Text 1363, 99 rader
Skriven 2005-09-08 23:33:02 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0509088) for Thu, 2005 Sep 8
===================================================
===========================================================================
Fact Sheet: President Bush Announces New Initiatives to Provide Relief
===========================================================================

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
September 8, 2005

Fact Sheet: President Bush Announces New Initiatives to Provide Relief



Today's Presidential Action:

Today, President Bush Announced Two New Initiatives Providing Immediate
Assistance To Hurricane Katrina Evacuees. The President has directed the
Federal government to provide immediate financial assistance and streamline
Federal benefits for evacuees. These steps will ensure that help is
delivered into the hands of those who need it as quickly and easily as
possible.

Immediate Financial Assistance:

  þ The Federal Government Will Provide Evacuees $2,000 In Needed Financial
    Assistance. The Federal government is working to provide $2,000 in
    immediate emergency disaster relief to every household affected by
    Hurricane Katrina. To expedite the process, the President has directed
    the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to work with the Red
    Cross and large shelters like the Houston Astrodome to get the funds
    into citizens' hands as soon as possible. Those victims who are
    currently staying with families, friends, in hotels, or at smaller
    shelters provided by churches, synagogues, and other community
    organizations, can register for help benefits by calling 1-800-621-FEMA
    or if they have internet access, by visiting www.fema.gov . This
    immediate financial assistance will be available to help evacuees with
    transportation, clothing, housing, and food costs and is just the first
    step on the road to full recovery.

  þ The Federal Government Is Working To Expedite The Aid Process. FEMA is
    reaching out to evacuees and assisting them in applying for Federal
    aid. More than 400,000 evacuees have already been registered.
    Registration is the first step in receiving assistance and the process
    is being expedited to quickly and efficiently provide help to those in
    need. FEMA workers are working in shelters and recovery centers to
    ensure that those displaced by Hurricane Katrina receive the food,
    shelter, clothing, and financial assistance they need. And FEMA has
    3,000 people working around the clock taking calls at 1-800-621-FEMA to
    help victims get the assistance they need.

Working To Ensure Continuity Of Benefits

  þ The Federal Government Will Streamline Benefits To Evacuees. While the
    Nation is focused on providing evacuees with immediate needs such as
    food, water, and shelter, many need to begin the process of rebuilding
    their lives. Many victims need access to the benefits they received
    before Hurricane Katrina struck - programs like Medicaid, Temporary
    Assistance for Needy Families, Head Start, and Food Stamps. Recognizing
    that most evacuees have lost records and legal documents, the Federal
    government will grant special "evacuee" status to streamline and
    simplify the enrollment process, and provide financial assistance to
    states for the cost of care. This will make it easier for evacuees to
    register and collect benefits in whatever state they now reside.

  þ Evacuees Will Have Access To The Full Range Of Services. States housing
    evacuees already have in place the systems and expertise to enroll
    displaced people into benefit programs. State enrollment teams are
    currently operating in shelters and many have 1-800 information
    numbers. Any evacuee can go to the nearest state or local benefits
    office to get information and enroll. For those with access to the
    internet, they can get information at www.govbenefits.gov. Evacuees can
    apply for the full range of Federal benefits administered by the states
    - such as Medicaid, child care, mental health services, Food Stamps,
    housing, and job training. By streamlining the process, the Federal
    government is ensuring that evacuees can receive needed Federal
    benefits.

  þ Federal Help To States. To help states with the costs of providing
    immediate care and immediate benefits for their fellow Americans, the
    President is working with Congress to reimburse the states that are
    taking in evacuees from the affected areas along the Gulf Coast. The
    Federal government is committed to helping the states provide the
    services that evacuees need, including education, health care, mental
    health, child welfare, child care, and family reunification.

Next Friday Is A National Day Of Prayer

  þ The President Has Declared Friday, September 16, 2005, A National Day
    Of Prayer And Remembrance. Throughout our history, Americans have come
    together in prayer to heal and seek strength. To honor the victims and
    survivors of this devastating hurricane, the President has declared
    Friday, September 16, 2005, as a National Day of Prayer and
    Remembrance.

# # #
===========================================================================
Return to this article at:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/09/20050908-8.html

 * Origin: (1:3634/12)