EMERGENCY RESPONSE & DISASTER RECOVERY

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON DISASTER ASSISTANCE

DISASTER ASSISTANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES

When the Governor declares a disaster and authorizes Individual Assistance, Alaska’s Individual and Family Grant (IFG) Program and Temporary Housing Program (THP) provide timely assistance to individuals or families to meet disaster-related necessary expenses and serious needs. Together, these programs provide essential support when other resources are unavailable or inadequate.

The Individual Assistance (IA) program works closely with disaster-affected communities to ensure applicants are aware of the available IA resources. Individuals apply with the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHS & EM) for 60 days following declaration of a disaster.

INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY GRANT (IFG) PROGRAM

The current maximum grant to an individual or family is $21,250 for housing repair and an additional $21,250 for personal property damages per disaster when other resources are not adequate, including insurance and Small Business Association (SBA) or other loans. Assistance can include:

• Housing (primary residences only). Money to repair, replace, or rebuild; provide access; clean or make sanitary; remove debris relating to life- health- and safety-issues; protective against immediate threat.
• Personal property. Money to replace essential clothing; household items, furnishings or appliances; tools and employer-required specialized clothing; subsistence equipment or structures; repair, cleaning or sanitizing of personal property; or moving and storage to prevent or reduce further damage.
• Transportation. Money to ensure one primary vehicle remains in operation.
• Medical and Dental Expenses. Money to pay for disaster-related medical and dental care or equipment.
• Funeral Expenses. Money for funeral and burial/cremation expenses related to a disaster-related death.TEMPORARY HOUSING PROGRAMThe Temporary Housing Program provides timely assistance to individuals or families displaced from their primary residence as a result of the disaster. Assistance can include:
  • Transient accommodations. Immediate short-term housing; may include shelters, families, and friends.
  • Rent and eligible utilities. Initial rental assistance is 3 months for renters and 18 months for homeowners.
  • Repair and replacement of the damaged primary residence in situations where restoring the essential living areas is less than providing other forms of temporary housing assistance.

PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR COMMUNITIES

If cities experienced damage to infrastructure, they could request assistance through the Public Assistance Program at: https://ready.alaska.gov/Recovery/PA