From FEMA: In-person FEMA Assistance Available Through Sept. 25 at Disaster Recovery Centers

In-person FEMA assistance is available through Thursday, Sept. 25 at both Disaster Recovery Centers in the City of St. Louis for people whose homes and personal property were damaged or destroyed by the May 16 tornado.

FEMA and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are helping impacted residents with their disaster assistance applications, answering questions, and uploading required documents. These centers have had more than 10,000 visits.

Stay in touch with FEMA after Sept. 25 by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov, calling 1-800-621-3362, and using the FEMA app.

By the Numbers

• For losses not covered by insurance, FEMA may be able to provide money to help pay for home repairs, a temporary place to live, essential personal property that was destroyed, and other needs.
• FEMA has provided $47 million in Individual Assistance to homeowners and renters.
  • About $4.9 million of this amount is being paid by the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).
• About 9,000 households have been approved for assistance.
• A home inspection is required for FEMA to approve money.
  • FEMA has completed about 14,900 home inspections.
• The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved $24.4 million in low-interest disaster loans to help homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes recover from the disaster.
  • You can apply for these loans through https://lending.sba.gov.

FEMA Assistance May Be Available to Help with Rent

To ask for assistance to help with rent, homeowners and renters need to contact FEMA by visiting a Disaster Recovery Center or by calling FEMA at 1-800-621-3362.

• Rental Assistance may help cover monthly rent, which may include a security deposit. o It might not cover all rental expenses.
• Continued Temporary Housing Assistance (CTHA): Impacted residents who received rental assistance from FEMA and require further rental assistance while working toward a permanent housing plan should stay in touch with FEMA. CTHA may be available for those who qualify.

Stay in Touch with FEMA

Help is still available now that the application deadline has passed.

• Keep receipts for disaster-related purchases (items to make repairs to home, hotel receipts, etc.).
• Provide contractor estimates for repairs.

• Read your letter from FEMA carefully.

FEMA Letter and Tracking Your Application

• FEMA will send you a letter by mail or email. You chose how to receive communications when you applied for assistance.
• Read the letter carefully. If the letter from FEMA says your application cannot be approved, it does not mean you're denied. The letter will explain next steps and how to appeal.
• If you have insurance, FEMA will not be able to consider you for assistance until you provide insurance documentation, such as a settlement letter or denial letter.