Storm Victims Face Deadline for Aid

Individuals whose homes and businesses sustained storm-related damage since Feb. 13 have until May 11 to apply for state and federal disaster assistance, officials said.

Those applying can call a toll-free number--(800) 462-9029--to register automatically for a wide range of state and federal programs that provide for low-interest loans or grants to victims of the winter storms.

“You don’t have to apply for each of the programs individually,” said Mary Donev, a spokeswoman for the Federal Emergency Management Agency office in Pasadena.

Also, the deadline to apply for disaster unemployment insurance is May 3. That application must be made through a local state Employment Development Department office. That program offers aid for farm workers and self-employed people who lost their jobs because of the storms.

Since Feb. 13, more than 8,100 claims for state and federal disaster assistance have been made in Los Angeles County, with more than $31 million in aid requested.

For hearing-impaired callers, the TDD number for applications is (800) 462-7585.

For general information about disaster assistance or to make a change to a previously filed application, call (800) 525-0321. For hearing-impaired callers, the number is (800) 660-8005.