Biography

Senator R. Michael Young

Indiana State Senator, District 35

200 W. Washington Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204

(317) 232-9400
(800) 382-9467

FEMA extends deadline for public assistance applications

Columbus, Indiana (July 16, 2008) – Governor Mitch Daniels today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved the state’s request for a 30-day....More

Storm recovery help continues with new Office of Disaster Recovery

INDIANAPOLIS (July 7, 2008) – Governor Mitch Daniels has created the Office of Disaster Recovery to lead the state’s efforts to repair and rebuild following the series of storms that struck much of Indiana in late May and early June. Andy Miller, the director of the state Department of Agriculture, will be assigned to manage the activities of the office....More

New state program offers $50 million
restoration aid for flood-damaged farmland

Deadlines near to apply for federal disaster assistance

(STATEHOUSE) – State Treasurer Richard Murdock has announced creation of the Treasurer’s Conservation Assistance Program (T-CAP) to provide assistance to Hoosier farmers who have suffered damages to their farmlands due to recent flooding throughout the state.....More

State to receive $2.4 million for emergency unemployment assistance

INDIANAPOLIS (June 19, 2008) – Governor Mitch Daniels today announced that Indiana will receive a $2.4 million National Emergency Grant (NEG) from the U.S. Department of Labor to provide temporary employment for up to 200 workers dislocated by recent severe weather and flooding....More

Purdue experts and ISDA offer advice to farmers intending to replant

Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service experts and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, with sponsorship from the Indiana Corn Growers Association and the Indiana Soybean Alliance, have joined forces to assist farmers with technical assistance relating to the recent floods. The group hosted a call-in forum on Friday, June 20 to provide technical assistance to crop farmers. Technical advice focused specifically on recovering and replanting flooded fields.

The forum was recorded and will be available on both the ISDA (http://www.isda.in.gov/) and Purdue Extension (www.extension.purdue.edu/eden/disastertopics/floodstorms/index.html)

Resources are available to residents affected by flooding

Fourty-two Indiana counties are now approved by President George W. Bush to receive federal assistance for homeowners, renters, farmers and businesses impacted by recent storms and flooding:

Adams
Bartholomew
Benton
Brown
Clay
Daviess
Dearborn
Decatur
Fountain
Grant
Greene
Hamilton
Hancock
Hendricks
Henry
Huntington
Jackson
Jay
Jefferson
Jennings
Johnson
Knox
Lawrence
Madison
Marion
Monroe
Montgomery
Morgan
Owen
Parke
Pike
Putnam
Randolph
Ripley
Rush
Shelby
Sullivan
Tippecanoe
Vermillion
Vigo
Washington
Wayne

Bush’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals for damage from the series of storms that struck Indiana from May 30 to June 7.

Damage assessments for other Indiana counties and dates are continuing and are being submitted to the federal government as completed.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help residents, farmers and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Residents and business owners who sustained losses in those counties can begin applying for assistance now by registering online at http://www.fema.gov/ or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (local time) seven days a week.

Indiana has received several other federal approvals that will help Hoosiers impacted by severe storms in Indiana.

Agriculture

U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Edward Schafer told the governor on June 15 that any county declared a disaster area by President Bush would also receive agricultural disaster designation. The disaster designation allows farmers in the counties that have so far been approved for individual assistance to apply for low-interest emergency loans from the USDA Farm Service Agency.

Gov. Mitch Daniels also requested Secretary Schafer activate and fund three conservation programs to assist Hoosier farmers with sediment build-up, topsoil erosion, debris removal and wash-outs which will keep many farmers out of their fields and prevent replanting, haying or any other activity. Daniels also encouraged USDA to make full use of its authority and programs to find meaningful ways to help livestock farmers in need.

State Highways

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration has approved the state’s application for emergency relief funds. That means Indiana will have up to $100 million more available for state highway repairs and full reimbursement for temporary repairs to state highways as well as expedited review, approval, contract letting and permitting processes to speed up work.

Public Health

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has declared a public health emergency that will waive some rules for health care providers and the services they provide. For example, Medicare Part D recipients who have damaged or destroyed residences will be able to obtain prescription refills. The Department of Health and Family and Social Services Administration will follow up with more information on this week.

