Red Cross Announces Emergency Financial Assistance ProgramFollowing the Iowa DerechoEligible households can apply for $450 financial assistance to support emergency needs

AUGUST 21, 2020 - As we continue to provide services for those affected by the derecho
that hit Iowa on August 10, the American Red Cross will deliver emergency financial
assistance to households whose residences sustained major damage or were destroyed.
Qualified households will be eligible for $450 to support emergency needs. Funds will be
made available using Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).
To complete applications, heads of household are encouraged to call 1-800-REDCROSS,
and select prompt 4. The financial assistance application requires a valid text enabled
phone number and/or an email address for processing.
Financial assistance will allow people to make their own decisions and prioritize what they
need to start recovering. Funds can help families replace clothes or food, offset
transportation costs or support other immediate needs. This financial support is in addition
to the other services the Red Cross continues to provide, including cleaning supplies, food,
health and mental health support, and spiritual care.
The Red Cross is prepared to provide financial assistance to hundreds of households that
sustained major damage or were destroyed when the derecho occurred in Central and
Eastern Iowa, as determined by Red Cross disasters assessment teams.
Major damage is indicated by significant structural damage to a residence that requires
extensive repairs. This may include substantial failure of the roof, walls or foundation. A
residence that is destroyed is one that is a total loss or with damage so extensive that repair
is not feasible.