Helena, Mont.– If you are a resident of Park, Carbon, Yellowstone or Stillwater counties and sustained property damage or loss caused by June’s severe flooding, you should apply for disaster assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
FEMA Individual Assistance is available to renters and homeowners. Federal grants can help pay for temporary housing. The initial rental grant is for a 60-day period and can be reviewed for further assistance.
Renters and homeowners may also qualify for a grant under FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance program for essential personal property and other disaster-related expenses. These may include:
- Replacement or repair of necessary personal property, such as furniture, appliances, clothing, textbooks or school supplies
- Replacement or repair of tools and other job-related equipment required by the self-employed
- Primary vehicles
- Medical and dental bills
Even if you have had your home inspected or submitted damage reports with your municipality or county, you will still need to ensure that your FEMA application has been received. Here are some things to look for throughout the application process:
Step One - Apply with FEMA.
- Call 800-621-3362. For TTY call 800-462-7585. Those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS) can call 800-621-3362.
- Go online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
- Use the FEMA app for smartphones.
- Survivors can register with FEMA at a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). Find the nearest center by going online to www.fema.gov/DRC.
- Montana Disaster and Emergency Services and FEMA are committed to ensuring services and assistance are available for people with disabilities. When registering, please let FEMA staff know if you have a need or a reasonable accommodation request.
- For an accessible video on how to apply for FEMA assistance, visit: youtube.com/watch?v=WZGpWI2RCNw.
If you have insurance, contact your insurance agent AND apply with FEMA in case you have underinsured needs. While FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, under-insured applicants may receive help after their insurance claims have been settled.
After you have successfully applied for assistance, you will receive a FEMA case number that can be used for reference when corresponding with representatives. If you have already applied, please verify that you have received this number and have been contacted by a FEMA representative to ensure your application was received. If not, call FEMA or visit your local DRC for more help.
If you are contacted by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) regarding a low-interest disaster loan application, it is important to complete and submit it as soon as possible. Returning the application does not require you to accept an SBA loan but is necessary to be considered for other forms of disaster assistance.
You can apply with SBA online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA's secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. For more information on SBA’s Disaster Loan Program, visit SBA.gov/Disaster or call the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955. People who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services or send an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov.
Step Two: Inspections
After you register, a FEMA-contracted inspector may call to set up an appointment to assess the damaged property. Inspectors will never ask for bank account information, and there is no cost for the inspection.
When FEMA inspectors arrive at a home, they will display official photo identification. If the photo identification is not displayed, it is important to ask to see it.
As part of the inspection process, you must provide proof of ownership or occupancy.
- Homeowners may show a tax bill, mortgage payment receipt or insurance policy with the property’s address.
- Renters may show a lease, rent payment receipt, utility bill or other document confirming the home was their primary residence at the time of the disaster.
- Homeowners and renters must also present a valid driver’s license or other photo ID.
Step Three: Follow Up With FEMA
After applying for assistance, you will receive a letter regarding your application status. Some applicants may receive an SMS/text message. The letter will explain the status of the application and how to respond. Please read the letter carefully.
It is important to read and follow up with any correspondence from FEMA. You may have to log into your account on DisasterAssistance.gov or call the helpline at 800-621-3362 to keep the application process moving. You should also keep your contact information updated with a current address and phone number to ensure FEMA can reach you with new information or questions.
If you have additional questions, contact the disaster assistance helpline at 800-621-3362 or visit a disaster recovery center. To find a location near you, visit FEMA.gov/DRC.
Contact the FEMA Mitigation Helpline at 833-FEMA-4-US (833-336-2487) for information on resilient building practices. Mitigation specialists are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. MDT. You can also email the team at FEMA-R8-Hmhelp@fema.dhs.gov.
For more information about FEMA’s support to Montana’s flooding and severe storms recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4655. Follow the FEMA Region 8 Twitter account at https://twitter.com/femaregion8.