Residents in Southeast PA Can Apply For Federal Aid As President Biden Declares Disaster

SOUTHEASTERN PA — President Joe Biden has approved Pennsylvania's request for a major disaster declaration to be issued following the devastating impact of the remnants of Hurricane Ida on the region. The move clears the way for the allocation of significant federal aid and resources to local, county, and state governments to assist in recovery.

The historic storm brought at least $117 million in damages to public infrastructure in the state. Biden's approval seemed a given, as the threshold to receive aid is just $19.7 million. Residents in the hardest hit counties in the southeast, including Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia, and York, are eligible for individual assistance

RELATED: What Ida Left Behind In PA: Businesses, Homes, Roads Destroyed

“Pennsylvanians continue to recover from this deadly storm, which is why my administration made it a top priority to quickly seek federal assistance,” Gov. Tom Wolf said in a statement. “I’m grateful our president has responded swiftly, and the federal government worked with state and local officials to conduct damage assessments and determined that Pennsylvanians are deserving of this critical federal aid. Pennsylvanians will now have opportunities to receive financial assistance, which will go a long way toward replacing and restoring their property.”

To administer the federal aid, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency will work closely with FEMA. "A number" of disaster recovery centers will be opened in some of the hardest hit areas, although exact announcements have not yet been made. Temporary centers were open briefly in Montgomery and Chester counties last week. FEMA staff will be on hand at this new centers to assist residents with documents and applying for recovery aid.

Individuals in impacted areas can apply for aid directly by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or submitting a form through the federal government's Disaster Assistance website.

"Damage assessments are continuing in other areas, and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are fully completed," the White House's announcement stated.

Specifically, this assistance would provide residents help with home repair work, crisis counseling, unemployment counseling, disaster case management, legal services, and more. The declaration would also make the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program available to all 67 counties in the state, and businesses would qualify for help through the Small Business Administration.

Cleanup and recovery continues from the historic storm, which left four dead in Montgomery and Bucks counties and flooded countless roads, homes, and businesses.