FROM THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
More than $7.9 million approved in FEMA Assistance:
§ More than $6.3 million in Housing Assistance
§ More than $1.5 million in Other Needs Assistance
The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved more than $9.2 million in
low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, and businesses.
Key Messages
§ The March 16 application deadline to apply for Individual Assistance has passed; FEMA is still here to help — Homeowners and renters in Autauga, Coosa, Dallas, Elmore, Greene, Hale, Morgan, Mobile, Sumter and Tallapoosa counties who were affected by the severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes that occurred
Jan. 12, may still reach out to FEMA. Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA app for smartphones, or call 800-621-3362 between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Central Time. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.
§ Continued rental assistance — Survivors of the Jan. 12 storms who received initial rental assistance from FEMA may be eligible for continued rental assistance. Survivors applying for continued assistance must complete an Application for Continued Temporary Housing Assistance. To request this form, call the FEMA Helpline at
800-621-3362.
§ A “no” can become a “yes” with a successful FEMA appeal — More than two months after the Jan. 12 storms, some impacted residents may still be looking for answers. Thousands of Alabamians have filed an application. Some, however, may receive a letter stating their claim is ineligible for assistance. If you receive that letter, you may be able to change the outcome. Many times, it is a simple fix. An application is often ineligible because additional information is needed. Read FEMA’s letter from beginning to end to completely understand what the agency needs from you. Survivors may also call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 between 6 a.m. and
10 p.m. Central Time. Help is available in most languages.
§ Survivors should notify FEMA of insurance settlements — Survivors who have already applied for FEMA disaster assistance are encouraged to let FEMA know about any insurance settlements or denials you receive. FEMA’s Individual Assistance program may cover damage that your insurance does not.
§ FEMA grants for intended purpose — 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. FEMA urges you to use the funds as stated in your award letter and only for disaster-related expenses.
Disaster Recovery Centers: All Disaster Recovery Centers are now closed.
For FEMA assistance now that the recovery centers have closed, survivors may go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA app for smartphones, or call 800-621-3362 between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Central Time. Help is available in most languages.
Eleven Disaster Recovery Centers in nine Alabama counties were staffed by representatives from FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and agencies from the state to assist survivors in applying for federal assistance and in accessing information on other resources.
