IOWA STUDENTS MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR FEMA DISASTER ASSISTANCE
[https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20240909/iowa-students-may-be-eligible-fema-disaster-assistance]


Release Date: 
September 9, 2024 

College and university students in the Iowa counties of BUENA VISTA,
CHEROKEE, CLAY, DICKINSON, EMMET, HUMBOLDT, LYON, MONONA, O'BRIEN,
OSCEOLA, PALO ALTO, PLYMOUTH, POTTAWATTAMIE, SCOTT, SIOUX and WOODBURY
may be eligible for disaster assistance. Students may qualify for a
grant under FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance program for essential
personal property and other needs.

Students do not need to be permanent residents of the designated
counties to be eligible for assistance, but the property damage or
loss must have occurred in a disaster designated county.

FEMA grants can help pay for disaster-related expenses that do not
have to be repaid, such as:

	* Financial assistance for immediate housing needs.
	* Replacement or repair of necessary personal property, such as room
furnishings, a computer damaged by the disaster, books and other items
required for school.
	* Replacement or repair of tools and other job-related equipment
required for those who are self-employed.
	* Replacement or repair of primary vehicles.
	* Medical and dental bills as a result of the disaster.
	* Financial assistance to help move and store personal property.

In addition to FEMA assistance, the U.S. Small Business Administration
provides loans to help cover home repairs and other disaster-related
needs along with business impacts. 

HOW TO APPLY FOR FEMA INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE:

	* Visit a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center. To find the nearest DRC,
visit fema.gov/drc
[https://usfema-my.sharepoint.com/personal/0345943705_fema_dhs_gov/Documents/Desktop/WS-%20IA%204779,4784%20&%204796/fema.gov/drc].
	* Apply at DisasterAssistance.gov
[https://www.disasterassistance.gov/]
	* Call FEMA directly at 800-621-FEMA (3362)
	* Download and use the FEMA app
[https://www.fema.gov/about/news-multimedia/mobile-products]

Anyone using a relay service, such as a video relay service (VRS),
captioned telephone service or others, can give FEMA 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 recovery assistance is available without regard to race,
color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English
proficiency, or economic status. If you or someone you know has been
discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 833-285-7448. Press 2
for Spanish. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service
(VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for
that service.