STATEHOUSE (Oct. 21, 2008) — Governments and some non-profit organizations in 18 Hoosier counties could be eligible for federal public assistance if President George W. Bush approves a request from Gov. Mitch Daniels. The counties were among those damaged in mid-September by remnants of Hurricane Ike.

The counties are Decatur, Dubois, Floyd, Franklin, Gibson, Jackson, Lawrence, Martin, Newton, Ohio, Orange, Perry, Pike, Rush, Spencer, Union, Vanderburgh and Warrick.

If the governor’s request is approved, state government, local governments and certain non-profit organizations in these counties would be eligible to apply for federal assistance to pay 75 percent of the approved cost of debris removal, emergency services related to the disaster and repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, buildings and utilities.

Clark, Crawford, Dearborn, Fayette, Harrison, Jefferson, Jennings, Lake, Porter, Ripley, Scott, Switzerland, Washington and Wayne counties already have been approved for federal public assistance.

Gov. Daniels may ask for assistance for more counties if further investigation warrants it.

Farmers in 20 Indiana counties who suffered losses during September’s severe storms and flooding are eligible for low-interest emergency loans from the USDA’s Farm Service Agency. Several state-level programs also offer assistance.

President George W. Bush has approved primary disaster designations for six Hoosier counties — Harrison, Jefferson, Jennings, LaPorte, Lake and Porter — and contiguous designations for 14 counties — Bartholomew, Clark, Crawford, Decatur, Floyd, Jackson, Jasper, Newton, Ripley, St. Joseph, Scott, Starke, Switzerland and Washington.

Farmers in these counties should contact their local FSA office for further information on emergency loan programs. The FSA will consider the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability. The Indiana FSA office phone number is 317-290-3030; its Web site is www.fsa.usda.gov (click on “State Offices.”)

Financial assistance from Indiana is available for Hoosier farmers working through the devastation. The Office of Disaster Recovery, the Indiana State Department of Agriculture’s Division of Soil Conservation and the Indiana state treasurer’s office are working to help farmers access more than $60 million in financial assistance and low-interest loans.

Andy Miller, director of the Office of Disaster Recovery Director Andy Miller, said that Hoosier farmers who have been told they did not qualify should re-apply through the new state system. Money is available through these programs:

Emergency Conservation Program: The federal government has $10 million in emergency funding to rehabilitate farmland damaged by natural disasters. Up to 75 percent of the project is paid for by the federal government; the remaining 25 percent qualifies the farmers for Indiana’s Treasurer's Conservation Assistance Program.

Emergency Conservation Assistance Program: The Indiana State Soil Conservation Board has allocated $1.4 million in funding for landowners affected by the flood through their local Soil and Water Conservation District.

Treasurer's Conservation Assistance Program: State Treasurer Richard Mourdock established this program to provide assistance to Hoosier farmers who have suffered damages to their farmlands because of flooding throughout the state. Farmers have access to $50 million in low-interest loans.

“Farmers are challenged with harvesting their crops while still needing to rehabilitate their land from washouts, debris, sediment and gullies,” said Acting Indiana Agriculture Director Ken Klemme. “We want to help farmers find the right financial assistance to fill their needs and recover the land.”

The assistance application process has been simplified and begins with a phone call or email to an ISDA representative. Farmers can call 877-4IN-AGRI (877-446-2474) or email recovery@isda.in.gov.

House Republicans encourage all Hoosiers — homeowners as well as renters — to be aware of the upcoming winter season and the higher energy costs associated with it. Now is the time to plan ahead and budget for heating bills as we head into the colder months.

Community Action Agencies will begin accepting applications and appointments for Indiana’s Energy Assistance Program on Oct. 6. This federally funded program was designed to offer low-income Hoosiers assistance with winter heating bills. Households not already in an energy emergency are encouraged to call and schedule an appointment with their local agencies. Agencies then meet individually with applicants to determine eligibility. For the 2007-2008 winter season, IHCDA allocated nearly $66 million in federal heating assistance to Community Action Agencies throughout the state.

IHCDA’s toll-free number is 1-800-872-0371.  The income qualifications for the EAP programs are 150 percent of the federal poverty level. For example, a family of four making less than $31,800 would qualify, as well as an individual with an income of $15,600 or less. The average benefit is around $250 per year, and is paid in a lump sum directly to the applicant’s utility company.  Last year, IHCDA’s Energy Assistance Program served more than 159,000 households.