Updated FEMA Programs Better Assist People with Disabilities

FEMA funding to make certain accessibility improvements to homes damaged by a declared disaster is available to eligible survivors with disabilities. Recent updates in FEMA Individual Assistance programs provide disaster support by increasing accessibility and eligibility for affected people, families and communities.

Serious Needs Assistance

To qualify for SNA, you must be displaced, need shelter or have other emergency costs due to a disaster. SNA covers important items like water, food, first aid, breastfeeding supplies, infant formula, diapers, personal hygiene items, fuel for transportation or other emergency supplies for eligible households. An inspection of disaster damage is needed to confirm eligibility before funds are provided. This assistance helps those who face greater health risks when access to disability-related supplies is delayed.

Displacement Assistance

If you cannot return to your home, you may receive up-front funds to assist with arranging other housing. Funds help you pay for expenses while you look for a rental option. Displacement Assistance requires an inspection to confirm eligibility before funds are provided. This immediate short-term funding can also help you pay for accessible accommodations such as those found in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility standards for housing.

Habitability Criteria

FEMA simplified its definition of "habitability" to include repairs to homes with previous damage that were made worse by the disaster. This helps applicants with medical or health-related needs be able to repair their home even if it was in bad condition before the disaster.

Accessibility Improvements

Kentuckians with disabilities may use FEMA funding to make some accessibility improvements to homes damaged by a federally declared disaster. You can make your home more accessible than it was before the disaster with specific items, such as wheelchair ramps, grab bars and paved pathways. This assistance does not count against the federal Housing Assistance maximum.

Temporary Housing Assistance Applications

Requirements are easier to meet for applicants who need to extend their stay in temporary housing. This means less documentation is necessary if you need more help paying for a place to stay.

Streamlined DisasterAssistance.gov Website

Applying for disaster assistance is now faster and easier on the DisasterAssistance.gov website. If you use assistive technologies to navigate websites, you will find that applying for assistance is more visual, easier to navigate and more accessible than before.

How To Apply for FEMA Individual Assistance

• Visit a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center. To find your nearest Disaster Recovery Center, visit fema.gov/drc.
• Call FEMA at 800-621-3362. Multilingual operators are available. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service.
• Apply at DisasterAssistance.gov.
• Download and use the FEMA app.

FEMA programs are accessible to people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs.

Homeowners, renters, businesses, and nonprofit organizations can apply for long-term, low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance and other sources. Apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via the SBA's secure website at sba.gov/disaster.

For the latest information on Kentucky's recovery from the May 21-27 severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, landslides and mudslides, as well as news releases, fact sheets and other helpful documents in multiple languages, please visit fema.gov/disaster/4804. Follow FEMA at x.com/femaregion4and facebook.com/fema.

To view information about how to apply for FEMA disaster assistance in American Sign Language with captioning and a voiceover, please check the YouTube link.

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