SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – In the two weeks since President Biden’s major disaster declaration for South Dakota, federal agencies have approved more than $4.9 million in grants and loans to assist in recovery as of August 29, 2024.
To date, a total of 703 people in Davison, Lincoln, Turner, and Union counties have applied with FEMA for assistance. FEMA has approved $4,112,755.86 through the Individuals and Households program, consisting of $2,957,964.80 in Housing Assistance for home repairs and rental expenses, and $1,154,791.06 in Other Needs Assistance for repair or replacement of personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, moving expenses and other disaster-related needs.
In addition, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved $795,500 in low interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters, and businesses.
Federal/state disaster recovery centers are currently operating at 600 W. 5th St. in Canton and at 305 S Derby Lane, North Sioux City. The centers are open 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. daily. Starting September 3, hours for recovery centers will change to 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
How to Apply for Disaster Assistance
- Visit a Disaster Recovery Center in person.
- Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov for English, or DisasterAssistance.gov/es for Spanish.
- Use the FEMA mobile app in English or Spanish.
- Call the disaster assistance helpline at 800-621-3362 anytime from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week until further notice. Multilingual operators are available. 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
FEMA Public Assistance
FEMA’s Public Assistance Program (PA) is a grant program which provides funding for rebuilding necessary infrastructure to state and local governments and certain types of private nonprofit organizations following a presidential disaster declaration. Assistance is available for debris removal and emergency protective measures taken to promote public safety. The federal cost share for eligible work is no less that 75 percent. The state is conducting informational briefings for potential applicants on how to apply for this assistance.