FEMA funding is available to Iowa homeowners and renters in Polk County who suffered uninsured damage and losses caused by tornadoes and storms that struck the state April 26-27 and May 21, 2024. FEMA can provide money to eligible applicants for help with serious needs, paying for a temporary place to live, home repairs and other needs not covered by insurance.
Here’s how to apply for FEMA assistance:
- Visit DisasterAssistance.gov
- Call FEMA directly at 800-621-FEMA (3362)
- Download and use the FEMA app
- Anyone using a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, can give FEMA the number for that service. For an accessible video on three ways to apply for FEMA assistance, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU7wzRjByhI
Residents can apply online, through the app or by phone
Here’s how to apply for FEMA assistance:
Anyone using a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, can give FEMA the number for that service.
Have this information ready when you apply with FEMA
Only one registration per household is needed. When you apply, please have the following information available:
- Address with ZIP code
- Condition of your damaged home
- Basic list of your property damage, losses and needs
- Insurance policy information, including the policy number
- Social Security number of one member of the household
- Phone number where you can be contacted
- Address where you can get mail or an email address
- Bank account information for direct deposit of funds
FEMA offers a variety of help for Iowans after tornadoes and storms
Money provided by FEMA does not have to be repaid and may include:
- Serious Needs: Money for lifesaving and life-sustaining items, including water, food, first aid, prescriptions, infant formula, breastfeeding supplies, diapers, consumable medical supplies, durable medical equipment, personal hygiene items and fuel for transportation.
- Housing expenses: Money you can use to stay in a hotel or motel, stay with family or friends, or for any other available housing options if you can’t return home following a disaster.
- Home Repair or Replacement: Money to help you repair or replace your home damaged by the disaster. The money can also help with pre-existing damage to parts of your home where the disaster caused further damage.
- Rental Assistance: Money you can use to rent housing if you are displaced from your home because of the disaster.
- Personal Property: Money to help you repair or replace appliances, room furnishings, and a personal or family computer damaged by the disaster. This can also include money for books, uniforms, tools, additional computers and other items required for school or work, including self-employment.
- Child Care: Money to help you pay for increased or child care expenses caused by the disaster.
- Transportation: Money to help you repair or replace a vehicle damaged by the disaster when you don’t have another vehicle you can use.
- Moving and Storage Expenses: Money to help you move and store personal property from your home to prevent additional damage.
FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams canvassing neighborhoods in Iowa
FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance teams are canvassing neighborhoods affected by both disasters in coordination with state and county emergency management to help homeowners and renters apply with FEMA and quickly address immediate and emerging needs. They also can provide application status updates and referrals to additional community resources. Iowans should ask for official photo ID before providing personal information.
FEMA home inspections continue in Iowa counties
FEMA housing inspectors are working in designated counties inspecting damage reported by people who have applied with FEMA for disaster assistance. Inspectors will call or text first to make an appointment. They will display official photo ID. If the official ID is not visible, it’s OK to ask to see it. This helps prevent fraud.
In general, people without insurance will be contacted first. Applicants who have insurance may be contacted for an inspection after they send FEMA a copy of the declarations page from their insurance policy or settlement information.
Language translation and American Sign Language interpreters are available by request to ensure effective communication to survivors whose primary language is not English and survivors who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Beware of fraud and scams
Many legitimate disaster assistance personnel also may visit your property. This can include insurance agents, damage inspectors, state and local officials and FEMA and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) staff.
FEMA employees do not ask for money – or accept money – from disaster survivors. FEMA staff never charge applicants for disaster assistance, inspections or help with registration.
Apply with FEMA whether or not you have insurance
- Everyone with disaster damage should apply whether they have insurance or not.
- FEMA assistance is not based on your amount of income.
- If you have homeowners, renters or flood insurance, file a claim as soon as possible. Please stay in close contact with your insurance agency. Only damage and needs related to the storms of April 26-27 are eligible.
- FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance.
- Even if you have insurance, FEMA may be able to provide money for serious needs, temporary housing and any damage to property not covered by insurance.
- In general, people without insurance will be contacted first by FEMA home inspectors. People with insurance may be contacted after you provide your insurance documents.
Red Cross offers financial assistance
The American Red Cross has financial assistance available for people whose primary home was destroyed or is unlivable due to the recent storms and tornadoes. If you have questions about American Red Cross financial assistance or other services call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767).
U.S. Small Business Administration provides personal help, loans
The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers low-interest loans after a disaster. The loans can help businesses of all sizes, non-profit organizations and individual households.
An SBA Business Recovery Center is open in Pottawattamie County. Businesses of all sizes, non-profit organizations and individual households are welcome to visit:
Minden Fire Station
Meeting Room
205-207 Main St.
Minden, IA 51553
Hours of Operation:
9 a.m.–6 p.m. weekdays
8 a.m.–2 p.m. Saturdays
SBA facts
- Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to help with the cost of improvements to protect, prevent or minimize disaster damage from occurring in the future.
- Disaster loans up to $500,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $100,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property, including personal vehicles.
- Interest does not begin to accrue until 12 months from the date of the first disaster loan disbursement. SBA disaster loan repayment begins 12 months from the date of the first disbursement.
- SBA will provide one-on-one assistance to disaster loan applicants at Disaster Recovery Centers. Additional information is available by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955.
Legal Aid of Iowa available for free consultation
Legal Aid of Iowa’s Disaster Relief Project provides information and legal assistance to low-income disaster survivors. Their network of volunteer attorneys can assist with:
- Insurance issues
- Housing - renters
- Housing - owners
- Contractor fraud issues
- Document replacement
To apply for help from Iowa Legal Aid:
- Call 800-532-1275
- Iowans 60 and over should call 800-992-8161
- Visit iowalegalaid.org
Labor department taking applications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance
The Iowa Department of Labor is accepting applications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) from individuals in Southwest and Central Iowa whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted due to the disaster. Applications for DUA must be filed by July 13, 2024.
To file for DUA benefits, you must start with an application for regular unemployment insurance (UI) benefits by filing online at Disaster Unemployment Assistance Now Available for Southwest, Central Iowa Counties | Iowa Workforce Development.
Disaster recovery websites and social media channels
Please visit these websites and follow us on social media for timely and accurate information.
Websites:
Social Media:
Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 833-285-7448. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. Multilingual operators are available (press 2 for Spanish and 3 for other languages).