• The applicant must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien who incurred funeral expenses after Jan. 20, 2020 until Sep. 30, 2025 for a death attributed to COVID-19.
• If multiple individuals contributed toward funeral expenses, they should apply under a single application as applicant and co-applicant. FEMA will also consider documentation from other individuals not listed as the applicant and co-applicant who may have incurred funeral expenses as part of the registration for the deceased individual.
• An applicant may apply for multiple deceased individuals.
• The COVID-19-related death must have occurred in the United States, including the U.S. territories and the District of Columbia.
• This assistance is limited to a maximum financial amount of $9,000 per funeral and a maximum of $35,500 per application.
• Funeral assistance is intended to assist with expenses for funeral services and interment or cremation.

• Applicants who incurred COVID-19-related funeral expenses between Jan. 20 and May 16, 2020, will be able to submit a death certificate that does not attribute the death to COVID-19 along with a signed statement from the certifying official listed on the death certificate, coroner, or medical examiner linking the death to COVID-19. The written statement must show causal pathway, or an explanation, linking the cause of death listed on the death certificate to the virus and should be submitted with the death certificate. Applicants also retain the option of contacting the individual who certified the death to request a death certificate amendment if they can provide justification demonstrating the death should be attributed to COVID-19. The certifying individual's name and address should be on the death certificate. For deaths occurring after May 16, 2020, COVID-19 funeral assistance documentation must include a copy of a death certificate that attributes the death to COVID-19.
• Funeral expense documents (receipts, funeral home contract, etc.) that include the applicant's name, the deceased individual's name, the amount of funeral expenses, and the dates the funeral expenses were incurred.
• Proof of funds received from other sources specifically for use toward funeral costs. Funeral assistance may not duplicate benefits received from burial or funeral insurance, financial assistance received from voluntary agencies, federal/state/local/tribal/territorial government programs or agencies, or other sources.

-- Serious needs, such as food, water, medicine, baby formula
-- Displacement, if you can't stay in your home because of the damage.
-- Home repairs and rental assistance
-- Other needs, such as replacing personal property

Only one registration per household is needed. When applying, have the following information available:
-- Address with Zip Code
-- Condition of your damaged home
-- Insurance information, if available
-- Social Security Number of one member of the household
-- Phone number where you can be contacted
-- Address where you can get mail or an email address
-- Bank account information for direct deposit of funds


By law, FEMA is not allowed to pay for losses covered by insurance, so please stay in close contact with your insurance agency. If insurance will not cover all your losses, you are encouraged to apply. You can apply whether you have insurance or not.

In coming days and in coordination with state and local emergency management, FEMA will have staff visiting impacted neighborhoods. They will carry official ID and will not ask for money. This will include staff who are assessing damage and providing information to residents.

Provides limited financial assistance in the event of a Governor Disaster Declaration for eligible households that have disaster-related needs and are unable to meet such needs through other means. The program awards reimbursement grants to a maximum per household grant of $5,000. Household income must be at 200% of federal poverty level or a maximum annual income of $41,560 for a family of three. Grants are available for home or car repairs, replacement of clothing or food, and for the expense of temporary housing. Original receipts are required for those seeking reimbursement for actual expenses related to storm recovery.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

- Must live in Governor Disaster Declaration area.
- Must be a legal resident of the United States and 18 + years old.
- Income guidelines for families, income must be at or below 200% of federal poverty level.
- Individuals residing in the household must be able to verify occupancy.
- Application must be sent in within 45 days of declaration to your local Community Action Association.

TO APPLY - There are 2 different ways to apply:
1. Print off an application, fill it out, then take it to your local Community Action Partnership.
2. Go to your local Community Action Partnership and they can help you apply.

COUNTIES ELIGIBLE FOR ASSISTANCE:
The Governor has issued a disaster proclamation for the following counties in response to the severe weather that swept through parts of Iowa:

- Polk County is now eligible for the Individual Disaster Assistance Grant and Disaster Case Management through the local community action agency in response to the severe storms and flooding across the state. Deadline to apply for the grant is September 19, 2024 (45 days from date of proclamation - 8/7/24).

- Allamakee and Winneshiek Counties are now eligible for the Individual Disaster Assistance Grant and Disaster Case Management through the local community action agency in response to the severe storms and flooding across the state. Deadline to apply for the grant is September 20, 2024 (45 days from date of proclamation - 8/8/24).

- Des Moines County is now eligible for the Individual Disaster Assistance Grant and Disaster Case Management through the local community action agency in response to the severe storms and flooding across the state. Deadline to apply for the grant is October 13, 2024 (45 days from date of proclamation - 8/29/24).

- Floyd County is now eligible for the Individual Disaster Assistance Grant and Disaster Case Management through the local community action agency in response to the severe storms and flooding across the state. Deadline to apply for the grant is October 20, 2024 (45 days from date of proclamation - 9/5/24).

**If FEMA has declared the county as a National Disaster, clients should apply with FEMA first 1-800-621-3362 for Allamakee, Cass, Des Moines, Fayette, Henry, and Lee counties

Provides eligible homeowners who have been impacted by COVID-19 with assistance for mortgage payments and related property expenses. The Iowa Finance Authority will be administering federal emergency funding for mortgage assistance for Homeowners who have been impacted by COVID-19 and are income-eligible, and who are, or were, at risk of foreclosure.

