Individual Assistance

Disaster Recovery Tips

  • Be proactive in your individual disaster recovery plan.
  • Do not act immediately: Avoid signing any documents within the first 72 hours following a disaster.
  • Contact your insurance provider and file claims as soon as possible.  It is important to understand what is covered, what is excluded, and what the deductibles are.   For additional resources, check out the Ohio Department of Insurance Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Toolkit. 
  • Use licensed contractors. Verify their identity and legitimacy.
    • Contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office – Consumer Protection Division to determine if a contractor is registered within the state.
    • Get at least three written estimates.
    • Check references before entering a contract.
    • Get proof of insurance (e.g. Liability and Worker’s Compensation).
    • Get any guarantees in writing.
    • Make final payments only after the work is completed and inspected by the Building Department.  The Building Department will issue a Certificate when the work is complete. Pay by check.
  • Safeguard personal information. Never give out social security numbers or credit card numbers. Federal, State and local programs will not ask for bank account or Social Security number unless you initiate the call.
  • Donate only to charities you know, or simply ask the person soliciting the donation for the exact name, address and phone number of the charity. Research the charity and then call the charity or nonprofit organization, to confirm that the person is an employee or volunteer.
  • Maintain records on the federal, state, and local assistance that you receive. Keep receipts for all expenses incurred during the recovery process.
  • Get Prepared: Make a plan, build an emergency supply kit, develop a communication plan, and safeguard important documents by scanning/copying and sending them to an out of area contact for safe keeping.

Individual Assistance Programs

Availability of assistance programs will vary based on the severity, magnitude, and impact of the disaster.   The following factors are considered when evaluating a request:

  • Concentration of damage
  • Trauma, large number of injuries and deaths, disruptions to community functions, and emergency needs
  • Special populations
  • Voluntary agency assistance
  • Insurance
  • Damaged residential structures

FEMA Individual Assistance

Provides direct assistance to individuals, families and businesses, whose losses are not covered by insurance, to assist with:

  • Temporary Housing
  • Repairs/Rebuild for uninsured damages to primary residences
  • Replacement of personal property such as furniture and appliances
  • Transportation repair or replacement
  • Disaster-related medical and dental expenses
  • Disaster-related funeral and burial expenses

State of Ohio Individual Assistance

Provides grants for uninsured losses and expenses incurred by individuals and families.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

Provides low interest loans to homeowners, renters and businesses to assist with:

  • Repairs for uninsured damages to primary residences
  • Replacement of personal property such as furniture and appliances
  • Transportation repair or replacement

Long Term Recovery Committee

Provides assistance to uninsured, underinsured and insured individuals and families that have unmet recovery needs after all other programs/resources have been exhausted.    The LTRC focuses on:  Disaster Case Management, Donations Management, Volunteer Management, and Spiritual and Emotional Support.