Help for Individuals

Financial Assistance

STEPS FOR APPLYING FOR ASSISTANCE

  1. Contact your insurance company.
  2. Register for FEMA assistance (in any county covered by the Governor's disaster proclamation).
  3. Register for the State Individual Assistance Program (which is based on income levels)


The deadline to register with FEMA has been extended – register by October 31, 2008.

FEMA
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides Federal disaster assistance to help with critical expenses and basic needs (I.e. temporary housing) not covered in other ways. Government disaster assistance will not normally compensate you for your entire loss. Some disaster aid does not have to be paid back, while other assistance may come in the form of loans.

NOTE: You will need to provide the following information when registering with FEMA for assistance:

  • A phone number and a reliable alternative (in case FEMA needs to call you back)
  • Address of the damaged property
  • Social Security number
  • Current mailing address
  • Brief description of damages
  • Insurance information (if you have insurance)
  • Bank account information
    (If you are eligible for disaster assistance, you may choose to have the assistance check deposited directly into your bank account.)

After registering with FEMA, if you have questions about Other Needs Assistance (ONA) including repairs or replacement of personal property, repair or replacement of an essential vehicle, moving and storage expenses, disaster-related medical, dental and funeral expenses, or miscellaneous expenses, call: 1-866-434-4692 (Monday through Friday – 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)

State Individual Assistance Program
Get information about applying for the state disaster assistance program for eligible households that have disaster-related needs and are unable to meet such needs through other means. The programs awards grants to eligible applicants up to a maximum of $3,319.
Toll Free: 877-937-3663

Additional Resources

Homeowners who are facing financial hardship and unable to make their monthly mortgage payment due to the floods and storms should contact their lender to discuss their individual situation.

Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance
Homeowners, renters, and/or personal-property owners may apply to the Small Business Administration (SBA) for a low interest loan to help recover from the recent natural disasters – even if you don’t own a business.
1-800-659-2955
NOTE: You are required to register with FEMA first.

Iowa Finance Authority (IFA)

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
HUD offers foreclosure protection to displaced families in Iowa through a 90-day moratorium on foreclosures of Federal Housing Administration (FHA)-insured home mortgages.

IRS Disaster Information Tax Center

Iowa College Student Aid Commission (ICSAC)
The Iowa College Student Aid Commission is administering the Iowa Disaster Relief Grant - a one-time, state-funded grant that will provide assistance to students impacted by the weather-related disasters that hit Iowa during the summer of 2008.