Flood-relief information

Health tips

The Minnesota Department of Health has created a web page for health-related flood information at www.health.state.mn.us/

2012flood.

Help with insurance claims

Insurance experts with the Minnesota Department of Commerce’s consumer response team can help Minnesotans understand their rights, work with insurers to settle claims and help storm victims make informed insurance decisions. The team can be reached at (651) 296-2488 or (800) 657-3602 or

consumer.protection@state.mn.us.

Veterans can get flood grants

The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs is offering Disaster Relief Grants for reimbursable expenses to veterans in Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Dakota, Goodhue, Lake, Rice and St. Louis counties. Veterans, their families and surviving spouses may be eligible for reimbursement assistance of up to $750 if they have not received other state or federal assistance.

Veterans and their families should contact their respective County Veteran Service Office to apply for a Disaster Relief Grant, or call (888) 546-5838 for assistance finding the location and phone number of their CVSO. All eligible applications and copies of receipts for expenditures must be dated no earlier than June 13, 2012, and the application must be postmarked no later than Sept. 30, 2012.

Property tax relief possible for damage

If structures on your property have been damaged or destroyed as a result of the recent flooding disaster, you may be eligible to receive some property tax relief on this year’s property taxes as well as property taxes payable next year. The type of tax relief you could receive will depend on whether your property is homesteaded, whether it is within a declared disaster or emergency area, the amount of damage sustained and a variety of other factors.

Minnesota Department of Commerce information

Following severe weather events, the Minnesota Department of Commerce is on hand to help consumers understand their rights, resolve insurance claims, and provide energy and weatherization assistance to low-income Minnesotans.

All Minnesota residents affected by the storms are encouraged to visit the Commerce Department’s Disaster Information Center or call the Consumer Response Team. CRT representatives are available to assist Minnesota consumers between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at (651) 296-2488 or (800) 657-3602 (Greater Minnesota) or by e-mail at consumer.protection@state.mn.us.

Insurance experts at the CRT can help Minnesotans understand their rights, work with insurers to settle claims, and help storm victims make informed insurance decisions after a flood or storm damages their home, auto, or property.

Following severe weather or flooding, the Minnesota Department of Commerce has resources available to provide certain repair services to income eligible households. Available services for income eligible households (200 percent of Federal Poverty Guidelines) may include: Primary heating system replacements and repairs, including ductwork and venting, flue or chimney repairs; water heater replacement or repair, including venting and flue work; and furnace repair or replacement.

These services are considered for homes affected by a disaster only after all private insurance, FEMA and other disaster-related resources have been utilized. In addition, qualifying households must be located in a designated disaster area and be directly affected by the disaster.

Contact your local provider or the Minnesota Department of Commerce Energy Information Center at (800) 657-3710 or by e-mail at energy.info@state.mn.us.

What to do after a storm

If a storm damages your property, follow these simple steps:

For people looking for ways to help, here are other groups accepting donations and volunteers.

Tags: flood info, news, flood