Finkenauer Statement on Partial Approval of Federal Individual Disaster Assistance for Iowans Impacted by Derecho
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) released the following statement on the Administration’s approval of Individual Assistance for Linn County residents impacted by last week’s derecho:
"Individual federal aid is absolutely essential for thousands Iowans who had their lives upended and property destroyed by last week’s derecho, and I’m pleased to see it approved for those affected in Linn County,” Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer said. “Unfortunately, Iowa’s full request, encompassing 27 counties, has not yet been approved despite prior indications, leaving far too many Iowans without access to critical assistance."
"I remain committed to securing aid for every Iowan affected by this storm,” Finkenauer said. “Today’s approval doesn’t go far enough, and we won’t stop working until FEMA gets it right."
The individual assistance approved by the Administration for Linn County on Thursday was requested as part of Iowa’s expedited major disaster declaration, and follows the approval earlier this week of federal assistance for debris removal and the repair and replacement of public infrastructure.
"Today’s approval will provide needed state and federal assistance for individual Iowans and small businesses in Cedar Rapids and surrounding areas of Linn County, and begin to help us rebuild and recover from this life-changing event,” Finkenauer said. “My office is committed to assisting Iowans every step of the way in accessing federal aid and ensuring everyone who qualifies for help is able to get it."
To improve the likelihood that FEMA will approval individual assistance for additional Iowa counties, Finkenauer encourages any Iowan affected by the storm to complete the State of Iowa Preliminary Damage Assessment form, which federal authorities use to assess the scope of the storm and make decisions on assistance requests.
Please click here to fill out the State of Iowa Preliminary Damage Assessment form.
Background on FEMA Individual Assistance:
To apply for FEMA Individual Assistance, visit https://www.disasterassistance.gov/ or call 800-621-3362.
A fact sheet on FEMA Individual Assistance can be found at https://www.fema.gov/individual-disaster-assistance
Important facts from FEMA about Individual Assistance:
- Pursue your insurance claims first and foremost.
- The Individual Assistance program through FEMA will not make you whole again, that is not how the program was structured.
- FEMA can possibly help with damages notcovered by insurance. The first step is to register, so that FEMA can review your claims and determine what might be eligible.
Assistance provided by FEMA includes:
- Housing assistance to individuals and families who have lost their homes, or whose homes are uninhabitable, as a result of a presidentially-declared disaster, including rental assistance and transitional sheltering.
- Home repair assistance to help disaster survivors make basic repairs so that homes are safe, sanitary and functional.
- Necessary expenses and serious needs caused by the disaster, including:
- Disaster-caused child care expenses
- Disaster-caused medical and dental expenses
- Disaster-caused funeral and burial expenses
- Disaster-caused damages to essential household items, clothing, job-related tools, and necessary educational materials
- Fuel for the primary heat source
- Clean-up items
- Disaster-caused damage to an essential vehicle
- Moving and storage expenses caused by the disaster
Finkenauer’s Ongoing Derecho Relief Efforts:
The rare derecho storm affected more than 20 counties across Iowa, producing straight-line winds that exceeded 100 mph in several locations. Much of the damage took place in counties included in the First District. 550,000 homes were left without power and the total estimated damage is more than $3.9 billion.
On Thursday, 8/20, Finkenauer visited the Meskwaki Nation in Tama to meet with tribal leaders and view damage from the derecho. Finkenauer also sent a letter to President Donald Trump on Thursday imploring him to approve the tribe’s request for federal disaster aid.
On Wednesday, 8/19, Finkenauer released a Disaster Resource Guide for constituents.
On Wednesday, 8/19, Finkenauer wrote to President Trump urging him to fully approve Iowa’s request for an expedited major disaster declaration, which includes individual assistance, and urged a waiver of local cost match.
On Monday, 8/17, Finkenauer took part in an electric restoration briefing with Alliant Energy.
On Monday, 8/17, Finkenauer visited Benton County to hear about local storm damage from local leaders and emergency management officials, and visited the Iowa Veterans Home.
On Sunday, 8/16, Finkenauer joined the full Iowa federal delegation in sending a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to accept Governor Kim Reynolds’ request for an expedited presidential major disaster declaration.
On Friday, 8/14, Finkenauer visited storm damage in Marshalltown, including the Iowa Veterans Home.
On Thursday, 8/13, Finkenauer hosted a briefing with Iowa Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Joyce Flinn.
On Thursday, 8/13, Finkenauer urged Reynolds to call for an expedited Presidential Disaster Declaration and joined Cedar Rapids city officials at a press conference to call for expedited federal aid and additional state resources as Cedar Rapids and communities across Iowa work to recover from Monday’s derecho storm.
On Wednesday, 8/12, she attended a briefing with Cedar Rapids emergency officials.
On Tuesday, 8/11, Finkenauer sent a letter to Governor Kim Reynolds seeking information and offering assistance in the wake of Monday’s storms that knocked out power and caused widespread damage across eastern Iowa.
If you need or someone you know has been affected by the storm and needs help, call 1-800-RED-CROSS. For information about state aid for food and health assistance, click here. To volunteer through the United Way of East Central Iowa, click here.