How South Dakotans can apply for FEMA disaster funds

SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO) — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal disaster assistance is available to the state of South Dakota to help recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe flooding.

South Dakota suffered from a 1,000-year flooding event that occurred between June 16 and July 8. Twenty-five counties have received disaster assistance from FEMA, and four of those counties have qualified for individual assistance for residents and business owners.

South Dakotans have 60 days from Aug. 15 to apply for assistance from FEMA.

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Harold Timmerman, Lincoln County Emergency Management Coordinator, said that there were three ways to apply for assistance right now which are online , by phone at 1-800-621-3362, or on their mobile app .

Anyone applying through FEMA’s website can log on and will be asked a couple of questions to see if you are eligible to apply for FEMA assistance.

After answering some questions and creating an account you can then move on to filling out your application. Individuals will need their home, mailing, and email addresses; phone number; Social Security number; and banking and insurance information to fill out their application. FEMA also asks individual to save and keep your Application ID after you submit your application.

FEMA will review applications. If it cannot make the determination based on an individual’s application alone it may request for more information or to inspect an individual’s home.

If FEMA does determine an individual is eligible it will send a payment using the method the individual chose when filling out their application. Options involve direct deposit or a check by mail.

Disaster recovery centers will going up throughout impacted counties in South Dakota. Dates and locations for disaster recovery centers have not been announced yet.

Disaster recovery centers help individuals in applying for assistance, learning the status of a FEMA application, and find housing and rental assistance information needed to apply.

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