DHR has developed a plan to give a one-time cash payment to families with children who are in Alabama and are currently not able to return home due to Hurricane Katrina. This program is part of Governor Bob Riley’s "Operation Golden Rule," a statewide effort to assist Alabama hurricane victims and evacuees from Mississippi and Louisiana.
"Qualified applicants and family members must have evacuated from one of the designated federal disaster areas in Alabama, Louisiana, or Mississippi, said state DHR Commissioner Page Walley.
As of October 5th, DHR has accepted over 6,500 applications and awarded just under $1.5 million in cash benefits to Katrina evacuees.
"We are most pleased that the Department has been able to help so many disaster victims", said DHR Commissioner Page Walley. "Helping our neighbors in need is at the core of our normal mission and we wanted to lend a helping hand to the Katrina victims."
Evacuees should apply at the local DHR office in the Alabama county where they currently reside. October 14, 2005 is the application deadline. These one-time payments will range from $760 to $1,100, depending upon family size.
This program, Stay Together and Renew (STAR), is separate from Alabama’s Family Assistance (FA) program, Commissioner Walley noted.
"Current TANF recipients (FA in Alabama) are not eligible to apply for these payments, he said. Although program requirements have been streamlined, applicants must provide a valid social security number for each adult included in the application. They should also bring any identifying documents they may have with them including proof of identity, relationship to the children, and information about their current and former residences.
In order to qualify, applicants must have a gross monthly income that is less than two hundred percent (200%) of the federal poverty guidelines according to family size.
"The payments will be issued via an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, which will be mailed to those recipients with a mailing address. Those who do not have a mailing address may pick up their card at the county DHR office where they applied", said Commissioner Walley.
Benefits should be available within 3-5 days after the application is processed.