LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A June 15 major disaster declaration for Arkansas has opened the door for flood-stricken residents of 13 counties—Benton, Boone, Carroll, Clay, Faulkner, Fulton, Jackson, Lawrence, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, Washington and Yell—to apply for federal disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency or the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Residents should be aware that FEMA disaster assistance is for specific purposes centered on getting a disaster survivor into a functioning home that is safe for occupancy and secure. FEMA grants don’t cover all damage, especially to insured property, but residents with insurance are encouraged to apply anyway.
Insurance settlements often happen after the FEMA registration period has ended.
FEMA assistance is not the same as insurance and does not cover pre-disaster conditions. Essential personal property, such as a refrigerator, must be significantly damaged and the only such item in the home before replacement may be considered.
Residents of the 13 counties who sustained property damage or loss from the severe storms, tornados, straight-line winds and flooding between April 26 and May 19, 2017, may apply in a variety of ways for assistance to help pay for temporary housing, emergency home repairs or other disaster-related expenses.
Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585. If you use 711 or VRS (Video Relay Service) or require special accommodations, call 800-621-3362. The toll-free numbers are open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.;Online at DisasterAssistance.gov (also in Spanish);Download the FEMA mobile app (also in Spanish) at Google Play or the Apple App Store, or visit fema.gov/mobile-app;Be ready to provide Social Security number, address of the damaged primary residence, description of damage, insurance policy information, current contact information including an address to receive mail, and bank account and routing numbers if direct deposit is desired.
Business owners, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters may be eligible for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to help recover from losses not covered by insurance, grants or other sources. Survivors contacted by SBA regarding a loan application should complete and submit it as soon as possible as it may open the door to other forms of assistance. There is no obligation to accept a loan.
Applicants receive a nine-digit registration number that can be used for reference when corresponding with FEMA. FEMA inspectors contact applicants to conduct a home inspection and carry the applicant’s registration number and photo ID.
Inspectors will never ask for bank account information, and there is no cost for the inspection. Beware of fraudulent inspectors or contractors claiming a fee must be paid to get help.
FEMA inspectors ask for proof of ownership or occupancy. Tax bills, utility bills, rent receipts or other documents may be used as documentation. Applicants also need to present a valid driver’s license or other photo ID.
It is important to read and follow up with any correspondence from FEMA. Survivors may have to log into their account on DisasterAssistance.gov or call the helpline at 800-621-3362 to keep the application process moving. Keep address and phone number current with FEMA so you can be reached during the application process.
For updates on the Arkansas response and recovery, follow the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (@AR_Emergencies) on Twitter and Facebook and www.adem.arkansas.gov. Additional information is available at fema.gov/disaster/4318.
###
FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or visiting SBA’s website at SBA.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.
