GALLIPOLIS — As as result of recent severe storms across the county, a special TANF (temporary assistance for needy families) and non-TANF funding allocation has been approved by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services for the use of local residents with unplanned expenses as a result of the emergency.

According to information provided by Gallia County Department of Job and Family Services (GCDJFS) Director Dana Glassburn, currently $30,000 in TANF funds and $7,500 in non-TANF funds have been allocated to the local agency for those who are eligible and were adversely affected by the storm.

The disaster assistance program is the result of a disaster declaration by the Governor of Ohio which declared 45 counties in Ohio, including Gallia County, as disaster areas as a result of the high wind storms of June 29 — storms that left the entire county without power for a minimum of four hours and thousands without electricity one week later.

Applications will be available at the GCDJFS office located at 848 Third Avenue, Gallipolis, until August 2 or until funds are no longer available. Applications can also be found on the gallianet.net website.

To be eligible in the program, total income of those that apply can not exceed 200 percent of the federal poverty level and only a one-time payment will be made per dwelling within Gallia County.

Additionally, the be eligible for TANF funding, applicants must meet the PRC (prevention, retention and contingency) program guidelines for families with at least one minor child under the age of 18 living at home.

To be eligible for non-TANF assistance, individuals must be age 55 or over without minor children; must be without minor children and in receipt of disability benefit payments such as Supplemental Security Income, Social Security Disability, VA Disability, PERS Disability, Railroad Retirement Disability, Black Lung Benefits, etc.; a resident of Gallia County and be adversely affected by the emergency condition.

All applications need to include an attached statement, signed by the applicant, which outlines the unplanned expenses related to the storm and an itemized listing with estimated cost of the replacement and/or repair.

The attached statements will also be provided to the Gallia County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) to assist that agency in their assessment of the total damage in the county.

Applicants in the DJFS program may provide their name and contact information on the attached statement to be provided to Gallia County EMA in case FEMA funds become available.

A one time payment of $75 shall apply for households under both the TANF-PRC category and the non-TANF category for funds for elderly and disabled.

According to Glassburn, applications will be given on a first-come, first-serve basis due to the limited funding available and failure to provide necessary documentation in the applications will result in an automatic denial.

Applicants will be notified by mail if their application has been approved or denied and Glassburn asks that individuals hold their phone calls and wait for their receipt of mail notification.

“With this program, the school clothing/supplies project and the additional food assistance applications, GCDJFS will be focusing on processing applications. In that, returning phone calls may take longer than normal,” commented Glassburn.