Mayor Michael Nutter is pleased to announce that FEMA has declared that residents of Philadelphia, who experienced damages due to Hurricane Irene, are eligible for Individual Assistance as a result of the Presidential Disaster Declaration on September 3. Individuals and households who suffered damages from August 26 to August 30 may apply for assistance.rn “We are grateful for the help and support provided by President Barack Obama, Governor Tom Corbett, and our Congressional delegation for securing this disaster assistance for Philadelphia residents,†said Mayor Nutter. “This disaster assistance was made possible thanks to a well-coordinated effort from local, state, and federal agencies.â€rn Other counties receiving the Individual Assistance declaration are Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Sullivan and Wyoming counties.rn Individual Assistance for homeowners and renters can include grants to help pay for temporary rental assistance, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses not met by insurance or other assistance programs. Also, low-interest disaster loans from the U. S. Small Business Administration may be available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.rn In addition, FEMA has announced Public Assistance to State and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities in these Chester, Delaware, Luzerne, Northampton, Philadelphia, Pike, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming counties. For a detailed breakdown of the types of Public Assistance available by category visit the FEMA website at http://www.fema.gov/news/eventcounties.fema?id=15592.rnrnFEMA has also announced that Philadelphia County is eligible for Hazard Mitigation Grants. These grants provide assistance to State and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for actions taken to prevent or reduce long term risk to life and property from natural hazards. All jurisdictions in Pennsylvania are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. rnrnAdditional designations may be made at a later date after further evaluation.rn To apply for assistance, register online at http://www.disasterassistance.gov, by web enabled mobile devices at m.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.rn Philadelphians should stay tuned to local media for information about a Disaster Recovery Center to be opened in Philadelphia in the near future.rn For the latest updates from FEMA, follow FEMA online at blog.fema.gov, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.