President Clinton declared 11 Oklahoma counties as disaster areas following a series of tornadoes which reached F5 levels of destructive forces, entitling the state's affected residents to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster relief funds.

Last year, 20 southeastern Texas counties were designated disaster areas. Regions in Alabama, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri and Puerto Rico were previously designated as disaster areas warranting FEMA aid, due to storms, flooding and other harsh weather. What does FEMA do and how do residents apply for federal aid?

FEMA says its programs kick in only after the state declares an emergency, followed by a presidential declaration. The programs are then available to the extent that private insurance isn't or when private insurance does not provide benefits to completely cover losses.

For those eligible, the agency offers a number of programs.

Temporary housing

The temporary housing program offers grants to residents displaced by disaster. Initial grants include one month's rent for displaced renters and up to three months' rent for displaced homeowners. Additional grants may be available on a case-by-case basis and the grants are based on the going market rate for temporary or rental housing in the disaster area.

Minimal repair program

If your home was damaged FEMA offers grants for structural repairs on homes. The grants are only enough to make your home habitable as quickly as possible. -- but only enough to make them habitable as quickly as possible. Individual and family grants

Funded by FEMA but administered by the state, individual and family grants are available to cover medical, funeral, transportation and personal property losses.

Disaster unemployment

Administered by your state, this program provides benefits similar to unemployment benefits for those who temporarily lose jobs or hours on the job and do not otherwise qualify for state benefits. The benefits are based on your past income and are paid for up to 26 weeks.

Low interest loans

Home loans are available through the Small Business Administration to cover disaster damage to primary residences. Additional loans are available to cover personal property losses, including losses suffered by renters. The lowest rates go to those who exhibit the least ability to repay.

FEMA also makes business loans available for property losses and for cash-flow problems stemming from the disaster.

Farmers, ranchers and aquaculture operators can be eligible for loans from the Farm Services Agency. These loans cover production and property losses, but not primary residences.

Additional assistance

FEMA also funds up to 75 percent of the costs of removing debris from public areas and for emergency measures to save lives and protect property. And it will pay a 75 percent share of costs for mitigation and rebuilding later to reduce disaster destruction in the event of a future flood.

The federal agency also funds trauma crisis counseling programs, income tax assistance for filing casualty losses, legal assistance, veterans benefits and help with Social Security issues.

For specific dollar amounts on grants and loans and more information on all FEMA programs, visit the FEMA Web site.

Published: May 6, 1999

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Blanche Evans is the award-winning senior editor of Realty Times, the Internet's leading independent real estate news service. She is featured daily on the Realty Times Video Network in the "Realty Viewpoint" segment. Blanche has been named one of the "25 Most Influential People In Real Estate" by REALTOR Magazine, and has been twice recognized as a "notable." In 2005, she was named "Top Reporter Covering the NAR" by Delahaye-Bacon's. Blanche is a renowned author of five real estate books. Her newest, Bubbles, Booms and Busts: Make Money In Any Real Estate Market, McGraw-Hill, was rave-reviewed by The New York Times. She was also selected from hundreds of real estate experts to contribute to Donald Trump's book, Trump: The Best Real Estate Advice I Ever Received: 100 Top Experts Share Their Strategies, Rutledge Hill Press, and is featured on page 68. Order Now Review - Honors In 2006, Blanche was selected among scores of candidates to author two consumer real estate guidebooks for the National Association of Realtors: The NAR Guide to Home Buying, and The NAR Guide to Home Selling, Wiley & Sons. She is currently planning two new books for the NAR and its members.       Known for her keen insight into real estate industry issues and for her ability to make complex subjects easy to understand, Blanche is a sought-after keynote and continuing education speaker. Real estate organizations from MLSs, to brokerages, to franchisors, to associations hire her to provide up-to-the-minute analysis of real estate industry news and advice on how to improve revenues. Her passionate delivery, peppered with stinging wit, is a huge hit with audiences and fans. Don Klein, CEO Greater Nashville Association of Realtors, Blanche Evans, Richard Courtney, president 2007, GRAR "The GNAR membership meeting last week featured Blanche Evans as the keynote speaker. Her comments and insights resonated extremely well with those in attendance and we have had many requests for copies of her PowerPoint Presentation. She was a terrific part of the membership meeting and convention program!" - Don Klein, CEO Greater Nashville Association of Realtors Coverage from WSMV, Nashville - 8-14-2007 That Interview Guy - Get Inside The Head Of Today's Generation 2007 AE Institute Session - To purchase 2006 AE Institute Session - Parts 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 HouseValues Mastermind call - Parts 1 2 Blanche's fireside chat with Jeremy Conaway, HAR - Click here. To contact Blanche, email her at . For more articles by Blanche, click here.