Rockford Sun

The President has signed a disaster declaration for the State of Illinois, covering weather events that occurred from July 13 to July 16, 2024. This declaration allows Federal funding to be made available to individuals in the counties of Cook, Fulton, Henry, St. Clair, Washington, Will, and Winnebago. The assistance includes grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs aimed at helping individuals and business owners recover from the disaster's effects. Additionally, federal funding will be provided on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

Residents of Winnebago County affected by the severe weather are encouraged to register for FEMA’s Disaster Assistance by calling 1-800-621-3362 or visiting www.DisasterAssistance.Gov.

Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are now available to businesses and residents in Illinois following this Presidential disaster declaration. These loans include:

- **Business Physical Disaster Loans:** Available to businesses of any size as well as private non-profit organizations such as charities and churches. These loans can be used to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business.

- **Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL):** Working capital loans intended to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private non-profit organizations meet their financial obligations that cannot be met due to the disaster.

- **Home Disaster Loans:** Available to homeowners or renters for repairing or replacing disaster-damaged real estate and personal property.

Disaster survivors should not wait for insurance settlements before applying for a disaster loan. If they do not know how much of their loss will be covered by insurance or other sources, SBA can provide a low-interest loan up to its limits with an agreement that insurance proceeds will reduce or repay the loan.

Survivors are advised to apply simultaneously for FEMA grants and SBA low-interest disaster loan assistance. FEMA grants aim to cover necessary expenses and serious needs not paid by insurance or other sources. The SBA program is designed for long-term recovery.

Applications can be submitted online at www.sba.gov/disaster or by calling (800) 659-2955. For people who are deaf or hard of hearing, telecommunications relay services can be accessed by dialing 7-1-1.

The deadline for physical property damage applications is November 19, 2024; economic injury applications must be submitted by June 20, 2025.

Homeowners and renters in Winnebago County with uninsured or underinsured damage caused by the severe weather are urged to apply for FEMA assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov through the FEMA mobile app or by calling 800-621-3362. Applicants may receive a call within ten days from an inspector scheduling an appointment at the reported address.

FEMA inspectors attempt multiple contacts via phone call or text message before sending a letter if unable to reach applicants. Upon contact with an inspector:

▪ Write down their name

▪ Note the date of call

▪ Record date and time of appointment

▪ Keep track of inspector’s telephone number

If contacted erroneously by an inspector when no one in your household applied for assistance, withdraw the application immediately by notifying FEMA at 800-621-3362.

A typical inspection takes about 45 minutes and aims only at verifying reported damages without determining eligibility for assistance directly. After inspection queries should also go through FEMA’s Helpline at 800-621-3362.

Eligibility decisions will follow via mail after inspections conclude but creating an account on DisasterAssistance.gov allows faster updates on status notifications post-FEMA application submission.

Further details on what happens during inspections can be found on FEMA's Fact Sheet linked here: https://www.rockfordil.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4127/FS02-DR-4819-What-to-Expect-Housing-Inpections.