The Village of
Berkeley has just been notified that
FEMA, the
Federal Emergency Management Agency, has approved federal
disaster assistance for residents of
Cook County for
flash flooding which occurred July 22-24, 2010. In order to
register for this assistance, you must either call
1-800-621-FEMA or apply online at
www.disasterassistance.gov. If you choose to register
through the website, there is a short questionnaire you must answer
that will determine your eligibility, and then you may fill out the
official application for aid.
Residents are encouraged to
apply as soon as possible as the registration process is not
expected to be open for more than 60 days.
In
addition to this federal assistance, the State of Illinois
Treasurer’s Office is offering the Opportunity
Illinois:
Disaster Recovery Loan Program for impacted residents. This
program offers low interest loans to residents and businesses in
declared disaster areas that are waiting for insurance settlements
or aid programs to take effect. Residents who do not have insurance
are also encouraged to apply. Loans may be used to pay costs for
repairs and expenses related to disaster recovery. In order to
qualify for this program, residents must apply within 90 days of the
disaster declaration. For more information and to see if you
qualify, call the Treasurer’s Disaster Recovery hotline at
(866) 523-0641 or visit
http://www.treasurer.il.gov/programs/opportunity-illinois/consumer-loans/storm-victims.aspx.
Thank
you for your patience during this lengthy process. If you have any
questions, please contact the
Village Hall at
(708) 449-8840.
TAX RELIEF
August 31, 2010
The Village of Berkeley has just been informed that residents may
qualify for tax flood relief. You may be able to claim unreimbursed
casualty losses on property that was destroyed by the July 23-24
flood. To read and download the 136-page packet, please go to
www.irs.gov/pub.irs-pdf/p2194.pdf or call 1-800-829-3676
to order a copy at no charge. If you have any questions about the
packet or forms, call 1-866-562-5227 for the IRS disaster help
hotline. Please consult a tax professional for assistance and advice
concerning this procedure.
The Village has also been notified that tax relief is also
available through the Cook County Assessor’s Office. Residential
property owners who experienced severe damage to their home as a
result of catastrophic events are eligible to receive a home
improvement exemption of up to $75,000. This exemption is available
when the residential structure is rebuilt within two years after a
catastrophic event. To file for a Catastrophic Event Exemption, the
property owner must complete a Residential Assessed Valuation Appeal
form and provide a detailed written description of the damages and
dates damages occurred, the estimated date of completion for
repairs, and all other pertinent records, such as photos, insurance
reports, and building permits. To find out if you qualify for this
exemption, call the Cook County Assessor’s office at (312) 443-7550.
If you qualify, forms are available at the Village Hall. For more
information, visit
www.cookcountyassessor.com .
If you have any questions, please call the Village Hall at
708-449-8840.
