Storm-damaged churches may be eligible for FEMA benefits

(Story Courtesy of Kentucky Today)

FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) says with President Trump’s recent approval of public assistance in areas which were part of the individual disaster declaration earlier this year, churches may also be eligible for benefits.

Kentucky’s houses of worship and other private nonprofit organizations may be eligible for FEMA assistance to help with recovery from the April floods and May tornadoes. FEMA’s Public Assistance program may reimburse these organizations for eligible costs of debris removal, emergency work and restoration of facilities damaged or destroyed stemming from the two incidents.

Houses of worship and other nonprofits must submit a Request for Public Assistance within 30 days after July 22, the date the affected counties were designated in the federal disaster declaration. The deadline to submit Requests for Public Assistance is Friday, Aug. 22, 2025. 

If your church or nonprofit is seeking funds for a disaster-related project, Kentucky Emergency Management will accept your Request for Public Assistance and assist with uploading required information into the grants portal. 

To be eligible for Public Assistance, houses of worship and other private nonprofit organizations providing essential but non-critical social services must:

--Own and operate the disaster-damaged facility in one of the counties designated for FEMA’s Public Assistance Program.

--Submit your organization’s insurance claim as soon as possible and determine what damage is covered.  FEMA cannot provide a grant for work already funded by insurance or another source.

--Apply for a disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration. If SBA turns down your organization’s loan application or provides insufficient funding, FEMA Public Assistance may be able to help.

--Show proof of good standing with the commonwealth or U.S. Internal Revenue Service by a letter or other document establishing their tax-exempt status and pre-disaster articles of incorporation. 

Nonprofit organizations can contact their local or county emergency management agency to learn more about obtaining FEMA Public Assistance. 

You can find more information in FEMA’s Public Assistance Policy Guide.