Disaster Assistance Program Providing $30 Million

3/30/2009

Governor Pat Quinn announced that Illinois has received more than $30 million to support social and health services for disaster relief in 29 counties. The Social Services Block Grant Illinois Disaster Assistance Program (IDAP), administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services, will provide social and health services for individuals and families impacted by severe storms and flooding last year.

"With this funding, thousands of Illinoisans will get needed help to recover from the devastating storms and flooding of last year," said Governor Quinn.

Funds may be used for social service needs resulting from the floods such as mental health, family counseling, youth services, employment services, and temporary housing. Funds may also be used for individual needs including clothing, furniture, food, medication, household items as well as home repairs and renovations. Assistance must be deemed necessary to help meet the health care and social service needs of people affected by the disaster.

Funds will be allocated to disaster declared counties based on a formula that incorporates FEMA data on eligible registrants, as well as the nature and extent of damage in each county. Eligible counties will design and implement the service delivery plan for their area.

Eligibility for funding includes two primary criteria:

1. there is a need that is related to a disaster that occurred during an allowable time period, and
2. the identified need is from an area included in one of the federally declared major disaster counties.

Areas Eligible for Supplemental Funds and Eligible Time Period