FEMA FUNDING CAN ASSIST EVERYONE WHO IS ELIGIBLE
[https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20240411/fema-funding-can-assist-everyone-who-eligible]


Release Date: 
Avril 11, 2024 

CRANSTON, R.I. – Federal assistance can help Rhode Islanders recover
from the severe storm and flooding from December 17-19, 2023, and
January 9-13, 2024. Here are ten facts to know about the help that may
be available to you:

	* You won’t be taking money away from someone else by applying.
FEMA will distribute funds to every eligible applicant regardless of
how many people apply. 
	* FEMA assistance is available to homeowners and renters, including
owners and renters of mobile homes.
	* Eligible homeowners and renters will receive FEMA assistance as
grants that do not have to be repaid.
	* You can apply for FEMA assistance even before your insurance claim
is processed. Report any settlement or denial letter from your
insurance company to FEMA. FEMA cannot provide duplicate benefits, so
inform FEMA of your insurance coverage when you apply for assistance.
	* FEMA assistance is nontaxable, and will not affect eligibility for
Social Security, Medicaid or other federal or state benefits. 

	* You can ask questions and get in-person help applying for
assistance at a Disaster Recovery Center. 

	* Curtis Corner Middle School, 301 Curtis Corner Road, Wakefield,
RI  02879
	* Coventry Town Hall Annex, 1675 Flat River Road, Coventry, RI 02816
	* William Windsor Elementary School, 562 Putnam Pike, Greenville, RI
02828

Hours of operation for all centers are: 8 a.m.– 6:30 p.m. Monday
through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays. Closed Sundays. New
locations and hours updates can be found here: fema.gov/drc
[https://www.fema.gov/drc] or www.riema.ri.gov
[http://www.riema.ri.gov].

	* If your insurance is delayed by 30 days or more and you need money
to relocate immediately, FEMA may be able to help. There are several
ways to apply for FEMA assistance. Survivors can go online
to DisasterAssistance.gov [http://www.disasterassistance.gov], use
the FEMA mobile app
[https://www.fema.gov/about/news-multimedia/mobile-app-text-messages],
or call 800-621-3362. The line is open every day from 7 a.m. to 11
p.m. ET. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay
service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other
service, give FEMA the number for that service.
	* If your car was damaged by the disaster, you may be eligible for
money to repair or replace it. Apply with FEMA first, then, if
referred, submit a U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Loan
application to determine eligibility. 
	* If FEMA refers you to the Small Business Administration, you should
apply. SBA’s long-term, low-interest disaster loans are the largest
source of federal recovery funds – and applying allows FEMA to
evaluate you for more types of aid. SBA may be able to increase your
loan amount by up to 20 percent of your damage so you can make
improvements to make your home safer. To learn more,
visit SBA.gov/disaster [https://www.SBA.gov/disaster].
	* Calling 211 or applying for assistance through another organization
or agency does not automatically register you with FEMA. To apply for
FEMA assistance, visit DisasterAssistance.gov
[http://www.disasterassistance.gov], download the FEMA App or call the
FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. 

FEMA has plenty of funds to support our operations in Rhode Island for
the December and January severe storms and flooding. If you were
impacted, apply for assistance, and if you qualify, you will receive
it. 

For the latest information visit 4765 | FEMA.gov
[https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4765] or 4766 | FEMA.gov
[https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4766]. Follow FEMA on X, formerly known
as Twitter, at twitter.com/femaregion1
[https://twitter.com/femaregion1] and at facebook.com/fema
[https://www.facebook.com/fema].

For updates on the Rhode Island response and recovery, follow the
Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency on Twitter at 
twitter.com/RhodeIslandEMA [https://twitter.com/RhodeIslandEMA], on
Facebook at www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandEMA
[http://www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandEMA], or visit www.riema.ri.gov
[http://www.riema.ri.gov].