Applicants without credit may receive an interest rate of 3.5 percent for homeowners and 4 percent for business owners. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has made available grants to help pay for temporary housing, minor home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses. FEMA funds are also being provided to local governments to help cover the costs of debris removal and emergency services related to the disaster. Workers who lost their jobs because of the disaster, as well as the long-term unemployed and other eligible dislocated workers, can participate in the program. Federal funding also is available to eligible local governments on a cost sharing basis for the repair or replacement of public facilities damaged by the severe storm.
Federal funding is also available on a cost share basis for hazard mitigation measures.
The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.