Nearly $5 million in aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency has been distributed to residents of 14 Wisconsin counties for flood damages in August.
Additionally, the Small Business Administration has dispersed more than $750,000 in loans to those not eligible for FEMA funds.
Flood victims can receive aid for food and home needs such as appliances and furnishings, as well as for unemployment and legal assistance. FEMA grants are aimed at costs incurred in the wake of a natural disaster not covered by insurance companies, and for people without insurance.
"You don't have a lot of disasters in Wisconsin, so it's FEMA 101 because it is all brand new to you," said Don Bolger, public information officer for FEMA. "We encourage people to register even if they think they won't be eligible."
Thus far FEMA has approved $5 million for housing and nearly $250,00 for other needs, and has already received more than 3,500 applications from the disaster-designated counties. The SBA has approved 23 loans so far.
Five counties were originally designated as disaster areas. Nine more counties, including Dane County, were later added.
The deadline for people to apply to receive federal aid through FEMA is Oct. 25.
"The clock is ticking, so the best thing you can do at this point is register," said Don Bolger, public information officer of FEMA.
The first step to getting aid is to register with FEMA. Some counties have recovery centers where flood victims can talk with counselors to make sure the application is complete and also to learn about what aid they may be eligible for.
Within 7-10 days, a representative will come to the home and make a damage estimate. Soon after, victims will receive a letter either containing a check or, if the person was deemed ineligible, a list of other available options.
"It will describe steps with the SBA, and, more than likely, people will be eligible for a loan from the SBA," Bolger said. "People can't be confused and think, 'I don't own a business and can't register with them.' They need to register with both."
The SBA provides loans with rates that are often below market rates for victims who qualify.
Victims can also get help to rebuild their homes. Focus on Energy, a partnership of construction and utility companies, offers programs on how to make homes more energy efficient to help save money on operating costs.
"As people are rebuilding, keeping energy efficiency in mind is the best for saving money in the long run," said Kelly Lang, marketing program manager for Focus on Energy.
Focus on Energy offers different programs for people with differing levels of need. Low-income families can have up to 90 percent of costs covered for a home energy evaluation as well as construction costs for bringing their homes up to the recommended levels.
People can register with FEMA by calling its hotline at 1-800-621-FEMA, going to its website www.fema.gov or visiting a disaster recovery center.
