Designated Counties:    All counties in the State of Illinois are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

OTHER:    Additional designations may be made at a later date after further evaluation.

 

Disaster Recovery Centers in 7th Congressional District

 

Austin Area Disaster Recovery Center

(Former Old Navy building)

Washington Square

4905 W. North Ave.

Chicago, IL 60639

 

 

 

St. Joseph High School

1840 Mayfair Ave.

(West entrance via Oxford Street)

Westchester, IL 60154

 

 

 Click here for more info on assistance to individuals and households

Click here for more info on the SNAP (food stamp) disaster assistance disaster snap program august 2010

Click here for info on SBA disaster Assistance sba fact sheet il 12290

 

 BEWARE:  SCAMS MAY FOLLOW STORMS

LISLE, Ill. — Fraud abounds everywhere, and natural disasters are no exception.

 

Residents in the disaster area may be approached by scam artists offering “help.” If there is any doubt, do not give out information, and report people claiming to be government workers to local authorities. To safeguard against disaster-related fraud, officials recommend the following precautions:

 

• Ask for official, laminated, photo ID. A FEMA shirt or U.S. Small Business Administration jacket is not absolute proof of identity.
• Safeguard personal information. Do not give personal information such as Social Security and bank account numbers unless you initiate the call. FEMA inspectors never require this information. Applicants wanting direct deposit for grant assistance are asked for bank account information after they call or go online to apply; on follow-up calls, a FEMA representative may ask only for the last four digits of an applicant’s Social Security number to verify identity.
• Beware of people going door-to-door. People going door-to-door to damaged homes, or phoning homeowners claiming to be building contractors could be scam artists, especially if they solicit financial information.
• FEMA Community Relations staff distribute flyers that mention personal information such as Social Security and bank account numbers. However, they will not solicit this personal information from applicants; they are merely telling what information applicants should have on hand to apply for help.
• Federal workers do not solicit or accept money. FEMA and SBA staff never charge applicants for disaster assistance, inspections or help in filling out applications. FEMA inspectors verify damage, but do not hire or endorse specific contractors to fix homes or recommend repairs.

 

Suspicious activity should be reported to local authorities or to the FEMA application Helpline at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) TTY -800-462-7585. The same number can be used to apply for FEMA assistance, or go online to www.disasterassistance.gov.