Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared that a major disaster exists in the State of Illinois and ordered Federal assistance to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms and flooding from June 29 to July 2, 2023.
The President’s action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in Cook County.
Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures in Cook County.
Andrew D. Friend of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been appointed to coordinate Federal recovery operations in the affected areas.
Damage assessments are continuing in other areas, and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are fully completed.
Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or by using the FEMA App. Anyone using a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, can give FEMA the number for that service.
What is an Illinois Disaster Declaration?
An Illinois Disaster Declaration is a formal announcement by the governor of Illinois that a disaster has occurred in the state. This declaration allows the state to receive federal assistance to help with recovery efforts.
The governor can declare a disaster for a variety of reasons, including:
- Natural disasters, such as floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes
- Technological disasters, such as chemical spills and nuclear accidents
- Public health emergencies, such as pandemics
- Civil unrest
Once a disaster has been declared, the state can apply for federal assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). FEMA can provide a variety of assistance, including:
- Grants for temporary housing and home repairs
- Low-interest loans to cover uninsured property losses
- Disaster unemployment assistance
- Public assistance to help state and local governments with the cost of responding to and recovering from the disaster
The current Illinois Disaster Declaration
The most recent Illinois Disaster Declaration was issued by Governor JB Pritzker on August 15, 2023, in response to the severe storms and flooding that occurred in the state from June 29 to July 2, 2023. This declaration makes federal assistance available to affected individuals in Cook County.
If you have been affected by a disaster in Illinois, you can find more information about how to apply for federal assistance on the FEMA website: https://www.fema.gov/
How to apply for Illinois Disaster Assistance
There are two ways to apply for Illinois Disaster Assistance:
- Online: You can apply online at disasterassistance.gov.
- By phone: You can call FEMA at 800-621-3362.
When you apply for assistance, you will need to provide the following information:
- Your name, address, and contact information
- The date and location of the disaster
- The type of assistance you are requesting
- Proof of your losses, such as insurance claims or receipts
What to expect after applying for Illinois Disaster Assistance
Once you have applied for assistance, FEMA will review your application and determine if you are eligible. If you are approved, FEMA will provide the assistance you requested. This may take several weeks or months.
In the meantime, there are a few things you can do to help with your recovery:
- Contact your insurance company to file a claim.
- Contact your local government to find out about other resources available to help you recover.
- Get involved in your community’s recovery efforts.
By working together, we can help Illinois recover from any disaster.
I hope this article has been helpful. Please let me know if you have any other questions.