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.