Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Lt. Governor Judge, Attorney General Miller Urge Ice Storm Victims To Be Wary Of Contractor Promises
DES MOINES – Today, Lt. Governor Patty Judge and Attorney General Tom Miller urged Iowans who have been affected by last week’s ice storms to use caution when selecting a contractor to help repair damages. The Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division (HSEMD) has received reports that some vendors are going door-to-door offering services or goods to help residents recover from the severe winter storm of last weekend while promising government reimbursement. Vendors are also approaching county and city governments with the same type of promises.
Some vendors have told residents that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will reimburse them for the cost of a generator or for their work in removing storm debris from private property. Officials emphasize that while there is a program to reimburse costs for the most needy Iowans, there is not a program to cover these costs for most Iowans.
“While emergencies like last week’s ice storms often bring out the best in people, sometimes it brings out the worst,” said Lieutenant Governor Patty Judge. “Most contractors are working within the law and want to help Iowans. Unfortunately, there are a few individuals out there who are trying to make a profit on the backs of those most in need during the recovery effort. Governor Culver and I will continue to work closely with the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division to protect innocent Iowans and ensure a quick and efficient recovery.”
Contractors have claimed to be “FEMA certified,” but FEMA does not endorse or recommend any private business.
If you have been approached by someone claiming they are “FEMA certified” to remove debris, or claims that a generator will be reimbursed by FEMA, you should contact your local law enforcement officials or the Iowa Attorney General Consumer Hotline at 888-777-4590, or, in Des Moines, call 281-5926. For more information regarding tree and storm debris removal, visit the Attorney General’s website at http://www.state.ia.us/government/ag/consumer/advisories/tree_trim.html.
Following last week’s storms, assessment teams are now reviewing damages in the southern third of Iowa and some counties in eastern Iowa. After those teams have completed their work later this week, the Governor’s Office will determine whether a request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration will be made. That request could take days to several weeks before a final decision is made by the President.
Last week, Governor Culver proclaimed 23 counties disaster areas, allowing low income Iowans to apply for Iowa’s individual disaster assistance program.
Administered by the Iowa Department of Human Services, the program allows Iowans with household incomes of up to 130 percent of federal poverty guidelines to apply for a grant of up to $3,300 to recover from damage from the ice storm. The Governor emphasized that this is a reimbursement program, meaning that applicants must include receipts when applying for help.
The grant application and step-by-step instructions on how to fill it out are found on the front page of the Department of Human Services website: dhs.iowa.gov. Look for the words "Storm Help,” or individuals can call toll-free (877) 937-3663 to find out more.
The 23 proclaimed disaster counties were: Appanoose, Adams, Cedar, Clarke, Davis, Decatur, Fremont, Jefferson, Keokuk, Linn, Lucas, Mahaska, Marion, Monroe, Page, Ringgold, Taylor, Union, Van Buren, Wapello, Warren, Washington and Wayne. Cedar County was proclaimed a disaster area last Thursday.