WASHINGTON—Senators Chuck Grassley, Tom Harkin and the rest of the Iowa delegation today sent a letter to Federal Emergency Management Agency, Federal Coordinating Officer William Vogel, asking him to extend the deadline for victims of Iowa floods to apply for Individual Assistance. Iowa Homeland Security Director David Miller made the request earlier today. The request asks FEMA to extend the deadline from September 29 to October 31, 2008.
“What’s important is that any Iowan in need of assistance is able to apply. Iowa has put together a new program to address this extraordinary disaster that requires people to have signed up for federal assistance. Iowans may need extra time to study this new program and decide if it’s necessary to sign up,” Grassley said. “The historic nature of this summer’s floods, tornadoes and severe weather requires special consideration and I hope Mr. Vogel will recognize the need and honor the request.”
“Many Iowans are busy picking up the pieces and figuring out how to put their lives back together. It’s reasonable for the Washington bureaucracy to give them some extra time to apply for disaster assistance with FEMA,” said Harkin. “I hope the agency moves quickly to allow this extension so that Iowans have one less thing to worry about.”
Grassley and Harkin continue to push Congress to pass disaster relief for victims of severe weather in Iowa. Earlier this week, a bipartisan agreement was reached on disaster tax package that will be included in a must-pass, year-end tax bill. The Senators continue to work on a supplemental appropriation for Iowa that is expected to be included in other legislation this year.
Click here to view a copy of the letter.