JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri survivors who sustained property damage or loss caused by flooding and severe storms between April 28 and May 11, 2017 should apply for disaster assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency – even if they have insurance.
Survivors in Bollinger, Butler, Carter, Douglas, Dunklin, Franklin, Gasconade, Howell, Jasper, Jefferson, Madison, Maries, McDonald, Newton, Oregon, Osage, Ozark, Pemiscot, Phelps, Pulaski, Reynolds, Ripley, Shannon, St. Louis, Stone, Taney, and Texas counties are eligible to apply for disaster assistance that may include money to help pay for temporary housing, emergency home repairs or other disaster-related expenses.
Also, homeowners, renters and business owners may be eligible for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to help recover from losses not covered by insurance, grants or other sources.
Here are three steps to follow when applying for federal disaster assistance.
Step One: Registration
Register with FEMA.
- Call 800-621-3362. For TTY call 800-462-7585. Those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS) can call 800-621-3362.
- Go online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
- Use the FEMA app for smartphones.
- Survivors also can register with FEMA at a disaster recovery center. Find the nearest center by going online to https://recovery.mo.gov/ or www.fema.gov/DRC.
- Those who have insurance should contact their agent and register with FEMA
- When calling FEMA, it is helpful to have the following information handy:
- Social Security number
- Address of the damaged primary residence or apartment
- Description of damage
- Information about insurance coverage
- A current contact telephone number
- An address where survivors can receive mail
- Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of funds
- If survivors are contacted by the SBA regarding a low-interest disaster loan application, it is important to complete and submit it as soon as possible. Returning the application does not obligate the survivor to accept an SBA loan. However, submitting a completed application is necessary to be considered for other forms of disaster assistance.
- The SBA offers low-interest disaster loans to businesses of all sizes, most private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters.
- SBA also offers low-interest working capital loans (called Economic Injury Disaster Loans) to small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations having difficulty meeting obligations as a result of the disaster.
- For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at SBA.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.
When applying for assistance, survivors will receive a nine-digit registration number that can be used for reference when corresponding with FEMA.
Missouri’s State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and FEMA are committed to ensuring services and assistance are available for people with disabilities. When registering, survivors should let FEMA staff know they have a need or a reasonable accommodation request.
Step Two: Inspections
After survivors register, a FEMA-contracted inspector may call to set up an appointment to assess the damaged property. Inspectors will never ask for bank account information, and there is no cost for the inspection.
When FEMA inspectors arrive at a home, they will display official photo identification. If the photo identification is not displayed, it is important to ask to see it.
Survivors should make sure the home or mailbox number is easily visible from the road. As part of the inspection process, survivors must provide proof of ownership or occupancy.
- Homeowners may show a tax bill, mortgage payment receipt or insurance policy with the property’s address.
- Renters may show a lease, rent payment receipt, utility bill or other document confirming the home was their primary residence at the time of the disaster.
- Homeowners and renters must also present a valid driver’s license or other photo ID.
Step Three: Follow Up With FEMA
After registering for assistance, survivors will receive a letter regarding their application status. Some applicants may receive an SMS/text message. The letter will explain the status of the application and how to respond. It is important to read the letter carefully.
It is important to read and follow up with any correspondence from FEMA. Survivors may have to log into their account on DisasterAssistance.gov or call the helpline at 800-621-3362 to keep the application process moving. They are also urged to keep their contact information updated with a current address and phone number to ensure FEMA can reach them with new information or questions.