FEMA has approved $42 million for severe weather in April

They have approved nearly 42 million dollars

(Story Courtesy of Kentucky Today)

FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued an update Monday on recovery efforts in the two federally declared disasters in Kentucky, the severe weather and flooding in February and March, as well as the record flooding and severe weather in April.

As of May 12, FEMA has approved more than $41.9 million in housing and other types of assistance to more than 6,700Kentucky households, due to the earlier incident, with more applications being processed daily. Homeowners and renters in Breathitt, Clay, Estill, Floyd, Harlan, Johnson, Knott, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Martin, Owsley, Perry, Pike, Simpson and Woodford counties, have until May 25 to apply for assistance.

The April severe weather and flooding has led to the approval of over $9.1 million for housing and other types of assistance to more than 1100 Kentucky households. Homeowners and renters in Anderson, Butler, Carroll, Christian, Clark, Franklin, Hardin, Hopkins, Jessamine, McCracken, Mercer, Owen and Woodford counties, may be eligible for disaster aid. They have until June 25 to apply.

Gov. Andy Beshear has requested 16 more counties be added to the April list: Bullitt, Calloway, Grayson, Hancock, Hart, Henderson, Jefferson, Lincoln, McLean, Meade, Nelson, Ohio, Powell, Trimble, Warren and Webster, as well as Public Assistance for 64 counties in which FEMA has validated damages. The Governor also renewed his request for approval for hazard mitigation for the entire state. There has been no answer to the additions, thus far.

FEMA assistance for individuals affected by the severe weather in both disasters can cover rental assistance, temporary housing, home repairs, personal property losses and other disaster-related needs not covered by insurance. FEMA grants do not have to be repaid. FEMA assistance is nontaxable and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid or other federal benefits.

Those who suffered losses are encouraged to file insurance claims for damage to their homes, personal property and vehicles before they apply for FEMA assistance. FEMA Individual Assistance cannot duplicate insurance benefits or other sources of assistance.

There are several ways to apply:

--Online at DisasterAssistance.gov.

--Visit any Disaster Recovery Center. To find a center close to you, visit fema.gov/DRC.

--Use the FEMA mobile app.

--Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. It is open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern Time.