FEMA assistance available for those affected by April 2nd storms

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — FEMA is encouraging those in need of assistance from the April 2nd storms that swept thru the area, to apply for federal assistance.

“If you were affected by the April 2nd storms, whether that be your home or your vehicle or your business, you may be eligible for assistance, and the best way to receive that assistance is to apply here at the Disaster Recovery Center or by visiting us online at disasterassistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362,” says Gregory Boster, a FEMA spokesperson.

Boster with FEMA says every case is unique when applying for assistance, something Carl Dombek with the SBA agrees with.

“You could have two people with almost identical houses and tract homes. They might be you think you’re pretty much in the same place financially, maybe one of you has insurance and the other doesn’t. So we’re going to take a look at the situations as individually as we possibly can to do what’s appropriate for the disaster survivor,” added Dombek, the public affairs specialist with the SBA.

Those who will need help do not need to fill out a Small Business Administration application before being considered for FEMA assistance.
Federal assistance can include money for basic home repairs and other disaster-related issues.

“To apply for FEMA assistance is similar to an insurance claim. You’re going to need basic information, like name, address, damage assessment, but we want to reiterate that if you have filed an insurance claim to also please present that information, because we cannot duplicate insurance coverage. That does not mean, however, that you are not eligible for supplemental coverage to help assist in your recovery process,” added Boster.

FEMA may also provide assistance for vehicles damaged by the storms on April 2nd. All you’ll need to do is file a claim with your insurance company. FEMA can potentially offer disaster assistance that could help fill the gaps coverage does not take care of, for any, or all storm-related damage costs.

“We really want to encourage you to not let language be a barrier to applying for the assistance that is available to you,” also added Boster, when talking about also have translators for those who may need them.

The deadline to file is July 22, but FEMA says applications will handled on a first come, first served basis so the longer you wait, they longer you may have to go without assistance.