DEARBORN, Michigan – Flood victims have more time to file for federal assistance. The new deadline is December 14. Homeowners, renters and businesses have more time to file for federal assistance now that the application deadline has been extended. The deadline to apply for grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and for low-interest loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA) was extended from Monday, Nov. 24 due to the high volume of assistance requests.
However, victims of the flood are urged to apply as soon as possible with both agencies, because a denial of help from one program could lead to a referral to another federal resource. The Dec. 14 deadline is key to all applications.
To assist property owners with the applications, FEMA and the SBA are on site at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center (The Center), 15801 Michigan Ave. in Dearborn.
Federal representatives are at The Center 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
More than 115,000 Michiganders who suffered during the August flooding have already registered for disaster assistance. FEMA has approved more than $119 million in individual assistance. Federal funding may be available to homeowners and renters for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property.
A toll-free hotline – 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) – is currently available from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week.
Affected Michiganders can also apply online at www.disasterassistance.gov. More specific details are available at www.fema.gov/disaster/4195.
Survivors who have delayed registration for any reason should apply for potential assistance that could include:
- Housing Assistance offers temporary rental assistance and home repair grants to eligible survivors. FEMA’s ultimate goal is to ensure survivors’ dwellings are safe, sanitary and functional.
- Other Needs Assistance is available for disaster related costs associated with personal property, transportation, moving and storage, or other necessary expenses.
The SBA can help homeowners, renters and businesses of any size. Survivors who register and receive an SBA low-interest disaster loan application should return the application.
SBA applicants are not obligated to accept a loan; however, completing it may lead to additional FEMA assistance. Survivors are encouraged to consider all sources of aid.
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