2024 October West Coast Storm
Registration for Individual Assistance for the 2024 October West Coast Storm is available October 23, 2024 - December 23, 2024.
The Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management will be accepting applications for the State Individual Assistance and Temporary Housing programs for survivors with damages or emergency expenses in the City of Kotzebue related to the 2024 October West Coast Storm.
Please collect property ownership documents (if you have them), insurance policies (if you have one), and proof of residency (like a utility bill with your physical address on it). Also, we recommend you take pictures of damages (if you safely can) to provide to us. Telephone registration is available at 1 (844) 445-7131 or you may also use our online application system by clicking the "Click Here to Request Individual Assistance" below.
2024 Ketchikan Landslide
Registration for Individual Assistance for the 2024 Ketchikan Landslide is available August 27, 2024 - October 27, 2024.
The Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management will be accepting applications for the State Individual Assistance and Temporary Housing programs for survivors with damages or emergency expenses in the City of Ketchikan related to the 2024 Ketchikan Landslide.
Please collect property ownership documents (if you have them), insurance policies (if you have one), and proof of residency (like a utility bill with your physical address on it). Also, we recommend you take pictures of damages (if you safely can) to provide to us. Telephone registration is available at 1 (844) 445-7131 or you may also use our online application system by clicking the "Click Here to Request Individual Assistance" below.
Overview
The Individual Assistance (IA) Program includes the Individual and Family Grants (IFG) and Temporary Housing Grants (THG). IA provides financial assistance to disaster survivors through grants to assist individuals and families in the declared disaster area with serious losses not covered or not fully covered by their insurance or other financial sources or means.
The mission of the Alaska DHS&EM Individual Assistance Program is to provide financial assistance to individuals or families whose:
- Primary residence was destroyed or damaged
- Only means of transportation was destroyed or damaged, when alternative is not available
- Essential personal property was destroyed, damaged, or lost
- Medical/funeral/dental expenses were incurred as a direct result of the disaster
The IA Program is initiated when the Governor of Alaska declares a disaster in a specific geographic area which includes any part of the IA Disaster Grant Program. This program does not cover federal disaster response and recovery efforts. Should a State disaster declaration be followed by a federal declaration for the same event, individuals will need to apply for assistance from both programs. Joint Preliminary Damage Assessments (JPDA) will be conducted to establish the need for federal assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Disasters that meet the parameters for a presidential disaster declaration will get FEMA assistance. Affected individuals can apply to FEMA through the FEMA website to be announced publicly at the time of a federal disaster, 1-800-621-FEMA, or at a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC).
Individual and Family Grants (IFG) assistance is comprised of two provisions, Housing Assistance (HA) and Other Needs Assistance (ONA).
HA assistance is available to homeowners to repair disaster-related damages not covered by insurance or by other governmental financial assistance resources. If insurance covers damages, applicant may be eligible for reimbursement of the deductible. The goal is to provide assistance for costs that are reasonable and necessary to make the essential living areas of a primary residence safe, sanitary, and functional within the limits of the program. It is not to correct pre-event deficiencies of any kind. It generally will not include cosmetic features, landscaping, outbuildings, sidewalks and driveways. Essential living areas of the home include: occupied Bedrooms, one Bathroom, one Kitchen, Dining room, Living room, Entrance/Exit, Foundation/Structure. Repair awards will be based on damages assessments, professional invoices/quotes/estimates, state sponsored estimates, disaster relief assessments, reciepts from self-repairs, or insurance adjuster’s estimates.
ONA expenses (not covered by insurance or by other financial assistance resources) may include the lesser of the costs to clean, repair or replace essential personal property items identified on the program eligible property list. Eligible costs include medical and dental costs that were a direct result of the declared event. Funeral expenses (cremations, burials etc.) for family members living in the home at the time of the event. Other potentially eligible expenses include transportation, moving, storage, and other expenses that are authorized by DHS&EM.
THG assistance provides financial assistance when an eligible applicant’s primary residence is rendered uninhabitable due to a declared disaster. Rental assistance can be authorized for renters for up to three (3) months and for homeowners up to eighteen (18) months (from the disaster declaration date). Temporary housing payments will be based on Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Fair market rates. Pet deposits are not included. but security deposits may be included. Payments will be made directly to applicants. Lease and/or rental agreements will include instructions that occupants are solely responsible for damages and any additional room costs besides rent amount. Renters displaced by Landlords whose primary residence has been damaged by a declared disaster and who then occupy the rental property will also be eligible for 3 months temporary housing.
Individuals must apply for Individual Assistance (IA) within the registration window. There are several ways to apply:
- Click on the request Individual Assistance button below
- Hotline calls: callers should leave a message with contact information for a follow up return call. If available, a caseworker may assist with completion of application. Hotline number is 1(844) 445-7131.
- Disaster Assistance Center (DAC) if activated, public announcements will be provided
Those applying should be prepared to provide copies of:
- Photo ID and contact information
- Mailing address
- Insurance declaration and exclusion (what is covered and what is NOT covered)
- List of damages, include year/make/model/VIN for vehicle
- Number of home occupants and current living situation
- Proof of residence at the damaged address at the time of the disaster
- Repair estimates and pictures
The information on this site is very general in nature. At the time of application associated with a state or federally declared disaster, specific guidance for that particular event will be made available to affected jurisdictions through official State of Alaska press releases, FEMA press releases, media announcements, and local officials.
Looking for Disaster Assistance?
*The Application Period for the 2024 October West Coast Storm is open on 10/23/2024*
*The Application Period for the 2024 Ketchikan Landslide will close on 10/27/2024*
or
Call our Disaster Assistance Hotline at 1 (844) 445-7131