Athens County residents struggling to rebuild their lives after a tornado ravaged the area Sept. 16 will receive another $120,000 in disaster assistance through two programs that began this week.
Gov. Ted Strickland allocated $240,000 for Athens, Meigs and Perry counties Friday to jump start two programs that focus on rebuilding an individual’s life, not just their homes and possessions, said Amanda Wurst, Strickland’s press secretary.
“These programs are for anything that people might need because of the disaster,” said Nick Claussen, spokesman for Athens County Department of Job & Family Services. “(Residents) don’t have to use the money only for repairs.”
Athens County will receive $120,000 from the state, while Meigs and Perry Counties will acquire up to $60,000 each in disaster assistance, Wurst said.
Damage assessments conducted by each county’s Department of Job & Family Services determined how much is distributed to each county, she added.
The Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program is one funding source for residents. Applicants must live in Athens County and earn a household income at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level, Claussen said.
For example, a two-person household would have to earn less than $2,429 per month. A four-person household must earn less than $3,675 per month.
Households could receive $300, $1,000 or $1,500 in assistance depending upon the damage to the residence, Claussen said.
This program is specifically for families in need, he added.
The other funding source is for elderly and disabled residents of the county. Fund recipients must be 55 or older with no minor children and earn an annual income at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level, according to Job and Family Services news release.
Recipients could receive $300 or $750 in assistance for the property, depending on the amount of damage to their residence, according to the release.
Residents can apply for funds now through Oct. 22 or until the money runs out, Claussen said. Applicants must present their homes’ damage assessments to Job and Family Services. They will be notified within two weeks if they qualify for any aid, he added.
Job and Family Services conducted all assessments on homes damaged by the tornado within days of the touchdown, and will decide who receives aid and how much that would total within two weeks of the application’s submission, Claussen said.
“There’s a good chance the funding won’t cover everyone,” he said.
Although the funding will likely not cover everyone in need, there is no discussion about whether more money will be allocated to the county, Wurst said.
The provided aid will be useful for people in need, Athens County Commissioner Lenny Eliason said.
“This is for people who live below the poverty level,” he said. “They need all the help they can get.”