SULLIVAN, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — FEMA, Indiana Department of Homeland Security, and the SBA held a press conference in Sullivan Friday calling for residents affected by the tornado to file their applications before the June 14th deadline.
A Disaster Recovery Center is set up at Sullivan City Hall. A place for affected residents to go for more information on available resources and help with the application process. No appointment is necessary to visit a Disaster Recovery Center.
To apply without visiting a center you can call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, visit the website or download the FEMA app on your smartphone or tablet.
FEMA assistance may include funds for uninsured or under-insured expenses caused by the storms, such as repair or replacement of personal property and vehicles, moving and storage, medical, dental, childcare, and funeral expenses. FEMA may also refer you to the SBA, which provides low-interest disaster loans to uninsured or underinsured businesses, homeowners, and renters. Submitting the SBA application also allows FEMA to consider you for additional grants.
“FEMA will make a determination. They may punch your application over to the SBA, small business administration,” said Craig Browning, External Affairs Officer for FEMA. “Don’t lose focus on the word business. You’re in a disaster, they’re here to help homeowners and renters as well, and special non-profits.”
FEMA says it’s important to register even if you don’t need assistance. By registering, it helps FEMA get a better understanding of the magnitude of the storm.
Sullivan Mayor, Clint Lamb, also stressed the importance of registering. He said without registering, affected residents will make themselves ineligible for opportunities for funds from the local long-term recovery group that is working to hire a case manager that will see the funds from the Wabash Valley Community Foundation.
“We understand the anxieties and we understand that people need money now. And they’re (Sullivan’s long-term recovery group) doing their best as a volunteer group to get all these funds together and get case management in,” Lamb said. “But, to qualify for those local funds, you have to go through all the procedures.”
The procedure includes starting with an application to FEMA.
FEMA will remain set up in Sullivan City Hall until the deadline to apply, June 14, 2023.
