(DES MOINES) – Governor Reynolds today (Wednesday) announced that conditional awards are beginning to be approved for disaster impacted Iowa homeowners through the state-funded Disaster Recovery Housing Assistance Program (DRHAP). The awards will allow homeowners to begin rebuilding or be reimbursed for eligible expenses incurred.

“Fast-tracking relief for disaster-impacted Iowans has been my priority, and I’m pleased to announce that funds have started being awarded to homeowners,” said Gov. Reynolds. “Those receiving conditional awards today, and in the days and weeks to come will be able to take another step towards recovery.”

The program addresses unmet housing recovery needs outside the scope of insurance coverage or FEMA Individual Assistance. Eligible homeowners can receive up to $50,000 for the repair or rehabilitation of their disaster-impacted home.

Applications are being reviewed as they are received and if deemed preliminarily eligible, are referred to a local administrative partner who will be the homeowner’s point of contact for inspections, feasibility for repair determination, scope of work and payment of eligible expenses. Applications are being accepted on an ongoing basis and will remain available until funds have been exhausted. Applications will be reviewed and approved on a first submitted, first ready to proceed basis.

Eligible homes must be located in a county approved for FEMA Individual Assistance following the three presidentially declared natural disasters this spring and summer. These counties currently include Adair, Adams, Buena Vista, Cedar, Cherokee, Clarke, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Harrison, Humboldt, Jasper, Lyon, Mills, Monona, Montgomery, O’Brien, Osceola, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Polk, Pottawattamie, Ringgold, Shelby, Sioux, Story Union and Woodbury.

Before applying for the state Disaster Recovery Housing Assistance Program, homeowners must first be registered for FEMA Individual Assistance and have been awarded some form of FEMA Housing Assistance, which may include home repairs or temporary housing. Homeowners must also have filed a claim with their insurance company, if they have coverage for disaster-related damages, and have received final approval or denial of their claim. Repair work must be completed by contractors who are registered to work in the state of Iowa to be eligible for payment under the program. Homes located in the Special Flood Hazard Area (100-year floodplain) and rental properties are ineligible.

More information about the DRHAP program, including an eligibility precheck is available at iowafinance.com/DRHAP. For information on other disaster-related programs and resources, visit disasterRecovery.iowa.gov.

Iowans are encouraged to be on the alert for disaster scams. State of Iowa disaster recovery programs do not charge a one-time or monthly fee to apply for assistance. To report a disaster recovery scam, contact the Office of the Attorney General of Iowa’s Consumer Protection Division at 888-777-4590 or by visiting iowaattorneygeneral.gov.