Types of Disaster Assistance
State of Iowa Disaster Reimbursement Grant Program
The Iowa Disaster Reimbursement Grant Program provides limited financial assistance in the event of a Governor's Disaster Proclamation for eligible households that have disaster-related needs and are unable to meet such needs through other means. Iowans with household incomes of up to 133 percent of federal poverty guidelines may apply for a grant of up to $3,300 to help recover from damages. Applicants must include receipts when applying for help as this is a reimbursement program. The program is administered by the Iowa Department of Human Services.
Federal Disaster Assistance Programs
Following a presidential disaster declaration, assistance becomes available to those who have been affected. Disaster assistance falls under two basic categories:
Individual Assistance (IA) is available for individuals and businesses following a presidential disaster declaration. This assistance includes grants, loans, and other services to affected citizens.
Public Assistance (PA) is available to state and local governments and to certain nonprofit organizations, and allows them to respond and recover from disasters and to mitigate the impact of future disasters.
Criteria
Public Assistance (PA) Program
- The State must meet the minimum per capita damages statewide of $1.24 or $3,628,641.76
- Once the statewide qualifier has been met, then the county qualifier is $3.11 per capita
- Typically, damages must first meet the State qualifier before the county qualifier is applied.
After a request is submitted to the FEMA Regional office, it is evaluated and several factors are considered. MORE
Individual Assistance (IA) Program
First, the State should meet a statewide assessed total of 582 homes classified as major damage or destroyed. This would mean that all are uninhabitable when assessed and would require significant repairs to make habitable.
There may be exceptions to the above statewide criteria for Individual Assistance based on severe impacts to low-income or elderly homeowners, injuries or deaths caused by the event, etc., but in no case has Iowa received a Federal Declaration for less than 100 homes classified as major damage or destroyed. MORE
Small Business Administration (SBA) Declaration
If damages are less extensive, the Governor can ask for an SBA Declaration. When the Governor's request for assistance is received, a survey of the damaged area(s) is conducted with state and local officials, and the results are submitted to the Administrator for a decision. When the Administrator of SBA declares an area, both primary and contiguous counties are eligible for the same assistance. MORE