Federal Aid Available for St. Louis Tornado & Storm Victims: How to Apply
Colaboradores
Following the devastating tornadoes and severe storms that impacted St. Louis on April 29th and May 16th, federal aid has been unlocked for eligible residents. President Donald Trump approved a Major Disaster Declaration, making federal funding available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Who is Eligible for Assistance?
The aid applies to two separate incidents:
- April 29th Storms: Assistance is available for residents in Barry, Greene, Lawrence, McDonald, Newton, and Washington Counties. The state requested over $16.5 million for these areas.
- May 16th Tornadoes: Homeowners and renters in the City of St. Louis, St. Louis County, and Scott County are eligible. The request for this disaster included over $57.9 million in Public Assistance qualifying expenses and at least $18.7 million in qualifying Individual Assistance needs.
What Kind of Assistance is Available?
Eligible individuals and households can receive various types of financial assistance, including:
- Temporary housing grants
- Home repair funding
- Low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses
FEMA may provide a maximum of $43,600 for housing assistance and $43,600 for other needs to each individual.
How to Apply for FEMA Assistance:
U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell shared several ways to apply:
- Online: Visit www.disasterassistance.gov.
- By Phone: Call 800-621-3362 between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. CT.
- FEMA Online App: Download the FEMA app.
For those using relay services, provide FEMA with the appropriate number. An accessible video on how to apply can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU7wzRjByhI.
Information Needed When Applying:
Be prepared to provide the following information when applying:
- Social Security number (one per household)
- Address of the damaged home or apartment
- Description of the damage
- Information about insurance coverage
- Telephone number
- Mailing address
- Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit
Don't delay! Apply for FEMA assistance as soon as possible to begin the recovery process.