Food Stamps

The USDA has given approval to issue emergency food stamps in the first eight counties that received approval for individual assistance – Bartholomew, Hancock, Johnson, Morgan, Marion, Monroe, Vermillion and Vigo – and other counties are expected to be added at the beginning of the week. The Disaster Food Stamp program may help county residents who were affected by the disaster, including those not currently receiving state assistance. More information is available from the Family and Social Services Administration.

Here is a summary of assistance programs and phone numbers that may help residents in their recovery efforts from these storms.

WHAT’S AVAILABLE FROM FEMA:

Application for Federal Emergency Management Agency Assistance: It is not necessary to visit a FEMA office to file an application. Applications may be accessed on-line at https://www.disasteraid.fema.gov/IAC/ , http://www.fema.gov/ or www.emergency.in.gov. People may also call 1-800-621-FEMA or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free numbers are available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week. You need your Social Security number, your current and pre-disaster address, a phone number where you can be contacted, insurance information, total household income, a routing and account number from your bank, and a description of your losses. FEMA recommends you take pictures of any damage for your records.
Qualifying for assistance: To receive money or help for housing needs that are result of a disaster, you must have losses in an area that has been declared a disaster by the president (see above for county listing); damage to your property is either not covered by your insurance or your insurance settlement is insufficient to meet your losses; you or someone who lives with you is a U.S. citizen, a non-citizen national or qualified alien; damage is to a home where you usually live and were living at the time of the disaster; and you have accepted assistance from all other sources for which you are eligible.
Housing needs: Money to rent a different place to live or government provided housing.
Other than housing needs: Money is available for disaster-related medical and dental costs; disaster-related funeral and burial costs; clothing, household items (room furnishings, appliances) tools and other equipment required for your job; educational materials (computers, school books and supplies); fuels for primary heat source (heating oil, gas); clean-up items (wet/dry vacuum, dehumidifier); disaster damaged vehicle; moving and storage expenses related to the disaster, including moving and storing property to avoid additional disaster damage while disaster-related repairs are being made to the home.
Repair: Money to repair damage from disaster to a primary residence that is not covered by insurance that will make it safe, sanitary and functional.
Replacement: Money is available to homeowners for replacing a home in a disaster not covered by insurance.
Permanent Housing Construction: Direct assistance or money for construction of a home; help available only in insular areas or remote locations specified by FEMA where no other type of housing assistance is possible.

WHERE YOU CAN GO TO GET HELP:

Housing support: Listing of emergency shelters; listing of temporary housing; rental assistance; applications for Small Business Administration home disaster loans.
Social Services: Replacement and emergency food stamps; application for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Food Stamps, Medicaid and child care; listing of available child care providers; mental health service referrals; mobile feeding; Red Cross and Salvation Army case work; crisis counseling.
Unemployment Insurance: The Indiana Department of Workforce Development is urging workers laid off due to recent flooding and tornado events to apply for unemployment benefits during the first week they do not receive a paycheck from their company. Applications for state unemployment benefits or Disaster Unemployment Insurance are available at disaster centers or by calling 1-800-891-6499.
Insurance Information: Interpretation of insurance policies by staff of the Indiana Department of Insurance; information on lost or damaged policies; information on obtaining copies of insurance policies; general insurance navigation advice and complaint resolution; car insurance assistance; representatives from private insurers on site to answer questions.
Public Health Information: Clean-up advice and education including mold removal and prevention; vaccination information, including tetanus shots; information regarding free well water testing; access and information to vital records such as birth and death certificates; listing of open medical treatment facilities.
Transportation Assistance: Rental car information; vehicle title and registration replacement or apply for a salvage vehicle title via the BMV; car insurance assistance from agents of major private insurance providers; replacement of driver licenses and identification cards.
Business and Financial Services: Application assistance for SBA Disaster Loans from small business counselors from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation; business continuation and planning consulting from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.
Agriculture: Representatives from the Department of Agriculture will be available to answer questions.

DISASTER ASSISTANCE FOR BUSINESSES:

The U.S. Small Business Administration offers long-term, low-interest loans to repair or replace damaged property for businesses – regardless of size – in a declared disaster area. For more information, call 1-800-659-2955.

