FEMA Individual Assistance

If you're one of the thousands of Minnesota homeowners and renters affected by the flooding that hit our state between July 16 and July 4, you may be eligible for some individual disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The individual assistance is available to residents in Blue Earth, Cook, Cottonwood, Faribault, Freeborn, Goodhue, Itasca, Jackson, Lake, Le Sueur, Mower, Nicollet, Nobles, Rice, Rock, St. Louis, Steele, Waseca, and Watonwan counties. Our Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) division is helping FEMA spread the word and organize disaster recovery centers where people can answer your questions.

FEMA can provide money to eligible applicants for help with serious needs, paying for a temporary place to live, home repairs and other needs not covered by insurance. For example, these funds can help pay for moving and storage expenses, hotel rooms, equipment like dehumidifiers and other things you need as a result of the flooding.

If you have insurance coverage, first file a claim. If you have uninsured or underinsured losses, apply for FEMA assistance by going online to DisasterAssistance.gov, downloading the FEMA app or calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use video relay service, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service. When calling the FEMA Helpline, multilingual operators are available (press 2 for Spanish and 3 for other languages).

To apply, you'll need:

• A current phone number where you can be contacted.
• Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying.
• Your social security number (or the social security number of a minor child in your household, if you're applying on their behalf).
• A general list of damage and losses.
• Banking information if you choose direct deposit.
• If insured, the policy number or the company name.

When you apply, you will receive a FEMA registration number. Save it. You will need the number whenever you contact FEMA. You can also use it to check the status of your request online.

We're helping FEMA put together disaster recovery centers, where you can get in-person help with requesting assistance. The locations will be shared on our disaster recovery page as they are finalized.

Disaster survivor assistance teams are traveling through the affected counties to help connect you to the resources you need. Remember: Teams will never ask for or accept money and will always be wearing a FEMA identification badge with a photograph. You can call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 to verify a FEMA visit if you suspect a scam.

For more information about the disaster recovery in Minnesota, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4797.