| DCLPublicationDate: 6/9/99 DCLID: Disaster Letter-99-19 AwardYear: Summary: Severe weather in North Dakota June 9, 1999 Disaster Letter 99 - 19: Severe weather in North Dakota. Dear Guaranty Agency Director: On June 8, the Federal Emergency Management Agency designated the following jurisdictions in North Dakota as disaster areas that qualify for federal assistance under FEMAs Individual Assistance program because of severe storms, tornadoes, snow and ice, flooding, ground saturation, landslides, and mudslides starting March 1: Barnes, Benson, Bottineau, Burleigh, Cass, Dickey, Emmons, Foster, Grand Forks, Griggs, Kidder, LaMoure, Logan, McHenry, McIntosh, McLean, Mountrail, Nelson, Pembina, Pierce, Ramsey, Ransom, Renville, Richland, Rolette, Sargent, Sheridan, Steele, Stutsman, Towner, Traill, Walsh, Ward, and Wells counties, and the American Indian reservations of the Devils Lake Sioux Tribe, the Fort Berthold Tribe, and the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa. Guaranty agencies and lenders are authorized to use the Departments disaster-related forbearance policies to assist FFEL borrowers who are residents of those counties and reservations. 1. Loan holders are strongly recommended to grant forbearances to borrowers who contact them and indicate that they have been adversely affected by the disaster and need temporary relief from their loan obligations. If the holder believes that the borrower has been harmed and needs assistance, the holder may grant a forbearance for up to 3 months based on either the borrower's oral or written request for assistance, which must be documented in the holder's files. 2. The holder does not need to obtain supporting documentation or a signed written agreement from the borrower to justify a forbearance for this initial 3-month period. The Secretary will decline to enforce the requirements of 34 CFR 682.211(c) for this period. 3. A continuation of the forbearance past this 3-month period will require supporting documentation and a written agreement from the borrower. Lenders and guaranty agencies may contact the Department's toll-free number at 1-800-433-7327, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST for further updates. In addition, you may want to check FEMAs internet page at www.fema.gov. This letter has also been sent to each regional office of the Department, plus the National Council of Higher Education Loan Programs, Inc., the Consumer Bankers Association, the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, and the Student Loan Servicing Alliance. Sincerely, Patricia Newcombe Chief, Policy Section Federal Family Education Loan Program Policy Development Division Office of Student Financial Assistance Programs |