ANCHORAGE, Alaska – With the possibility the spring thaw may reveal damage, Alaskans are encouraged to apply for federal disaster assistance that could help individuals and households recover from the effects of the Nov. 30 earthquake.
Eligible individuals and households in the Municipality of Anchorage, Matanuska-Susitna Borough and Kenai Peninsula Borough now have until May 31 to register for federal assistance. FEMA approved a request from Gov. Michael J. Dunleavy to extend the registration deadline 60 days.
Residents can apply the following ways:
• Online at DisasterAssistance.gov
• Call the helpline at 800-621-3362 (FEMA), voice/VP/711. Multilingual operators are available. TTY users may call 800-462-7585. Lines are open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Visit a disaster recovery center. To find one, visit FEMA.gov/disaster-recovery-centers or call the helpline.
Federal assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs. FEMA grants may also help residents with uninsured or underinsured items necessary to restore their homes to a safe, sanitary and functional condition. This would include appliances, tools to repair ceiling and roof damage, foundations, floors and windows.
Individuals with disaster-related damage are encouraged to complete an application for federal assistance even if they have applied for help from the state or other agencies. The application for federal assistance is separate from the state’s program. While the programs are similar, some criteria and types of assistance are different so a separate application is needed.
The U.S. Small Business Administration is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA provides low-interest, long-term disaster loans to businesses of all sizes, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters to repair or replace uninsured and underinsured disaster-damaged property. SBA disaster loans offer an affordable way for businesses and individuals to recover from declared disasters. It is not necessary to wait for insurance to settle before applying for a disaster loan, which also covers insurance deductibles.
For more information on Alaska’s disaster recovery, visit FEMA.gov/disaster/4413, https://twitter.com/FEMARegion10 and Facebook.com/FEMA.