Today is the last day to apply for most federal disaster aid

Today is the last day for local residents affected by severe weather earlier this year to apply for most forms of aid.

Federal Emergency Management Agency officials are encouraging those who were affected by the March 31 to April 1 storms and tornadoes and live or own a business in Allen, Benton, Clinton, Grant, Howard, Johnson, Lake, Monroe, Morgan, Owen, Sullivan or White counties to register for FEMA assistance before the end of the day Wednesday. Assistance available includes grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster, according to FEMA.

FEMA’s Disaster Recovery Centers, which are designed to help residents with submitting documents in person to speed the application process along, will also permenatly close Wednesday. This includes the Whiteland Center, 999 N. Front St.

Wednesday is also a major deadline for assistance from the Small Business Administration, as it is the last day people apply for most disaster loans through the SBA, with the exception of economic injury loans, which have an application deadline of Jan. 15, 2024.

Residents have multiple options to apply for disaster distance:

• Visit a Disaster Recovery Center: Go to 999 N. Front St., Whiteland. The center will permanently close at the end of the day Wednesday.
• Internet or Smartphone Application: Disaster survivors may apply for the Individuals and Households Program or check their application status at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. Disaster survivors may also access FEMA via smartphone by downloading the application from www.fema.gov or through their mobile provider’s application store. People can apply for Small Business Association help at DisasterLoanAssistance.sba.gov.
• By Phone: Disaster survivors may call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362 to register for assistance or check their application status. Disaster survivors who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability and use a Text Telephone (TTY) may call 800-462-7585. Disaster survivors who use 711 or VRS (Video Relay Service) may call 800-621-3362.

To learn more about applying for FEMA aid, go to www.DisasterAssistance.gov. To learn more about SBA aid, go to DisasterLoanAssistance.sba.gov.