Possible Temporary Work in Disaster Cleanup In Central, Southern, and Northwest Ohio

As I've often said, grant money does the darndest things, running out and eventually wending its way to individuals in all manner of fashion.  Who knew that disaster funds for storms that hit Ohio this summer would end up in...the Department of Labor, given out to south and central Ohio counties to hire people in temporary positions to do cleanup work after the storms?  It's true. 

Thirty seven counties in Ohio were declared part of a disaster area from storms that occurred between June 29th through July 2nd, by the Federal Emergency Management Administration, and the Department of Labor gave them $21 million emergency grant for cleanup labor.  Of the 37, 19 counties have applied to the Department of Labor to hire temporary cleanup workers.  Part of the reason is that there are costs for the recipient counties as well that not all these localities can bear. But which are the 19?  I've looked, but could only identify some from news stories: Licking, Muskingum, Morgan, and  Fairfield.

Those eligible to be hired must have lost their home or job in the disaster, be one of the long-term unemployed, be a "dislocated worker" (whose job was lost through foreign trade), or a returning veteran.  They are limited to working up to about 1000 hours and $12,000 in wages in the program.  If your county is one of the 37 with disaster aid, and you fall into one of the group of eligible workers, how can you find out if your county is one of the 19 which has the aid to hire people?  Call your county's Jobs and Family Services, which will be in charge of hiring the temporary workers.

***NEW****As of October 3, there is hiring in Hancock County to clean up wind damage for up to 26 weeks.  See the story for details.  You can apply at JobSolutions in Findlay between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.  Call 419-429-8083 to learn more.
 

Lower-Cost Loans for Ohioans With Recent Disaster Losses

Most disaster aid that people are used to comes from the federal agency FEMA.  In Ohio, however, homeowners, business people and farm owners who suffered property damage in the storms that hit the state on the weekend of June 30th can apply to the state's Treasurer's office for lower-cost loans through two linked deposit programs, Renew and Rebuild.  Renew is for the small business and agriculture community; Rebuild is for homeowners.  Like most linked-deposit programs, the reduction in the loan's interest rate is linked to the deposit of state treasury money in the lending institution.  The state deposits a CD in that institution, and the institution gives the property owner to whom they loan the money a 3% break in the interest rate.  Ohio already has several such plans dealing with business, agriculture and forestry loans, and even personal savings. 

For to apply for Renew or Rebuild, you need some simple requirements: you need to have suffered property damage through these storms, found a lending institution that will loan you the money and participate in the program, and agree to the monitoring procedures.  The lender has to fill out the forms, and send them in to the state Treasurer's office.    If you have any questions, call the Treasurers' office at 1-800-228-1102, option #3.

Disaster Money, and How to Find It

The terrible tornadoes and storms in the south remind us how fragile life is, and how quickly it (and all our possessions) can be taken away.  Where do you find help?
If a "natural disaster" is declared by the federal government, the Federal Emergency Management Agency is the place to go.  In the case of Alabama, Oklahoma, and North Carolina, web pages have been created to let people know how to get help.  You can follow the links, or remember this number: 1-800-621-3362.  It's the general number to find FEMA disaster assistance.  If you live in another part of the country harmed by a declared disaster, here's a link to all the federally declared disasters for 2011, with links that tell you how to get assistance.  Here, in general, is a step-by-step of what you are eligible for, and how to apply.
Besides help for individuals, the SBA also offers low-interest loans for businesses hurt by disasters.  Likewise, the USDA has disaster assistance programs, and the Internal Revenue Service has a page devoted to tax assistance to disaster victims.  Don't forget to check out your state's page for disaster management--the link is at the bottom of the SBA page.