FEMA Advises Kentucky Tornado Survivors to Use Funds as Intended

Local Sources - FEMA may audit survivors to confirm they spent grants for basic home repairs, replacing essential household items or paying for somewhere to stay if they cannot return home.

FEMA sends survivors letters that detail approved uses for grants, including:

▪ Repairs to make a home safe, sanitary, and fit to live in;

▪ Rental assistance to temporarily pay for a place to stay;

▪ Repair or replacement of a disaster-damaged essential vehicle;

▪ Medical care for an injury caused by the disaster;

▪ Replacing clothing, occupational tools and educational materials; and

▪ Moving and storage expenses related to the disaster. Disaster grants should not be used for travel, entertainment, regular living expenses, or any discretionary expenses not related to the disaster.

Survivors should keep receipts for three years to show how they spent FEMA grants and document how disaster funds were used. Federal law prohibits duplicating assistance from other sources, such as insurance. If grant money is not used as described above, you may have to repay FEMA and you could lose eligibility for further federal assistance that could become available.

Apply for FEMA Assistance

▪ Residents in Barren, Caldwell, Christian, Fulton, Graves, Hart, Hickman, Hopkins, Logan, Lyon, Marion, Marshall, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Taylor and Warren counties can apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling FEMA’s helpline at 800-621-3362, or by using the FEMA mobile app. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service. Helpline hours are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time), seven days a week, until further notice.

▪ To qualify for assistance from FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program, you or a member of your household must be a U.S. citizen, non-U.S. citizen national or qualified alien. Undocumented families with diverse immigration status only need one family member (including a minor child) who is a U.S. citizen, non-U.S. citizen national or qualified alien who has a Social Security number to apply.

▪ Renters whose homes and property were damaged by the storms may apply for federal assistance. Renters may also qualify for a grant for uninsured essential personal property losses and other disaster-related expenses.

The deadline to apply for assistance is Feb. 11, 2022. For more information about Kentucky tornado recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4630.