What to know about FEMA and additional assistance for those impacted by the tornado
It's been a month since an EF-3 tornado with winds of 150 miles per hour hit north Clarksville and an EF-2 tornado hit north Nashville, leaving a path of destruction and heartache behind.
The federal government is providing residents some relief in the four counties affected by the tornado.
The application for Federal Emergency Management Agency is open for those who were impacted until Feb. 12, 2024. Here's a guide on applying for FEMA and the other resources available for those effected by the December tornado.
How to apply for FEMA Assistance
There are three ways to apply for FEMA: online at disasterassistance.gov/, the FEMA mobile app or calling 1-800-621-3362 from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Central Time.
When applying, FEMA recommends that you have the listed information on hand:
A current phone number where you can be contacted
Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are staying
Social Security number
a general list of damage and losses
Nanking information if you choose direct deposit
If insured, the policy number or the agent and/ or the company name
Residents with homeowners, renters or flood insurance should file a claim as soon as possible. FEMA can't duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance, but if the policy doesn't cover all the disaster expenses, policy holders may be eligible for federal assistance.
FEMA representatives have Disaster Recovery Centers located in each county until February to help people with the FEMA application process.
Davidson: Nashville Public Library, 610 Gallatin Pike South Madison, Monday-Saturday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday 1 to 5 p.m.
Dickson: Bibb-White Bluff Civic Center, 1054 Old Charlotte Rd., White Bluff; Monday-Saturday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday 1 to 5p.m.
Montgomery: Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library, 350 Pageant Lane #501, Clarksville; Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Sumner: Gallatin Public Utilities, 239 Hancock St., Gallatin; Monday- Saturday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
What happens after you apply
After applying for FEMA, you should receive a letter explaining your application status and how to respond.
This letter will include the amount of assistance FEMA may provide and information on the appropriate use of the disaster assistance funds.
The letter could also include additional information or supporting documentation for FEMA to continue the application process. Examples of missing documentation may include:
Proof of insurance coverage
Settlement of insurance claims or denial letter from insurance provider
Proof of identity
Proof of occupancy
Proof of ownership
Proof that the damaged property was the applicant's primary residence at the time of the disaster
You can visit a Disaster Recovery Center or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 for any questions regarding your letter.
Appealing FEMA’s Decision
If you don't agree with FEMA's decision, including the amount of assistance they'll provide, you submit an appeal letter.
Appeals must be in writing and postmarked within 60 days of the date noted on the determination letter from FEMA. Appeals and supporting documents may be uploaded to your FEMA online account at disasterassistance.gov.
In a signed and dated letter explaining the reason(s) for the appeal and include:
Applicant's full name
Disaster number (DR- 4751-TN)
Address of the pre-disaster primary residence
The FEMA application number on all documents
Other ways to submit documents include:
By mail: FEMA National Processing Service Center, P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055
By fax: 800-827-8112 Attention: FEMA
For more information on Tennessee's disaster recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4751.
If someone other than an applicant or co-applicant writes the appeal letter, that person must sign it and provide FEMA with a signed statement authorizing the individual to act on the applicant's behalf.
Additional assistance
U.S. Small Business Administration: The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renter, businesses and nonprofit organization to cover losses not paid by insurance and other sources.
If FEMA refers you to the SBA, it's important to submit the disaster loan application. You don't have to accept the loan if approved, but failure to submit the application may disqualify you from other possible financial assistance from FEMA and the state of Tennessee.
You can apply online at SBA.gov/disaster.
The SBA is operating a Business Recovery Center in Montgomery and Sumner County. In Montgomery County, they are located at the Clarksville- Montgomery County Regional Planning Commission and in Sumner at the Hendersonville Area Chamber of Commerce.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance: Residents in Davidson, Dickson, Montgomery and Sumner counties effected the Dec. 9 tornadoes can apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) at Jobs4TN.gov or by calling 1-877-813-0950 Monday- Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Individuals filing online should specify that their applications are related to the damage caused by serve storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes. The deadline to apply is Jan. 16, 2024.
Disaster Legal Services Hotline: Call 844-435-7486
IRS Tax Relief: The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that individuals and businesses affected by the Dec. 9 tornadoes have until June 17, 2024, to file tax returns and make payments.
The IRS urges anyone who needs additional tax-filing extension beyond Jun 17 to request electronically by April 15.
Kenya Anderson is a reporter for The Leaf-Chronicle. She can be contacted at kanderson@gannett.com or on X at kenyaanderson32. Sign up for the Leaf-Chronicle to support local journalism at www.theleafchronicle.com.
This article originally appeared on Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle: What to know about FEMA and additional assistance for those impacted by the tornado
