FEMA completing on-site assessments for individuals affected by May storms

In the first 10 days since President Joe Biden authorized federal disaster assistance for the state of Missouri, FEMA approved $903,720 dollars for 158 eligible individuals and households affected by May 19-27 storms.

This money is in the form of grants that can help pay for eligible, disaster-related costs associated with a temporary place to stay, minimal home repairs and/or other serious needs not covered by insurance or other programs. The grants also can fund the costs of features that can help disabled persons repair or improve accessibility to their houses.

The federal assistance is available for eligible individuals, households and self-employed business owners in 10 Missouri counties: Barry, Butler, Carter, Howell, New Madrid, Ripley, Scott, Shannon, Stoddard and Texas.

Individual Assistance grants do not have to repaid if they are spent for the purpose(s) FEMA intends. Survivors should save receipts for costs associated with these grants for at least three years in case of a random audit.

A total of 214 housing inspections were completed in the first 10 days for those who reported storm damage to their primary residences. The inspections are a next step once a survivor registers with FEMA to help determine the level of damage and if/ how individual and household grants can help.

While FEMA funds can be used for many essential recovery needs, they generally will not pay for all disaster-related expenses a survivor incurs. Many other government and voluntary agencies have resources that can help with those costs too.

There are three ways to apply for FEMA:

• Online at disasterassistance. gov

• Call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)

• Download the FEMA App and apply on a mobile device Anyone using a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, can give FEMA the number for that service. Anyone using a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, can give FEMA the number for that service. For an accessible video on three ways to apply for FEMA assistance, visit: https:// www. youtube. com/ watch?v=LU7wzRjByhI.

Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams have been canvassing storm-damaged areas talking with survivors, helping them to register for FEMA on mobile devices, answering questions about disaster assistance and providing information on other resources.

To date, the teams have visited 2,232 households and another 144 community locations. DSA team members will always carry an official federal ID. It is not required that you share personal information with these team members. Their visits are a courtesy to survivors. If you suspect someone might not be who they say they are, contact local law enforcement.

Survivors do not have to wait for a team to visit their house to apply. FEMA encourages anyone impacted by the May 19-27 storms to apply directly as soon as possible to start the process.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) has been authorized for persons in the 10 Missouri counties whose employment was lost or interrupted due to May 19-27 severe storms, straightline winds, tornadoes and flooding.

DUA provides unemployment benefits and re-employment assistance services for up to 35 weeks for survivors who are not eligible for regular state unemployment insurance. For more information about DUA eligibility and/or to file a claim, go online to uinteract.labor.mo.gov.

For assistance with filing a claim, call the Regional Claims Center in Springfield at 314-3404950, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more disaster-related information, visit the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency online at www. sema.dps.mo.gov or FEMA at www.fema. gov and www.fema.gov/ disaster/4803.

FEMA is committed to ensuring disaster assistance is accomplished equitably, without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status.

Any disaster survivor or member of the public may contact the FEMA Office of Civil Rights if they feel that they have a complaint of discrimination. FEMA’s Office of Civil Rights can be contacted at FEMAC i v i l R i ghtsOffi c e@fema.dhs.gov or tollfree at 833-285-7448. Multilingual operators are available.