News : Tornado-affected families encouraged to apply for assistance

Leaders remind families that the tornado assistant program registration deadline is Aug. 31.

The Benton County Disaster Recovery Coalition would like to thank all the citizens impacted by the July 17th EF2 tornado who have applied for the Iowa Assistance Disaster Grant Program and the Benton County Disaster Recovery Coalition Assistance programs. Not everyone who was impacted has applied through the programs. The Benton County Disaster Recovery Coalition is encouraging all tornado impacted families to complete applications by the August 31st deadline.

The Coalition would like to see every individual or family make out an application, even if they do not have needs at this time. Needs may arise later and the assistance programs will be available to help families struggling to get back on their feet.

While many displaced families may feel comfortable in their temporary housing situations, they could have needs arise months from now as they move into more permanent housing situations. Applying for the assistance programs by the deadline makes them eligible to apply for assistance requests later.

The assistance programs can help in many different ways. Basically the assistance programs can help cover expenses for almost anything causing a hardship for families in a new rental place that may be more expensive than they were previously paying. For example, the assistance programs can help qualified families with unmet needs pay for such things as increases in rent due to relocation, cover a rental deposit, utility expenses, or the insurance deductible expense. The Benton County Disaster Recovery Coalition also can assist with sources and funding for clothing, food, or other household items lost as a result of the storm.

Applications for the Iowa Assistance Disaster Grant Program can be made Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at the Vinton HACAP Center between 10 am and 3 pm. Contact is John Regan, 319-531-6639.

The Benton County Disaster Recovery Coalition is working with many agencies and organizations to find funding, housing, and resources needed to help families get back on their feet. The Coalition has hired a case manager, Sherry Adams to assist families. She can be reached at: 319-241-5121.

All impacted families are encouraged to apply by the August 31st deadline to ensure they have assistance for needs now and any needs that may arise in the future.