WAYNE ALLEN

PDT Staff Writer

The state of Ohio through the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services has made disaster assistance available to residents of Scioto County effected by last weeks storms.

As a result of the storms of June 29th, Gov. John Kasich declared a state-of-emergency for the entire state. Scioto County has been listed among the 45 Ohio counties severely impacted by the storm.

“We (Scioto County) had a lot of people that were impacted by this storm. In a lot of cases when people lost their power, they lost food,” said Paige Robbins, Director of Scioto County Department of Job and Family Services. “People experienced a lot of out-of-pocket expenses to run generators and some people reported some minor damage to their home.”

Some of the items eligible for reimbursement include rent and deposit, home repair, food replacement, use of an alternative utility source such as a generator among many others.

“To qualify you have to be income eligible and you must be able to verify the circumstance,” Robbins said.

She said for those that qualify will be eligible to receive a one time payment of up to $750 per dwelling.

Robbins said with the allotted funding 400 households could be helped through this program.

“We will take applications, determine eligibility and approve those who qualify until the funds are gone,” Robbins said.

She said applications can be mailed to residents or can be picked up at the Scioto County Department of Job and Family Services at, 710 Court Street, Portsmouth.

“This is going to be good for our community because we have suffered a lot of loss. Those who are income eligible and did suffer a loss this will be a great thing,” Robbins said.

For more information call 740-354-6661.

Wayne Allen may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 208, or wallen@heartlandpublications.com.