$12 million in federal assistance provided to Illinois tornado survivors

Nearly $12 million has been granted through federal disaster assistance programs to residents and businesses affected by tornadoes that hit Illinois last fall, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said Monday.

The funds come to survivors through FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Related: Insured losses from U.S. Midwest storms will reach into hundreds of millions of dollars

According to FEMA, as of Jan. 9, the funds and assistance included: 

• Nearly $9.8 million in low-interest disaster loans approved by SBA for homeowners and renters.
• More than $2 million in FEMA grants for temporary rental assistance, home repair costs, and other essential disaster-related needs like medical and dental expenses and replacement of lost personal possessions.
• 1,181 visits to disaster recovery centers by people affected by the disaster.
• 603 home inspections completed.
• 2 disaster recovery centers currently open.

SBA disaster loans are available with interest rates potentially as low as 2.25% and terms of up to 30 years, FEMA noted.