Tennesseans are Encouraged to Apply for Federal Assistance Before Deadline
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennesseans impacted by Tropical Storm Helene have a month left to apply for federal disaster assistance. The deadline to apply for is Tuesday, Jan. 7.
Applying for assistance is a critical step towards recovery. Survivors must apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Individual Assistance to be eligible to receive assistance through the federal agency. Through FEMA’s Individual and Households Program, survivors may be eligible for:
- Home repair or replacement
- Rental assistance
- Personal property
- Vehicle repair or replacement
- Childcare
- Medical and dental help
- Moving and storage expenses
- Privately owned roads, bridges, or docks
- Accessibility needs
- Funeral costs
Survivors in Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington counties can apply for FEMA disaster assistance:
- Online anytime at www.disasterassistance.gov
- On the FEMA App
- By phone at 1-800-621-3362 between 7 a.m. – midnight Eastern Time. Multilingual operators are available.
- In-person at a Disaster Recovery Center. To find one, visit www.fema.gov/drc.
To watch an accessible video on how to apply for disaster assistance, visit FEMA Accessible: Registering for Individual Assistance (youtube.com).
If you use a video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service, or other communication services, give FEMA your number for that service. More information on FEMA’s IA program can be found here.
Applying for federal disaster assistance from FEMA will not affect other federal benefits that survivors may receive, like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, or other federal welfare and entitlement programs.
After applying for federal assistance, it is important for FEMA to be able to contact you. If there are changes in your phone number or current address, let FEMA know as soon as possible or you may miss important telephone calls or correspondence.
In Tennessee, FEMA has approved more than $21.6 million in housing and other types of assistance for more than 13,900 households.
Federal Programs & Assistance Available
FEMA
- Individual Assistance
- Direct Temporary Housing Assistance
- Rental Assistance
- Assistance for Self-Employed Tennesseans
The deadline for survivors to apply for Individual Assistance is Tuesday, Jan. 7.
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
Applicants are encouraged to apply online for a disaster loan. Please call SBA at 800-659-2955 or schedule an in-person appointment if you have any questions. The deadline to apply for Business Physical Disaster Loans and Home Disaster Loans is Jan. 7, 2025. The deadline to apply for EIDL is July 2, 2025.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:
Emergency Prescription Assistance Program
The deadline for survivors to take advantage of this program is December 31.
If you are experiencing emotional distress related to the disaster recovery, call the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Crisis Hotline at 988.
Tennessee Department of Revenue: Disaster Tax Relief
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About the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency: TEMA’s mission is to coordinate preparedness, response and recovery from man-made, natural and technological hazards in a professional and efficient manner in concert with our stakeholders. Follow TEMA on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and at tn.gov/tema.