Slow disaster dispersement frustrates lawmakers

DES MOINES – State lawmakers expressed frustration Tuesday over the slow progress in getting $56 million in disaster recovery aid they approved this year into the hands of eligible Iowans.

Documents supplied to the Senate Rebuild Iowa Committee indicated about $9.5 million of the specially earmarked funds currently have been dispersed through three state programs.

“Speed is an important measure of how well our disaster recovery is going and I'm a little disappointed with the figures,” said committee chairman Sen. Rob Hogg, D-Cedar Rapids. “I would like to see them speed this up and get this money out faster.”

Susan Judkins of the Rebuild Iowa Office said some communities in the 85 counties eligible for $22 million in community disaster grants have not yet applied but likely will do so by the April 1 deadline. She expected much of that pool of money to be expended by the end of next month.

Judkins said processing of the $10 million in individual disaster grants for unmet needs not covered by other federal or state programs has been slowed by the need to check for duplication with other program benefits. Assistance under that program is capped at $2,500 per family.

About $7.7 million of the $56 million in state emergency funds that Gov. Chet Culver signed into law Feb. 2 for disaster recovery purposes has been dispersed through the Jumpstart housing assistance program. There was a total of $24 million directed for that purpose under House File 64.