A month after President Joe Biden declared a disaster and allocated Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds to repair public infrastructure damaged in Minnesota’s severe storms and flooding in June, assistance is now being extended to individuals whose homes were damaged.
In late July, FEMA announced that individuals in 19 Minnesota counties could apply for the federal aid. Kim Keblish, FEMA public affairs specialist, told WTIP how residents of Arrowhead counties (Cooke, Lake and St. Louis) can access the funds. Keblish said to be eligible for the federal aid, applicants must report damage to their primary residence. She added, however, that both property owners and renters can apply and that the aid could cover a range of costs incurred as a result of the disaster event.
What the aid could cover
The heavy rains and flooding left some homes uninhabitable. Keblish said that for people who had to move, even temporarily, the FEMA funds could cover the cost of a hotel stay or evacuation. She added, “FEMA could also cover basic home repairs and replacement, as well as cover other disaster-related costs, such as moving and storage costs, primary vehicle repairs, child care costs, medical and dental costs, and costs for new appliances and furniture.”
Keblish explained that the aid is intended for people who are uninsured or underinsured, and that FEMA cannot overlap existing benefits from insurance policies. She suggested that residents submit their claims to their homeowners or renters insurance, but also apply for FEMA aid. When applying for the federal funds, residents will be asked to provide any insurance documents that apply to their home or that they submitted for damages during the June storms.
This is how the application process works
The FEMA application requires additional documents. Keblish said that in addition to the insurance documents, applicants should submit several other documents. She said, “This may include the insurance settlement letter, but it may also include bills or estimates for repairs to the home, as well as proof of ownership or proof of occupancy of the damaged home that you listed on your application. And FEMA will also require proof of identity.”
After an application is submitted, residents can expect to be contacted within 10 to 14 days to schedule a home inspection. Keblish said inspectors are trained to assess the damage that occurred, even if residents had repairs made. She said the inspection is also an opportunity for applicants to tell their story to the inspector and explain how the disaster event impacted their home and their lives.
Where can I apply?
The deadline to apply for FEMA assistance for the June floods is Sept. 27. Keblish said there is no cap on the total amount of assistance people in Minnesota are eligible for, although the general cap on housing assistance provided by the organization is $42,000. She said there are several ways residents can submit their applications, including the FEMA website and the FEMA app. She also suggested that residents seeking more detailed information about the disaster event and the process for applying for assistance should visit the Minnesota Severe Storms and Flooding page of the FEMA website. If applicants have additional questions about how to get assistance, they can contact the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362.
WTIP’s Kirsten Wisniewski spoke with Kim Keblish, FEMA public affairs specialist, about how Cook County residents can access federal relief funds following June’s storms and flooding across the state.
