HHS Announces Release Of $1.3 Million In Relief Funds To Older Americans Impacted By September 11 Disaster

HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson announced the release of $1.3 million in funds to the New York State Office for the Aging and the Virginia Department for the Aging, states whose seniors have been directly impacted by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The grants represent part of the $126 million in HHS disaster relief funding announced on Sept. 21.

"Older Americans affected by these attacks will demonstrate the same remarkable resilience that they've shown time after time during their lifetimes," Secretary Thompson said. "These funds will help to ensure that they continue to receive needed services during this time. It represents a small portion of our commitment to helping the nation's recovery."

The $1.3 million, together with an earlier award of $500,000 made immediately to New York after the terrorist attacks, will ensure that seniors continue to receive critical services including home-delivered meals for the homebound, transportation, especially to meet health care needs, and supportive services including counseling for mental health needs.

New York will receive $1.275 million, which will be spent on nutrition services, emergency transportation, cleaning, restoration and repair of facilities, supplies and telecommunications equipment. Virginia will receive $25,000, which will be used for emergency pharmacy assistance, staffing needs including the training of counselors, and emergency transportation.

"Older persons often take longer to recover physically and emotionally from a disaster, in particular one of this unimaginable magnitude," Assistant Secretary for Aging Josefina G. Carbonell said. "These funds will help the aging network in New York and Virginia address the unique needs of older persons and their families during this difficult time and beyond."

The department's Administration on Aging (AoA), together with its national aging network of state and area agencies on aging, has been responsive since the hours after the attacks, and continues to reach out to at-risk elders who may be in need of help or who will need help in the future as a result of this tragedy.