Houses of worship can apply for FEMA disaster assistance until Saturday

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has released new information on how local faith-based organizations and houses of worship can seek assistance as they too recover from the May 10 tornado outbreak.

According to FEMA, houses of worship that provide essential social services may submit a FEMA "Request for Public Assistance" through Grants Portal, an online recovery management tool. Houses of worship that provide a "noncritical social service" need to take some extra steps before they can apply for assistance funding.

First, they must go through the loan application with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Assistance program before FEMA can determine eligibility for the agency's Public Assistance program.

However, some activities regarding emergency protective measures that were performed in preparation or response to the storm may be eligible according to FEMA, without or while pending an SBA decision.

"SBA’s low-interest disaster loans provide up to $2 million for damaged real estate and the repair or replacement of property, such as furniture, fixtures and other eligible inventory," the release said. "For information about disaster assistance from SBA, visit SBA.gov/disaster or call 800-659-2955."

The deadline for Requests for Public Assistance (RPAs) via Grants Portal at the end of this week July 27, or Saturday.

FEMA Assistance Eligibility

• The house of worship must be owned or operated by a private nonprofit organization.
• It must have sustained damage caused by the May 10 severe storms and tornadoes in Baker, Columbia, Gadsden, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Santa Rosa, Suwanee, Taylor and Wakulla County.
• The facility must be open to the public.
• The application must include state and/or U.S. Internal Revenue Service documentation of tax-exempt status, pre-disaster charter and other documentation.

What documentation do you need to provide?

• Evidence of federal or state tax-exempt status or other documents indicating non-profit status, such as bylaws or articles of incorporation.
• Pre-disaster evidence of incorporation/charter/bylaws.
• A Data Universal Systems number established with the government.
• Supporting documentation establishing lease or ownership of the building, proof of use, and proof of insurance.
• If eligibility is granted, the following will need to be submitted: A list of sites damaged; "before and after" pictures; and information about any historic structures.

Arianna Otero is the City Solutions Reporter for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact her via email at AOtero@tallahassee.com or on Twitter/X: @ari_v_otero.