How Public Assistance Is Different From Individual Assistance

The President declared a major disaster for the May 21-27 severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, landslides and mudslides, making Individual Assistance and Public Assistance available for the designated counties in Kentucky. Below are some differences between these two programs:

Public Assistance

Public Assistance provides supplemental grants to state, tribal, territorial, and local governments, and certain types of private non-profits so that communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies.

• For the May 21-27 disaster declaration (DR-4804-KY), Public Assistance may be available for Adair, Allen, Ballard, Barren, Breckinridge, Butler, Caldwell, Calloway, Carlisle, Christian, Clay, Clinton, Crittenden, Cumberland, Edmonson, Estill, Fulton, Garrard, Graves, Grayson, Green, Hart, Hickman, Hopkins, Jackson, Knox, Larue, Laurel, Lee, Leslie, Livingston, Logan, Lyon, Marshall, McCracken, McCreary, McLean, Meade, Menifee, Metcalfe, Monroe, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Owsley, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Russell, Simpson, Todd, Trigg, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Whitley, and Woodford counties.
• Federal funding is available to eligible entities, including state governments, local governments, and certain private nonprofit organizations, such as schools, hospitals, houses of worship and public utility districts.
• Although funds are awarded to government entities and certain private nonprofits, the Public Assistance program is intended to benefit the public - neighborhoods, cities, counties and states.
• Public Assistance can help pay for:
  • The removal of eligible disaster-related debris;
  • The repair of roads and bridges;
  • The repair of utilities and water systems;
  • The restoration or repair of buildings such as schools, hospitals and places that provide community services;
  • The replacement of equipment used by public facilities;
• The program also encourages protection of damaged facilities from future incidents by providing assistance for hazard mitigation measures.
• Learn more about FEMA's Public Assistance program at https://www.fema.gov/assistance/public.

Individual Assistance

Individual Assistance provides direct financial assistance to eligible individuals and families who have sustained losses due to disasters.

• For the May 21-27 disaster declaration (DR-4804-KY), Individual Assistance is available for qualified homeowners and renters in Butler, Caldwell, Calloway, Christian, Clay, Greenup, Hopkins, Knox, Logan, Muhlenberg, Simpson, Todd, Trigg, Warren, and Whitley counties.
• Individuals and households in counties approved for Individual Assistance who have uninsured expenses and serious needs may apply for disaster assistance.
• Individual Assistance is intended to meet survivors' basic needs and supplement disaster recovery efforts, to help pay for temporary housing, emergency home repairs, uninsured personal property losses, and medical, dental, and funeral expenses caused by the disaster, along with other serious disaster-related expenses.
• Learn more about FEMA's Individual Assistance program at fema.gov/assistance/individual.

For the latest information on Kentucky's recovery from the May 21-27 severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, landslides and mudslides, please visit fema.gov/disaster/4804. Follow FEMA on X, formerly called Twitter, at twitter.com/femaregion4 and at facebook.com/fema.