ATLANTA – Homeowners and renters in Butts, Henry, Jasper, Meriwether, Newton, Pike, Spalding and Troup counties who had damage to their properties after last month’s storms and tornadoes have until Monday, March 20, to apply for federal disaster assistance.
Survivors of the Jan. 12 storms are encouraged to file insurance claims for damage to their homes, personal property and vehicles before applying for FEMA assistance. FEMA grants do not have to be repaid. FEMA assistance is nontaxable and will not affect Social Security, Medicaid or other federal benefits.
FEMA’s Individual Assistance program is designed to help disaster survivors with basic, critical needs such as finding a safe, sanitary and functional place to live. In other words, these grants can help pay for temporary housing and for home repairs to your primary home.
FEMA assistance may also cover personal property loss, childcare, medical or dental care and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance. FEMA can also refer you to other agencies that may be able to help.
Here are the ways to apply for FEMA disaster assistance:
- Visit DisasterAssistance.gov
- Download the FEMA mobile app
- Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Help is available in many languages. If you use video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. Helpline operators speak many languages and lines are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Press 2 for Spanish. Press 3 for an interpreter who speaks your language.
- For an accessible video on how to apply, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU7wzRjByhI
- You may also visit any Disaster Recovery Center. Find one here: https://egateway.fema.gov/ESF6/DRCLocator
Completing a loan application from the U.S. Small Business Administration is a necessary step to being considered for other forms of FEMA disaster assistance. SBA loans are not just for businesses. They are the largest source of federal disaster recovery funds for homeowners, renters and business owners.
You have until Friday, March 17, to apply for an SBA loan. Here’s how to apply:
- Use SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s/
- Request a paper application to apply by U.S. mail by calling the customer service line at 800-659-2955.
- You may also email DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov or call 800-659-2955 for application assistance and for more information on the SBA disaster assistance program. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call 800-877-8339.
For the latest information on Georgia’s recovery from the severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes, visit fema.gov/disaster/4685. You may also follow @GeorgiaEMAHS/Twitter, Facebook.com/GeorgiaEMAHS, @FEMARegion4/Twitter and Facebook.com/FEMA.