Application deadline extended for FEMA assistance
By TONY FYFFE
BSN Editor
FRANKFORT – Homeowners and renters in area counties that were affected by severe flooding earlier this year have more time to apply for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA.
At the request of Gov. Andy Beshear, FEMA has extended the deadline to July 8 for Kentuckians impacted by flooding to register for help under the Individual Assistance (IA) Program.
Homeowners and renters affected by severe flooding in the 31 counties — including Lawrence, Johnson, Floyd and Martin are eligible to register for FEMA assistance.
In addition, Beshear said Monday that residents in 22 flood-affected counties, including Lawrence, may be eligible to apply for disaster food benefits during a six-day application process tghat began today (Wednesday) and ends Monday.
FEMA assistance
The fastest and easiest way to apply is by visiting www.disasterassistance.gov. If it is not possible to register online, they can call 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585). The toll-free telephone lines operate from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time seven days a week. Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, Innocaption or CapTel should update FEMA with their specific number assigned to that service.
Affected resident should have the following information available to register: address of the damaged primary dwelling where damage occurred; current mailing address; current telephone number; Social Security number; their insurance information; total household annual income; routing and account numbers for checking or savings accounts so FEMA may directly transfer disaster assistance funds; and a general description of disaster damage and losses.
President Joe Biden issued a major disaster declaration on April 23, at Beshear’s request, to make federal funding available for Kentucky families and communities to recover from the severe flooding Feb. 27 to March 14. On May 28, Beshear announced additional assistance for 22 more counties affected by the historic flooding.
This is the largest award for displaced individuals from damage to homes since a massive flooding event impacted the state in May 2010, when more than 4,200 structures were affected. In this case, counties have reported more than 1,200 instances of damage to infrastructure, debris removal and emergency measures, costing more than $72 million.
Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the storms.
Additional FEMA staff will be available in person to assist Kentuckians eligible for federal disaster aid.
For more information on Kentucky’s disaster recovery, visit https://kyem.ky.gov and
www.fema.gov/disaster/4595. You may also follow FEMA on www.facebook.com/fema and Twitter @FEMARegion4.
Food benefits
Residents of Lawrence and 21 other counties who would not ordinarily be eligible under SNAP guidelines may qualify temporarily for food benefits if they lived or worked in those flooded areas of Kentucky. A person may be eligible for D-SNAP benefits if their home or belongings were damaged or destroyed and if they have unreimbursed disaster-related expenses or a loss or reduction of income as a result of the flooding.
On June 7, when nine initial counties were announced as eligible for food assistance, Beshear said his administration was seeking D-SNAP approval from USDA for 22 additional counties.
Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) Commissioner Marta Miranda-Straub said flood victims are encouraged to apply for D-SNAP benefits by calling the DCBS Call Services Center at 855-306-8959. They may alternatively choose to apply in person at the local offices in the county DCBS offices listed below, but phone applications can make the process go more quickly. Approved applicants will pick up their benefit cards in the local office.
The Lawrence County office is located at 180 Bulldog Lane, Suite 1, in Louisa.