 On October 1 , President George W. Bush declared Puerto Rico major disaster area . The declaration allowed federal assistance to reach affected communities in the United States Commonwealth . Residents who met the requirements to receive federal aid were eligible for funding for temporary housing . People who lost their jobs due to the flooding were eligible for unemployment grants for 26 weeks starting the day of the disaster declaration . Residents were able to receive up to $ 200 @,@ 000 for home damages ; up to $ 40 @,@ 000 in personal possession losses ; and up to $ 2 million for business losses . By October 17 , more than $ 5 @.@ 6 million in disaster aid was approved for 20 @,@ 284 residences . Community Relations teams visited about 7 @,@ 000 people . Out of the 4 @,@ 140 small @-@ business loans applications , only 288 were submitted by this time . By October 25 , the amount of funds nearly doubled , reaching $ 11 million . At this time , more than , 24 @,@ 500 residents applied for disaster loans . Survey teams checked over 18 @,@ 000 homes for flood @-@ related damages at this time also . Funding reached $ 16 @.@ 5 million by November 7 , with 29 @,@ 000 people requesting federal assistance . By December 5 , funding for 37 @,@ 000 residents reached $ 23 @.@ 1 million . At this time , the deadline for federal assistance requests was set for January 15 , 2009 . On January 2 , 2009 , funding for small businesses was being provided , with $ 6 million being contributed . Grants for residents also reached $ 25 million . After the flooded rivers crested and receded , bulldozers began clearing mud covered streets . 
