Media Contacts:
Ron Boehmer, Governor’s Office: 443-905-6242
Brian Schleter, Maryland DHR: 410-767-8944
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GOVERNOR O’MALLEY ANNOUNCES DISASTER RELIEF GRANTS FOR VICTIMS OF WESTERN MARYLAND FLOODING
ANNAPOLIS, MD (August 8, 2014) – Governor Martin O’Malley unveiled a disaster relief package to aid residents of Allegany and Washington Counties impacted by the extreme flooding that occurred June 12, 2014. The announcement follows the Governor’s remarks Wednesday that the state will meet the needs of residents who were temporarily displaced or incurred serious disaster-related expenses not covered by an insurance policy.
“Western Maryland communities affected by June floods have many unmet needs and financial burdens that require our assistance,” said Governor O’Malley. “We must do whatever we can to meet the needs of these families and businesses in Western Maryland and to help those impacted by the storm recover.”
Residents who apply to the Western Maryland Other Needs Assistance Program may receive up to $5,000 in grants to pay for temporary housing, medical needs (including mental health and dental needs), moving and storage, personal property (including clothing, essential tools and equipment and vehicle damage), and emergency housing repairs. The program is intended to provide for the essential, necessary expenses and serious needs of applicants recovering from a disaster. It is not intended to help the applicant return his or her home to pre-disaster condition.
How to Apply:
On Monday, August 11, 2014, the state will open Essential Service Centers in each impacted county at the following locations:
Cresaptown Volunteer Fire Department
13109 Warrior Drive
Cresaptown, Maryland 21505
Clear Spring Volunteer Fire Company
30 Mulberry Street
Clear Spring, Maryland 21722
Both centers will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. through August 17, 2014. The Maryland Department of Human Resources, the Maryland Insurance Administration and the Department of Housing and Community Development will assist residents with gathering required documentation and filling out applications. Residents should bring copies of any receipts or documents showing that the damage to their home and/or personal property, any medical expenses or other serious needs were caused by the storm that occurred June 12, 2014.
For more information on this state grant opportunity, residents can call 855-769-5779 or visit the DHR Web site at http://www.dhr.maryland.gov.
Residents in Allegany, Garrett, Washington and Frederick Counties may also be eligible for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Individuals who apply for or secure a loan through the SBA may still apply for a grant under the Western Maryland Other Needs Assistance Program. For more information, contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, e-mailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800) 877-8339. Applicants may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.
The deadline to apply for both forms of assistance is Sept. 29, 2014.
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