Here are amounts the Federal Emergency Management Agency has paid to South Sound homeowners for chimney repair, followed by the amounts for total housing assistance, as of the close of business Monday:
-Thurston County: $1,119,047 to 663 homeowners for chimneys; $1,859,630 to 2,139 homeowners in total housing assistance.
-Lewis County: $378,548 to 151 homeowners for chimneys; $600,434 to 470 homeowners in total housing assistance.
-Grays Harbor County: $252,628 to 84 homeowners for chimneys; $559,076 to 336 homeowners in total housing assistance.
-Mason County: $186,249 to 69 homeowners for chimneys; $395,700 to 255 homeowners in total housing assistance.
Since the disaster declaration, FEMA has approved $13.8 million in assistance in 20 counties and $8.2 million of that will go to 4,332 households that need chimney-related repairs.
Deadline set
FEMA has set an April 30 deadline for homeowners to register for federal assistance. Homeowners should expect to wait about a week for an inspection, which is needed to make them eligible for assistance.
Some FEMA disaster aid does not need to be paid back. Some is in the form of loans. The Small Business Administration also offers loans for chimney repairs that aren't covered by FEMA.
FEMA's aid will help homeowners get back on their feet, but it won't restore houses to their pre-earthquake conditions.
-To register with FEMA for disaster assistance or an on-site inspection, call (800) 462-9029. Those with hearing or speech impairments may call TTY (800) 462-7585.
-For advice from FEMA on chimney repairs and strengthening homes, call (800) 838-7046.
-The Olympia Disaster Recovery Center is at Westfield Shoppingtown Capital Mall, next to The Bon Marche.
Unemployment assistance
Workers in Thurston, Mason, Lewis, Pierce, Grays Harbor, King, Kitsap, and Snohomish counties have until April 6 to file for Disaster Unemployment Assistance.
Special financial assistance is available for workers who lost their job, can't get to work or were injured because of the Nisqually Earthquake, but who don't qualify for regular unemployment benefits.
Self-employed individuals also are eligible for DUA if they are unemployed as a direct result of the earthquake. They should provide a copy of a tax return or documentation showing their net earnings from self-employment. They have until April 20 to file.
To request an application or for more information, call (866) 416-7274.
Bus use up
Intercity Transit officials have seen a modest increase in bus ridership in the weeks since the Nisqually Earthquake. Much of the increase is on routes linking west Olympia to downtown Olympia because two main links to the west side -- the Fourth Avenue bridge and Deschutes Parkway -- are closed.
The week after the earthquake saw 55,562 bus boardings, compared to 50,296 the week before, IT spokeswoman Meg Kester said. The second week after the quake, ridership stood at 53,211, she said.
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