Disaster assistance is intended to help residents pay for necessities lost because of the Jan. 12 severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes. A letter explaining what the payment is to be used for arrives within a day or two of the check or direct deposit payment.
As eligible disaster survivors start to receive funds for rental assistance, home repairs, or other categories of assistance, be assured federal disaster assistance funds are tax-free. FEMA’s notification letter will inform you of the appropriate use of disaster assistance funds. FEMA urges you to use the funds as stated in your award letter and only for disaster-related expenses.
FEMA will send you a notification letter informing you of the types of assistance you are eligible to receive and the amounts of assistance FEMA is providing for each eligible need. These may include:
- Home repairs (e.g., structure, water, septic and sewage systems).
- Rental assistance for a different place to live temporarily.
- Repair or replacement of a damaged primary vehicle.
- Uninsured out-of-pocket medical expenses for an injury caused by the disaster.
- Repair or replacement of occupational specialized tools.
- Essential educational materials (e.g., computers, schoolbooks, supplies).
- Moving and storage expenses related to the disaster and other disaster-related expenses.
If you spend the grant on anything other than the purpose for which it is intended, you may be ineligible for future disaster assistance. In some cases, FEMA may ask that the money be returned.
Those receiving assistance are urged to keep receipts for their disaster spending for three years to document the money was used to meet disaster-related expenses. If you receive an insurance settlement to cover the same expenses, you must reimburse FEMA. Audits are conducted to confirm funds were spent properly.
Survivors in Autauga, Coosa, Dallas, Elmore, Greene, Hale, Mobile, Morgan, Sumter and Tallapoosa counties can apply to FEMA for disaster assistance at disasterassistance.gov, by using the FEMA mobile app, or by calling
800-621-3362. The helpline is open, and help is available from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Central Time in most languages. If you use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service.
For an accessible video on how to apply for assistance go to, youtube.com/watch?v= WZGpWI2RCNw.
For information on Alabama’s disaster recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4684. Follow FEMA on Twitter at FEMA Region 4 (@femaregion4) / Twitter and at facebook.com/fema.