Local organizations offer help in flood assistance applications, services

Aug. 4--Getting financial assistance after losing everything in a flood is a complicated task, but local organizations are ready to help.

Leaders of multiple Fort Smith-area organizations on Thursday explained how residents affected by the flood can get the most financial assistance possible as they rebuild their lives after the 500-year Arkansas River flood. Avenues that can provide such assistance include grants beyond Federal Emergency Management and the Small Business Administration, appeals and ongoing applications -- which organizations such as Catholic Charities of Arkansas, the Center for Arkansas Legal Services and the Crawford-Sebastian Community Development Council can help them use.

Flood-affected residents in Arkansas must apply for assistance to FEMA and the Small Business Administration by Aug. 7. Oklahoma flood victims must apply by Aug. 14. Grants received from these federal agencies will cover basic needs, homeowners' repairs and economic losses to small businesses.

FEMA grants average about $6,000 and only cover basic needs. The Small Business Administration can lend homeowners up to $200,000 to make repairs to their physical primary residence and up to $40,000 for a homeowner or renter to replace his or her personal items. Catholic Charities Disaster Preparedness and Response Coordinator Tracy Eichenberger added that FEMA also provides rental assistance for those who need it while they rebuild their houses.

Eichenberger said residents who are eligible for FEMA grants may receive a Small Business Administration loan package if they're considered to meet financial qualifications.

"If you're not qualified for SBA, then you're automatically sent back to FEMA for consideration for other funds," she said.

Flood victims who are denied FEMA assistance may file an appeal within 60 days of the denial, Eichenberger said. She said applicants could be turned down for assistance for multiple reasons, including unseen repairs and insurance.

"(FEMA) assessors who come out are limited to what they can do. They're not allowed to go under the house, they're not allowed to get on the roof of the house. They can only assess what they can see," Eichenberger said. "Once you start doing repairs, you start discovering additional damage. That's another reason you can file the appeal."

Arkansas Legal Services Attorney Kendall Lewellen added that her organization can assist in the appeal process.

Eichenberger added that flood victims should keep thorough records of any repairs they make to their homes, including photos and receipts. She said this documentation could allow victims to receive reimbursements from FEMA for repairs they've already made.

Flood victims may also receive up to $25,000 through a Rehab Development grant and up to $10,000 through the state, said Crawford-Sebastian Community Development Council Housing Development Officer Becky Denton.

Denton said she has seen several flood victims who don't know where to begin in the recovery process.

"If we don't have services we can provide, we can recommend you to someone," she said.

"It's different from a tornado, it's different from a fire. It's a slow process. We have things like mold and other things we have to deal with with the repairs," United Way of the Fort Smith Area President Eddie Lee Herndon said. "Please connect with the experts in recovery groups."

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