Kentucky Emergency Management and FEMA are committed to ensuring disaster recovery resources and assistance are available for everyone, including people with disabilities or others with access and functional needs.
Emergency management includes the whole community in all aspects of disaster preparedness and recovery response. FEMA is continuing to break down barriers that prevent disaster survivors from participating equally in disaster recovery.
Twenty percent of the general population have some form of physical, mental health, sensory, intellectual, or cognitive disability. Disasters are traumatic for everyone, including people with disabilities.
A disaster can take away the key components that enable people with disabilities or access and functional needs to live independently or to communicate with others. Examples may be a lost wheelchair, walker, or assistive medical device.
FEMA will assist anyone who needs help applying for federal disaster assistance. If you require an accommodation in accessing services, programs, or benefits, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (voice, 711 or VRS) or 800-462-7585 (TTY). The phone lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET (6 a.m. to 9 p.m. CT), seven days a week. Operators are multilingual.
The state provides help for the deaf and hard of hearing in western Kentucky who need an interpreter or captioner for communication with FEMA or the Red Cross. Phone 502-573-2604 or 502-416-0607 for videophone or visit the website of the Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. [KCDHH: How to Apply (ky.gov)]
The fastest ways to apply for federal assistance:
- Go online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
- Call 800-621-3362, for voice, 711 or VRS; TTY 1-800-462-7585.
- Or download the FEMA app for smartphones.
When you apply, you will need to provide:
- A current phone number where you can be contacted.
- Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying.
- Your Social Security Number.
- A general list of damage and losses.
- Banking information if you choose direct deposit.
- If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name.
For an accessible video on how to apply for FEMA assistance, go to youtube.com/watch?v=WZGpWI2RCNw.
For more information about Kentucky tornado recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4630.