Jefferson County residents affected by flooding or severe storms between April 29 and July 5 are eligible for federal assistance.
On Tuesday (Aug. 6), Gov. Mike Parson announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency added Jefferson County to its federal major disaster declaration list, along with Callaway, Lewis, McDonald, Newton and Saline counties.
Those affected by the flooding and storms may apply for assistance through FEMA. The assistance program helps people with temporary housing, house repairs and replacement of household items.
“This is very welcome news for Missouri homeowners and renters who are working hard to recover and rebuild,” Parson said in a written statement. “FEMA assistance to individuals has sent nearly $5 million to help more than 1,000 Missouri families since the disaster was first declared on July 9. The extension of the disaster to these six additional counties means more people will receive important financial assistance. We urge eligible residents to apply for assistance now.”
Those needing assistance may register for help at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling FEMA at 1-800-621-3362 between 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
Residents also may receive help from the U.S. Small Business Administration after registering with FEMA. The SBA offers low-interest disaster loans to individual homeowners, businesses and nonprofit organizations to cover uninsured property losses. Loans may be available for repair or replacement of homes, automobiles, clothing or other damaged personal property. Loans are also available to businesses for property loss and economic injury, the report said.
Residents may apply for SBA loans at disasterloan.sba.gov or by calling 1-800-659-2955.
Residents have until Sept. 9 to register for federal disaster assistance and apply for an SBA loan.
FEMA disaster assistance available to individuals may include:
■ Housing assistance for up to 18 months for displaced homeowners or renters whose primary residences sustained major damage or were destroyed. Funding also can be provided for housing repairs and replacement of damaged items to make homes habitable.
■ Assistance for other disaster-related expenses, including essential household items, moving and storage costs, vehicles, medical and dental bills, child care, funeral and burial costs and some clean-up items not covered by insurance and other assistance programs.
■ Other disaster assistance programs include crisis counseling, disaster-related unemployment assistance, disaster-case management and legal advice and assistance, including income tax, housing issues, consumer protection, Social Security and veterans’ benefits.
President Donald Trump’s July 9 disaster declaration for flooding and severe storms in the area made federal aid available to eligible residents in 20 Missouri counties. To date, 1,049 households in those counties have received more than $4,937,000 in assistance, according to Parson’s office.