Here are some of the things offered by the SBA:

Physical disaster loans: Businesses of all sizes may apply for a loan of up to $1.5 million to repair or replace damaged real estate, equipment, inventory and fixtures. These loans cover both insured and uninsured losses. Interest rate on this loan will not exceed 4 percent.
Economic Injury Disaster Loans: Small businesses and small agricultural cooperatives suffering substantial economic injury may be eligible for these loans up to $1.5 million to meet necessary financial obligations – expenses the business would have paid if the disaster had not occurred. Interest rate on this loan will not exceed 4 percent.
Downloadable applications: Businesses may apply directly to the SBA at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance/basics/howtoapply/index.html

KEY PHONE NUMBERS:

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 1-800-621-3362
Red Cross: 1-800-438-4636
Indiana State Police: 317-477-1125
Emergency Food Stamp Assistance: 1-800-403-0864
Indiana Department of Insurance: 1-800-622-4461
Indiana Department of Agriculture: 317-290-3030; Livestock Loss 317-227-0300
Indiana Department of Environmental Management Oil/Chemical Spill Hotline: 1-888-233-7745
Unemployment: 1-800-891-6499
U.S. Small Business Administration: 1-800-659-2955

OTHER IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER

Computers available at FSSA, Work One Centers:
Those wishing to apply for FEMA assistance in counties qualifying for disaster assistance may use computers at these centers. Call the toll-free information line to find the office closest to you.
Volunteers and donations:
To help Hoosiers affected by severe weather, the Indiana Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives (OFBCI) is coordinating private volunteer and donation efforts with the American Red Cross. A toll free number has been established to create a central repository of statewide volunteers. The telephone number is: 1-888-335-9490. OFBCI also will coordinate donations of needed supplies and goods. A storage and distribution center has been established at Pen Products, 6075 Lakeside Boulevard, near I-465 and 71st Street, in Indianapolis. Donations will be organized at that location and sent to areas with the greatest needs. Among needed items are cleaning supplies, water, and personal hygiene products. For directions to the distribution center, call 1-800-736-2550.
Constant updates:
The latest information from state agencies about coordinated relief and recovery efforts is available at www.emergency.in.gov.
Cleaning supplies needed
As the disaster response efforts in Indiana shift to clean-up and recovery, the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (OFBCI), which is coordinating volunteer and donation efforts with the American Red Cross, is seeking large donations of cleaning and related supplies during this critical state of recovery.
OFBCI is facilitating this process by providing an online link to AidMatrix Network, a national donations management network sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and private sector businesses. AidMatrix Network assists businesses that would like to make large donations. Priority items right now are: cleaning supplies, bulk cases of bleach, trash bags, masks, mops, buckets, heavy-duty leather gloves, Nitrile rubber gloves and other sanitation items.
Business donors can go to www.ofbci.in.gov and click on how you can help. Donations also may be made at the drop-off location at Pen Products, 6074 Lakeside Boulevard, near I-465 and 71st Street, in Indianapolis. Donors may call the warehouse at 1-800-736-2550 to schedule donation drop-offs.
In addition, those interested in volunteering may contact the OFBCI at 1-888-335-9490. OFBCI has created a central repository for statewide volunteers and is matching volunteers to opportunities that best meet their skills and resources.Media contact: Ike Randolph, OFBCI, 317/727-1141
Indiana Department of Revenue
The state Department of Revenue (DOR) is providing immediate relief to individuals and businesses in counties where individual and public assistance has been approved. Among efforts, the deadline for estimated income tax payments and filing of such estimated returns for impacted taxpayers has been extended for 30 days and the deadline to submit withholding and sales taxes for impacted small businesses has been extended for 30 days. DOR representatives are available in DOR district offices and at state disaster assistance centers to help victims obtain copies of records, such as state income tax returns and payment plan coupons. A link to the department notice may be found at: http://www.in.gov/dor/3931.htm
The governor also has directed the department to extend the Indiana Restricted Commercial Drivers License (CDL) for a second 90-day period through September 30. Many agriculture chemical companies use temporary drivers under this form of CDL for farm delivery and services.

FSSA Announces Services For Flood Victims

The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) is offering several means of assistance for victims of flooding in Indiana. FSSA is providing replacement food stamps, new food stamp applications, crisis counseling and services for the aging and disabled.

To View the Summary of the 2008 New Laws click here

Indiana State House, 200 W. Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204

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