Emergency Disaster Assistance Questions Answered
Useful information for anyone interested in applying for assistance;
See regulations for details (copies of regulations available on request)
Who is eligible to receive Emergency Disaster Assistance?
- Family gross income must be below the Federal poverty level guidelines
- Commercial Salmon Fishing permit holders in the disaster area who held and utilized the permit between January 1, 1997 and July 30, 1998.
- Commercial Salmon Fishing Crew License holders who purchased the license between January 1, 1997 and July 30, 1998 and whose employer holds a Commercial Salmon Fishing permit for the disaster area.
- Cannery workers/processors who worked for a salmon cannery/processing plant in the disaster area during the 1998 fishing season or worked for a salmon cannery/processing plant in 1997 and were unemployed in 1998 due to the disaster.
- Subsistence users of the Yukon River drainage salmon stocks in 1998 who caught or received less than half the salmon they or their family usually eats because of low salmon runs. (Subsistence applicants must also be residents of one of the designated subsistence communities whose salmon stocks were subjected to state regulatory restrictions on subsistence salmon fishing in 1998 due to extremely low runs.)
Are the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend and Longevity
Bonus or Essential Living Expenses Program counted as income on my application?
No, they are not counted as part of your annual income for the purpose of the Emergency Disaster Assistance program.
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2/ Emergency Disaster Assistance Questions Answered…
When can I apply for Emergency Disaster Assistance?
The Emergency Disaster Assistance program is open until April 20, 1999. You may apply over the phone, Monday through Saturday, between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. The toll free number is 1-888-388-3473.
What do I need to have when I call in to apply for
assistance?
You will be asked to provide your family’s 1998 income at the time of application. You will also need to give the age, date of birth, and social security numbers for all family members who live in your home and are declared as dependants on your IRS statement.
How is the Emergency Disaster Assistance disbursed?
Payment in the amount that you qualify for will be sent directly to the authorized service vendor(s) of your choice. (For example, you may designate a certain amount of your assistance to be sent to a grocery store for purchase of food items.)
What types of essential needs can this assistance be
used for?
The Commercial Fishing Disaster Assistance will provide funding for Food (Food Stamp eligible items), Heating Fuel Oil or Natural Gas, Gasoline for subsistence hunting, Electric, and Water / Sewer services. The Subsistence Fishing Disaster Assistance will provide funding only for Food (Food Stamp eligible items).
Can I apply for the Emergency Disaster Assistance
program even if my heat and utilities are included in my rent?
Yes, you may still be eligible, but will need to assign any assistance awarded to other types of allowed vendors.
What are the letters/forms that I receive after I call
in my application?
You will receive a letter of statement and release, confirming the information you called in on your application, as well as a statement certifying your disaster need and authorizing the State to verify all information provided to determine eligibility. You may also receive a pre-approval letter stating the assistance you could be eligible for. The letter will also inform you of the verification required to approve your disaster assistance. Also, you may be asked to provide copies of additional documentation such as proof of 1998 employment and income.
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3/ Emergency Disaster Assistance Questions Answered…
How often will I receive assistance from the Emergency
Disaster Assistance program office?
This assistance is a one-time, lump-sum payment provided to the authorized vendors of the applicant’s choice.
Will I have to declare this assistance on my 1999 Income
Tax Return?
The Internal Revenue Service has not yet made a determination as to whether or not this assistance is considered declarable income. Further information will be announced as it becomes available.
What if I have other questions?
For complete information, the regulations and other information for this program can be found at the Western Alaska Fisheries Disaster web site at: www.ak-prepared.com/wafd. For other questions or to obtain a copy of the regulations you can call toll free: 1-888-388-3473, Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
1-888-388-3473
Quyumta Ikayurluki Nunamta Yui
(United to Help the People of Our Land)
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Alaska Division of Emergency Services Send mail to webmaster@ak-prepared.com with questions or
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Alaska Division of Emergency Services
PO Box 5750
Fort Richardson, AK 99505-5750
(907) 428-7000 (800)-478-2337
Fax (907) 428-7009
emer_svcs@ak-prepared.com
Send mail to webmaster@ak-prepared.com with questions or
comments about this website.
Copyright© 2001 Alaska Division of Emergency Services
Last Modified:
August 28, 2003
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Alaska Division of Emergency Services Send mail to webmaster@ak-prepared.com with questions or
comments about this website. |