President Donald Trump has approved $29.8 million in federal relief dollars to help homeowners and local officials in southeast Wisconsin recover from historic fooding in August.
Homeowners may be reimbursed for costs associated with flood damage now that federal relief has been approved, according to Milwaukee County officials.
The county will also be able to seek reimbursement for public damage, and plans to set up disaster recovery centers where people can file claims and speak with Federal Emergency Management Agency representatives, Milwaukee County Strategy Director Isaac Rowlett said.
As of Aug. 29, at least $52 million worth of damage had been identified in Milwaukee County alone, according to the county’s Office of Emergency Management.
The flooding left at least two people dead, while tens of thousands were without power, and there was widespread sewage contamination and major disruptions to roads, schools, businesses and utilities. Much of this damage was concentrated in northwest Milwaukee and in multiple municipalities around the city of Milwaukee, including Bayside, Brown Deer, Glendale, West Milwaukee and Wauwatosa.
Here’s what you need to know about the Federal Emergency Management Agency, also known as FEMA, and how to receive assistance if eligible.
What are the eligibility requirements to receive FEMA assistance from the Individuals and Households Program?
If a disaster is declared, the following criteria must be met to be eligible for individual assistance from FEMA:
No other assistance: You may receive FEMA assistance only for needs not met by an insurance company or other similar reimbursement program.
Occupancy: You must have been living in the damaged property as your primary residence at the time of the disaster.
Ownership: You must own the damaged property or rent it.
Disaster damage: Your home must have sustained disaster-caused damage that is not covered by insurance.
U.S. Citizenship or legal residency: You must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien, according to FEMA.
Specific eligibility requirements may vary depending on the type of disaster and federal regulations.
Where can I check my eligibility and apply for assistance?
You can check your eligibility for assistance and apply by doing one of the following:
Calling the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (in your time zone), seven days a week. Due to high call volume during a disaster, please expect longer wait times. The agency recommends calling in the morning or evening.
During a disaster, the quickest way to get answers about assistance eligibility is usually by visiting a Disaster Recovery Center. The wait time at these centers is usually shorter, and they also have in-person, one-on-one FEMA representatives. To find the closest center, use this online locator: FEMA.gov/DRC
Download the FEMA app for mobile devices.
FEMA cannot provide assistance for disaster needs that have been met by another source such as insurance or other programs. But, if your insurance or another program does not cover all your disaster-caused needs, individuals may be eligible for assistance from FEMA, according to the agency.
When you apply for FEMA assistance, you must tell FEMA about any insurance coverage you have that can help with your needs.
If you have insurance coverage, you will need to give FEMA proof of the insurance settlement or a letter explaining you were denied coverage before FEMA an determine what kind of assistance you are eligible for.
What is FEMA?
FEMA is a U.S. government agency focused on coordinating disaster response and recovery efforts.
FEMA’s assistance is initiated by an official request made by a state, tribal or territorial government. FEMA does not automatically respond to every disaster, according to the agency website.
State and local officials can issue emergency declarations to immediately mobilize local resources and implement emergency plans. If a disaster overwhelms state and local capacity, officials may request a presidential declaration, the agency said.
A presidential declaration triggers a federal response, providing additional resources and support. Federal agencies work with state and local governments affected by the disaster to assess damage, determine needs and allocate aid.
Unlike an emergency declaration, which can be issued before or immediately after a disaster, a presidential declaration can take a few days or even weeks to be issued.
Molly Beck and Claudia Levens of the Journal Sentinel contributed to this report.
Anna Kleiber can be reached at akleiber@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: FEMA funds approved for flooding in southeast Wisconsin; how to apply