Indiana Residents Have 2 Weeks Left to Apply for Aid

Indiana residents and business owners in the 21 counties included in the presidential disaster declaration have until March 31 to register for disaster assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Eligible residents and business owners who sustained damage from storms and flooding that began during the period Jan. 7 and continuing, should register for disaster assistance immediately, said officials from FEMA and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS). Loan applications to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for disaster-related losses to real and personal property also must be submitted by March 31.

Federal and state disaster recovery officials urge eligible residents who have not done so to apply as soon as possible by calling the toll-free registration number at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or, for the speech or hearing impaired, TTY 1-800-462-7585. Individuals also may register for disaster assistance at the FEMA website www.fema.gov.

Applicants who have questions about the disaster assistance programs or questions about the status of their previously filed applications should continue to use FEMA's toll-free Helpline at 1-800-621-3362.

To date, more than 2,400 Indiana residents have applied for disaster assistance. The total disaster funds approved for individuals affected by the disaster now tops $12 million, which includes approximately $6 million in low-interest SBA disaster loans for individuals and businesses.