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TAFT ADDS TWO COUNTIES TO EMERGENCY DECLARATION
COLUMBUS (July 31, 2006) - Governor Bob Taft today announced that he is adding
Ashtabula and Geauga counties to the state Proclamation of Emergency and
request for federal disaster assistance he issued for Lake County as a result
of last week's severe flooding. Taft also announced that he is making Temporary
Assistance For Needy Families (TANF) monies available to eligible individuals
and families in the three counties.
"Over the weekend I visited northeast Ohio and saw firsthand the damage caused
by last week's flooding. The citizens of Ashtabula, Geauga, and Lake Counties
are doing so much to recover from torrential flooding but they can not do it
alone," said Taft. "I am renewing my commitment to provide the resources of the
state to aid in the recovery process and I am asking President Bush to provide
federal assistance."
TANF
Because of the Governor's emergency declaration, families in Ashtabula, Geauga
and Lake counties may qualify for up to $1,500 in TANF disaster assistance, and
certain elderly and disabled individuals may qualify for up to $750 in disaster
assistance. Individuals and families may apply for this assistance at their
local county department of job and family services.
In order to be eligible for up to $1,500 in TANF disaster assistance, families
must include a child or pregnant woman and have evidence of economic need.
Elderly and disabled individuals in these counties who are not eligible for
TANF assistance may be eligible for disaster assistance of up to $750. To be
eligible for this type of assistance, a person must be at least 55 years old
and childless, or receiving certain disability benefits, impacted by the severe
weather and provide evidence of an economic need to the county department of
job and family services.
Request for federal disaster assistance On Saturday, Governor Taft joined
local, state and federal officials in touring communities impacted by the
northeast Ohio flooding that occurred July 27 and 28. During the tour, Taft
announced that he would be seeking federal disaster assistance. In response to
that request, beginning today, teams of local, state and federal personnel are
conducting damage assessments throughout the three declared counties.
Taft today sent a letter to President Bush specifically requesting Individual
Assistance for Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake counties. If this request is
approved, assistance to eligible households could include:
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Housing Assistance;
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Disaster Unemployment Assistance;
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Disaster Legal Services;
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Crisis Counseling;
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Small Business Administration Home, Personal Property, Business and economic
Injury Disaster Loan Programs; and
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The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for all 88 counties.
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