FEMA now accepting applications for flood aid, deadline set for Nov. 12
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The day thousands of flood victims have been waiting for is here: applications for federal disaster aid are now open.
FEMA's application website went live Friday, Sept. 12, meaning people can get one step closer to recouping the costs of the damage they suffered last month.
People have two months to apply. The deadline is Nov. 12.
There is no limit to the amount of money available. In a social media post announcing the disaster declaration, the President said he was approving $29.8 million in aid. But that figure is not a hard cap and could fluctuate depending on need.
The quickest way to apply is at disasterassistance.gov, where the website will take people through several steps.
People living in Milwaukee, Washington, and Waukesha counties at the time of the storms can now apply for aid money.
In addition to basic contact information, people should have the following ready:
- A general list of damage and losses
- Annual household income
- Banking information if you choose direct deposit
- And insurance information if you have it
Federal aid will cover a lot of needs, like:
- Temporary housing
- Home repairs
- Damaged furnace, water heater, etc
- Vehicle repairs
- Moving costs
- Childcare costs
- Lost personal property
But only if those losses are uninsured.
But by law, FEMA cannot provide assistance for needs that have been met by insurance or other programs.
Because of that, the first step people should have taken -and should still take if they haven't already- is to contact their insurance providers to file a claim.
Over the past several weeks, damage assessors from the local, state, and federal levels have surveyed thousands of homes.
But it's important to know that any previous damage assessments, and any previous reports to 211, are not aid applications. People must now apply separately for FEMA aid.
And online is not the only way to apply. In the coming days, FEMA and the state will return to the affected areas to set up resource centers. There they will offer one-on-one support.