Thursday, August 20, 2026

Daily Update on Federal Disaster Response in Northwest Indiana

As communities across Northwest Indiana continue to recover from the recent severe weather, I want to remind residents that assistance may be available through the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) State Disaster Relief Fund.

If your primary residence was affected by the August 11, 2026, disaster, you may qualify for an individual assistance grant. IDHS notes that assistance through this program is limited to uninsured damages to eligible items at a primary residence located in a jurisdiction that has issued a local disaster declaration.

I encourage residents to visit the IDHS August Disaster Resource Hub at on.in.gov/August2026Disaster. The hub includes information about available resources and the application for the State Disaster Relief Fund. Impacted residents may qualify for emergency aid grants of up to $5,000. This assistance is designed to help families meet essential needs, including clothing and uninsured medical devices, particularly when they have been displaced from their homes.

Please also remember to report storm damage to Indiana 211 by calling 211 or 866-211-9966, or by visiting in211.communityos.org. It is important to document your damage and expenses as you work through the recovery process in order to qualify for potential future federal assistance under the FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program (IHP).

My priority remains making sure our communities have access to the assistance and resources they need to recover and rebuild. My office will continue working with federal, state, and local partners to help Northwest Indiana residents navigate the recovery process.

Please contact my Merrillville District Office at 219-795-1844 with any questions or visit mrvan.house.gov for additional information.