DETROIT – Wednesday, May 8 is the last day that Metro Detroiters can apply for financial assistance in connection with the series of storms that caused serious flooding in the area last summer.
Federal assistance is available to residents and business owners in Metro Detroit this year after U.S. President Joe Biden in February approved the Michigan governor’s request for a major disaster declaration. The declaration was made for multiple counties that experienced damage caused by storms in late July and August 2023. During that time, storms brought strong winds and heavy rain that caused significant flooding, in addition to seven tornadoes.
The approval of the disaster declaration request means Michigan residents affected by those storms now have access to assistance through the federal government. The deadline for residents and business owners to apply for this assistance was April 8, 2024, though that date was extended to May 8.
Wednesday is the deadline to request assistance. Here’s how that process works.
What assistance is available?
Home owners and business owners who experienced damages or other issues related to the August storms and flooding are eligible to apply for assistance. The assistance comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA for short.
However, the exact type of assistance available varies depending on the needs of the person, family or business.
For some, assistance from FEMA may come in the form of grants for temporary housing or home repairs. FEMA could also offer low-cost loans to “cover uninsured property losses,” officials said.
The FEMA assistance is meant to help people and businesses recover from the effects of the storms.
To see what kind of assistance you may qualify for, you’ll have to submit an application with the federal government online, by phone, or on the FEMA app.
Who’s eligible for assistance?
The disaster declaration was approved for the following counties:
- Eaton
- Ingham
- Ionia
- Kent
- Livingston
- Macomb
- Monroe
- Oakland
- Wayne
Residents and business owners in those counties can apply for assistance. Entire communities will also be allowed to request assistance regarding hazard mitigation measures and the like, officials said in February.
How to apply for assistance
Applications for assistance can be submitted online, over the phone, or using the FEMA app.
- Click here to begin your online application on the DisasterAssistance.gov site. From there, you will explain your needs and situation, create an account, and fill out the application to be sent to FEMA.
- To apply over the phone, call 1-800-621-3362. The FEMA helpline is available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day.
- Click here to download the FEMA app to your device to submit your application there.
The deadline to apply for assistance is Wednesday, May 8, 2024.
Learn more on FEMA’s website here.
Related: Tax deadline extended for Michiganders affected by 2023 storms