DES MOINES, Iowa—Homeowners and renters in Benton, Boone, Cedar, Jasper, Marshall, Polk, Poweshiek, Scott, Story and Tama Counties may now apply for FEMA Individual Assistance for losses resulting from the severe storms on Aug. 10, 2020. Linn County was previously approved for Individual Assistance.
Assistance provided by FEMA for homeowners can include grants for repairs to make their primary home habitable. Rental assistance is available to pay for temporary housing for homeowners and renters. Lodging expense reimbursement may be available to eligible households who may have stayed in a hotel for a short period of time.
FEMA assistance can also help with other disaster-related needs like replacing essential household items, and medical and dental expenses.
Businesses, homeowners and renters may be eligible for disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.
First, if you haven’t already done so, contact your insurance company and file a claim for the disaster-caused damage you’ve suffered. You don’t have to wait for FEMA to start cleaning up but be sure to take photographs or video of the damage and keep all receipts for repair work.
If you have losses not covered by insurance, contact FEMA by either going online to DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling the helpline at 800-621-3362.
Applicants will need the following to apply. You can upload all required documents at DisasterAssistance.gov:
- Address of the damaged property
- Description of disaster-caused damage and losses
- Current mailing address
- Current telephone number
- Social Security number of one member of the household
- Insurance information
- Total household annual income
- Bank account routing and account number for direct deposit
- Save your FEMA registration number, also known as FEMA ID number.
- Check your DisasterAssistance.gov account for updates.
Survivors in Benton, Boone, Cedar, Jasper, Marshall, Polk, Poweshiek, Scott, Story and Tama counties can apply for assistance by calling 1-800-621-3362 or 1-800-462-7585 for TTY users. Users of 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS) may call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Central Time, seven days a week, until further notice. Survivors may register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
(contributed press release, FEMA)
