Kentucky tornado survivors now have until March 14 to apply for FEMA financial help

Matthew Glowicki, Louisville Courier Journal
·3 min read

FEMA has extended the deadline for survivors of December’s tornadoes in Western Kentucky to apply for financial aid.

Kentuckians now have until March 14 to apply for monetary help with housing, home repairs, transportation and more. The deadline was previously Feb. 11.

Residents of Barren, Caldwell, Christian, Fulton, Graves, Hart, Hickman, Hopkins, Logan, Lyon, Marion, Marshall, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Taylor and Warren counties are eligible to apply.

Those who've already submitted their application do not need to reapply.

As of Feb. 10, FEMA had approved more than 1,900 applications for individual assistance totaling more than $12.4 million.

FEMA can provide various types of assistance, including:

  • Lodging expense reimbursement for hotel expenses for uninsured applicants whose homes were unlivable after the disaster.

  • Home repair/replacement assistance for disaster losses not already covered by another source, such as insurance.

  • Rental assistance for those whose homes are now unlivable.

  • Personal property assistance to repair or replace essential, uninsured items damaged in the disaster (such as clothing, appliances).

  • Transportation assistance for primary vehicles damaged by the disaster.

  • Medical and dental assistance for uninsured needs or losses caused by the disaster.

  • Funeral assistance related to death directly or indirectly attributed to the disaster.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is accepting applications in person, online and via phone. Applying is free.

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Here’s how:

  • Visit DisasterAssistance.gov

  • Use FEMA’s mobile app

  • Call FEMA’s help line at 800-621-3362. Interpreters are available.

  • Those with limited vision or hearing can watch an accessible video on how to apply at youtube.com/watch?v=WZGpWI2RCNw.

Get help applying at an in-person disaster recovery center, open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

  • Caldwell County: Butler Gymnasium, 600 W. Main St., Princeton, KY 42445

  • Graves County: Graves County Public Library, 601 N. 17th St., Mayfield, KY 42066

  • Hopkins County: Dawson Springs Community Center, 108 W. Keigan St., Dawson Springs, KY 42408

  • Hopkins County: Mike’s Pharmacy, 104 S. Lee Trover Todd Jr. Highway, Earlington, KY 42410

  • Warren County: Former Sears location, Greenwood Mall, 2625 Scottsville Road, Bowling Green, KY 42104

Applicants with homeowners, renters or vehicle insurance must first file a claim with their insurance company, as the federal agency won’t give financial help on losses that are covered by an insurance policy.

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FEMA grants don’t need to be repaid, are not taxable and won’t affect eligibility for other federal benefits such as Social Security and Medicaid.

Here’s what you’ll need to apply:

  • Phone number where you can be reached.

  • Address when the tornado hit and the address where you’re now staying.

  • Social Security number.

  • General list of damage and losses.

  • Pictures of damages

  • Banking information (if you want direct deposit).

  • If insured, policy number, agent name and/or company name.

Application denials can be appealed, in writing, via a signed and dated letter that is postmarked within 60 days of the date shown on the FEMA determination letter. Include any supporting documentation, such as a contractor’s repairs estimate, with your appeal.

Be sure to include:

  • Full name

  • Disaster number (DR-4630-KY)

  • Address of pre-disaster primary residence

  • Current phone number and address

  • FEMA registration number on each page of your documents

Those with online FEMA accounts can appeal via the web. Appeals can also be faxed to 800-827-8112, Attention: FEMA, or mailed to FEMA National Processing Service Center, P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055.

Those who are having challenges applying for or securing FEMA assistance can call Kentucky Legal Aid, a nonprofit serving south central and Western Kentucky, at 877-782-4219.

Reporter Matthew Glowicki can be reached at mglowicki@courier-journal.com, 502-582-4000 or on Twitter @mattglo.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: FEMA extends financial help deadline for Kentucky tornado survivors