The deadline is Sept. 23 to apply for disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), available for individuals and households in 10 Missouri counties as a result of May 19-27 severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding.
For those impacted by these storms and still needing help with recovery, FEMA assistance might be an option. The first step toward being considered for FEMA assistance is to apply before the deadline of 11:59 p.m. CDT on Sept. 23. Applying is free, easy and it takes only about 20 minutes.
Check the boxes?
No matter what stage of recovery, now is a good time to take stock of how it’s going and whether more help than already received is needed.
• Insurance Settlement Those with insurance have likely filed a claim by now. If so, make sure to get a settlement letter that details what insurance has covered. The letter is needed to be considered for other assistance, including FEMA.
• 2-1-1 People may call 2-1-1 to be connected with United Way. Operators can provide referrals to various agencies and organizations in Missouri that can help with unmet needs.
• Three ways to apply 1. Online: disasterassistance.gov 2. Call: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) 3. Download & use the FEMA App Those who use a relay service, such as Video Relay Service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, \ can give FEMA the number for that service.
Disaster unemployment assistance
The Missouri Department of Labor’s Division of Employment Security is accepting applications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) through Sept. 23.
Persons in the 10 disaster-designated counties whose employment was lost or interrupted because of the May 19-27 severe storms can apply for up to 35 weeks of DUA. To file a claim online 24/7, visit uinteract.labor.mo.gov. For help with filing a claim, call a Regional Claims Center Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.
FEMA
FEMA’s Individual and Households Program now has new or expanded benefits which took effect March 22. All assistance is based on eligibility for FEMA programs. Here’s a look at some of what is available:
• Displacement assistance: Money to help with immediate housing needs to pay for a place to stay, whether that’s for a hotel, staying with family and friends or another short-term solution of the recipient’s choice.
• Rental assistance: Money to rent housing for those displaced from their homes because of the disaster.
• Home repair money to pay for minimal repairs to make a residence livable and to implement measures that reduce or prevent similar damage from occurring in the future.
• Grants to repair or replace personal property damaged by the disaster to include vehicles, appliances, clothing, computers, moving and storage expenses, increased costs of child care and more.
• Adding accessibility features like ramps and grab bars for those in need — even if those items weren’t in place prior to the disaster — to the entrances of a house to make it more accessible.
• Grants toward the cost of replacing essential tools or equipment for self-employed business owners, including those in the agriculture industry.
• Reimbursement of costs associated with repairs of disaster damage made to a primary residence prior to a FEMA inspection.
• Help with underinsured losses: those who have insurance and a settlement that was not enough to cover disaster-related unmet needs, FEMA might be able to help pay for some of those losses.
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
Homeowners, renters and business owners can apply with SBA for low-interest disaster loans. The deadline for physical loans is Sept. 23, 2024.
The deadline to apply for Economic Injury loans is April 23, 2025. SBA loan amounts for borrowers have recently increased:
• Up to $100,000 for personal property
• Up to $500,000 for primary residence People may apply online at the MySBA Loan Portal at https://lending.sba. gov, and people can also contact SBA’s Customer Service Center by email at disastercustomerservice@ sba.gov or by phone at 1-800-659-2955 for more assistance.
FEMA Helpline
The FEMA Helpline, at 1-800-621FEMA, is open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. CDT. The Helpline is available to:
• Register with FEMA
• Provide the current status of a case after application
• Update a case with new information
• Help recipients understand a grant award
• Explain how to appeal a FEMA decision.
Disaster Distress Helpline
The Disaster Distress Helpline, at 1-800-985-5990, is open 24/7 for free, confidential crisis support for those impacted by a disaster. The line is multilingual, and callers may remain anonymous.
