Individual Assistance

Important note: you must contact the Emergency Management Coordinator in the municipality you live in to report your damage after a disaster.

Individual Assistance is comprised of many different programs. The main program is the Individuals and Households Program that provides assistance for disaster victims and their households. This program has two sides, Housing Assistance and Other Needs Assistance.

Housing Assistance provides for temporary housing, repair assistance, and replacement assistance and is 100% federally funded. Other Needs Assistance provides for other needs such as personal property, medical and funeral expenses and is a 75% federal and 25% state cost share.

The Small Business Administration may also be able to provide low-interest loans for individual and businesses. Often this may be the only type of assistance that a community or area is eligible for depending on the nature of the event.

Other types of assistance are available including:

  • Crisis Counseling
  • Disaster Unemployment Assistance
  • Emergency Food Stamps
  • Legal Counseling
  • Tax Adjustments
  • Veterans' Benefits

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Agriculture

Returning Home After a Disaster - General Tips

Don't return to a flood-damaged home before the area is declared to be safe by local officials. Returning home can be both physically and mentally challenging. Above all, use caution.

Check for injuries. Do not attempt to move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of death or further injury. If you must move an unconscious person, first stabilize the neck and back, then call for help immediately.

  • Keep a battery-powered radio with you so you can listen for emergency updates and news reports.
  • Use a battery-powered flash light to inspect a damaged home. Note: The flashlight should be turned on outside before entering - the battery may produce a spark that could ignite leaking gas, if present.
  • Watch out for animals, especially poisonous snakes. Use a stick to poke through debris.
  • Be wary of wildlife and other animals.
  • Use the phone only to report life-threatening emergencies.
  • Stay off the streets. If you must go out, watch for fallen objects; downed electrical wires; and weakened walls, bridges, roads, and sidewalks.

Before You Enter Your Home

Walk carefully around the outside and check for loose power lines, gas leaks, and structural damage. If you have any doubts about safety, have your residence inspected by a qualified building inspector or structural engineer before entering.

Do not enter if:

  • You smell gas.
  • Floodwaters remain around the building.
  • Your home was damaged by fire and the authorities have not declared it safe.

Going Inside Your Home:
When you go inside your home, there are certain things you should and should not do. Enter the home carefully and check for damage. Be aware of loose boards and slippery floors. The following items are other things to check inside your home:

Natural Gas:
If you smell gas or hear a hissing or blowing sound, open a window and leave immediately. Turn off the main gas valve from the outside, if you can. Call the gas company from a neighbor's residence. If you shut off the gas supply at the main valve, you will need a professional to turn it back on. Do not smoke or use oil, gas lanterns, candles, or torches for lighting inside a damaged home until you are sure there is no leaking gas or other flammable materials present.

Sparks, Broken or Frayed Wires:
Check the electrical system unless you are wet, standing in water, or unsure of your safety. If possible, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. If the situation is unsafe, leave the building and call for help. Do not turn on the lights until you are sure they're safe to use. You may want to have an electrician inspect your wiring.

Roof, Foundation, and Chimney Cracks:
If it looks like the building may collapse, leave immediately.

Appliances:
If appliances are wet, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. Then, unplug appliances and let them dry out. Have appliances checked by a professional before using them again. Also, have the electrical system checked by an electrician before turning the power back on.

Water & Sewage Systems:
If pipes are damaged, turn off the main water valve. Check with local authorities before using any water; the water could be contaminated. Pump out wells and have the water tested by authorities before drinking. Do not flush toilets until you know that sewage lines are intact.

Food & Other Supplies:
Throw out all food and other supplies that you suspect may have become contaminated or come in to contact with floodwater. Your basement. If your basement has flooded, pump it out gradually (about one third of the water per day) to avoid damage. The walls may collapse and the floor may buckle if the basement is pumped out while the surrounding ground is still waterlogged.

Open Cabinets:
Be alert for objects that may fall.

Clean Up Household Chemical Spills:
Disinfect items that may have been contaminated by raw sewage, bacteria, or chemicals. Also clean salvageable items.

Call Your Insurance Agent:
Take pictures of damages. Keep good records of repair and cleaning costs.

Coping with Disaster

The emotional toll a disaster brings can sometimes be even more devastating than the financial strains of damage and loss of home, business or personal property. It is important to identify those who may be having a hard time dealing with a disaster and getting them the help they need.