City of Rockford, IL

09/30/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/30/2024 12:56

Disaster Assistance Now Available

If you live in Winnebago County, and were affected by the severe weather on July 13-16, 2024, please register for FEMA's Disaster Assistance by calling 1-800-621-3362 or www.DisasterAssistance.Gov.

BUSINESS LOANS:

Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration are available to businesses and residents in Illinois following the announcement of a Presidential disaster declaration for severe weather that occurred July 13-16.



  • Business Physical Disaster Loans - Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible.

  • Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) - Working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period.

  • Home Disaster Loans - Loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and personal property, including automobiles.

Other Important Information:

  • Disaster survivors should not wait to settle with their insurance company before applying for a disaster loan. If a survivor does not know how much of their loss will be covered by insurance or other sources, SBA can make a low-interest disaster loan for the total loss up to its loan limits, provided the borrower agrees to use insurance proceeds to reduce or repay the loan.

  • Survivors are encouraged to simultaneously apply for FEMA grants and the SBA low-interest disaster loan assistance to fully recover. FEMA grants are intended to cover necessary expenses and serious needs not paid by insurance or other sources. The SBA disaster loan program is designed for your long-term recovery, to make you whole and get you back to your pre-disaster condition. Do not wait on the decision for a FEMA grants.

Apply:

  • (800) 659-2955

  • [email protected]

  • For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Nov. 19, 2024. The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 20, 2025.

FEMA HOUSING INSPECTIONS

Homeowners and renters in Winnebago County with uninsured or underinsured damage caused by the July 13 - 16, 2024, severe weather are encouraged to apply for FEMA assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov, through the FEMA mobile app or by calling 800-621-3362. Within 10 days of applying for assistance, you may receive a call from an inspector to schedule an appointment at the address where damage was reported. The inspector's call may come from an out of state or an "unknown" phone number, and they may ask you to verify personally identifiable information by phone.

FEMA inspectors make several attempts to contact you through phone call or text to schedule an appointment. If FEMA is unable to get in touch, you will be sent a letter indicating your application cannot be processed further-to proceed you must call FEMA's Helpline at 800-621-3362 to confirm your contact information and need for assistance.

When the FEMA inspector contacts you, write down:

▪ The inspector's name
▪ Date of call
▪ Date and time of appointment
▪ Inspector's telephone number

If you are contacted by an inspector, but no one in the household applied for FEMA assistance, ask to withdraw the application and notify FEMA by calling 800-621-3362.

A typical inspection takes up to 45 minutes to complete. Inspectors do not determine eligibility for FEMA assistance. They are looking to verify the damage reported on your application. You or your designated co-applicant will need to meet with an inspector and provide a photo ID.

Information gathered during the inspection is only one of several criteria used by FEMA to determine eligibility for assistance. If you have questions after your inspection, please call FEMA's Helpline at 800-621-3362.

FEMA will mail you a decision letter about eligibility for assistance. To receive updates and notifications faster, create an online DisasterAssistance.gov account after applying for FEMA assistance.

For more information on what to expect, view the FEMA Fact Sheet at https://www.rockfordil.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4127/FS02-DR-4819-What-to-Expect-Housing-Inspections.