Eligible Households include:

-- Current homeowners (must own the property)

-- Must be able to show a COVID-related financial hardship

-- Must be behind at least 30 days on payments for mortgage, contract sale, manufactured home or property taxes

-- Household income may not exceed 150% Area Median Income (AMI) at time of application

-- Property must be in Iowa and be the primary resident of applicant

Post-Storm Terms:

Disaster Case Management - Disaster Related Case Management

Disaster Financial Assistance - Disaster Related Cash Grants

Debris Cleanup Assistance - Disaster Related Debris Removal

Donations of items or money - Disaster Donations Coordination

Post-disaster distress/crisis counseling - Post Disaster Mental Health Services

Disaster Recovery Centers and MARCs - Disaster Recovery Centers

Legal - Post Disaster Legal Counseling

IOWA FEMA Disaster Recovery Temporary Housing Program

Provides temporary housing, which may include recreational vehicles and travel trailers, for up to six months at no cost for Iowans whose homes were majorly damaged, destroyed, or deemed not habitable in counties currently under a federal disaster declaration.

Eligible counties are Adair, Adams, Buena Vista, Cedar, Clarke, Clay, Crawford, Emmet, Harrison, Jasper, Lyon, Montgomery, Obrien, Plymouth, Polk, Pottawattamie, Ringgold, Scott, Shelby, Sioux, Story, and Union. The recovery process and damage assessments are still ongoing and additional counties may become eligible.

Iowans whose primary residence is in a qualifying county must first apply for FEMA disaster assistance to be eligible for the program. Homeowners must also have filed a claim with their insurance company and have received final approval or denial of their claim. Applicable FEMA and insurance documentation is requested as part of the application process, including, but not limited to their FEMA Individual Assistance case number.

To Apply:

Visit disasterrecovery.iowa.gov to complete an application

Call Center available at (608) 480-8808 or (833) 307-6030, Mon-Sun 7 am-8 pm.

FEMA Rental Assistance Available in Iowa

Homeowners and renters may be eligible for FEMA Rental Assistance if they cannot live in their homes because of recent flooding and storms in Iowa.

Eligible counties are Adair, Adams, Buena Vista, Cedar, Cherokee, Clarke, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Harrison, Humboldt, Jasper, Lyon, Mills, Montgomery, O'Brien, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Polk, Pottawattamie, Ringgold, Shelby, Sioux, Story, Union or Woodbury.

Money can be used to rent a place to live, such as a house, apartment, hotel room, RV or other options while the damaged home is repaired, or you look for a new place to live.

To Apply:

Visit disasterrecovery.iowa.gov to complete an application

Call Center available at (608) 480-8808 or (833) 307-6030, Mon-Sun 7 am-8 pm.

Disaster Recovery 5-Year Forgivable Loans for FEMA Declared Counties

Open to those who live in an area where FEMA has been activated - 5-year forgivable loans are available for those who still have unmet housing recovery needs that fall beyond the scope of insurance of FEMA assistance. Maximum aware is $50,000 for repair/rehab of the disaster-affected home.

Apply for a loan by visiting iowagrants.gov

Governor Declared Counties in IOWA:

All counties declared a disaster by the Governor (see list below) are eligible for the Individual Disaster Assistance Grant and Disaster Case Management. Anyone residing in the declared counties can reach out to their local Community Action Agency to apply for the Disaster Grant and Disaster Case Management.

- Des Moines County is now eligible for the Individual Disaster Assistance Grant and Disaster Case Management through the local community action agency in res

Post-Storm Terms:

Disaster Case Management - Disaster Related Case Management

Disaster Financial Assistance - Disaster Related Cash Grants

Debris Cleanup Assistance - Disaster Related Debris Removal

Debris Dump Sites - Post Disaster Cleanup Information

Donations of items or money - Disaster Donations Coordination

Disaster Recovery Centers and MARCs - Disaster Recovery Centers

Legal - Post Disaster Legal Counseling

Post-disaster distress/crisis counseling - Post Disaster Mental Health Services

FEMA Disaster Centers - FEMA Disaster Assistance Online/Tele-Registration

Volunteer - Disaster/Emergency Service Volunteer Opportunities

Disaster Case Management - Long Term Recovery

Tri-County Long Term Recovery Group is available to support survivors thru the recovery process. A trained Disaster Case Manager can connect you with legal, construction, or social service resources; guide you through the FEMA and insurance processes; assist in researching resources; and connect you with additional help.

COPE, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and Heartland Hope Mission are providing case management for households impacted by the summer tornado and storms. **Add the client to the Tornado Long Term Recovery ReferralQ if they are calling and are recovering from the tornado** A case manager will call them back.

Electric Service Equipment Repair Program

Douglas, Sarpy, Washington and Burt Counties, NE -

Habitat For Humanity's Emergency Home Repair Program is helping customers needing financial assistance for repairs specific to their customer-owned electric service equipment. Open to customers needing help that received a tag from OPPD with damage repair responsibility.

Customer can apply for the program online at:

https://habitatomaha.org/programs/home-repair/

or email [email protected] for more information.

Important note: Customers with household income higher than 100% of AMI are not eligible for the program.

Disaster Cash Grants

FEMA assistance grants were available in Nebraska for Douglas and Washington counties, with the application deadline of July 15, 2024. For those who applied by that date, questions can be directed to FEMA www.disasterassistance.govor call (800) 621-3362.

Help with Debris Removal

Douglas and Sarpy County, NE and Pottawattamie County, IA - We no longer have groups assisting with tree debris removal.

If you signed up for assistance with Team Rubicon and have not been assisted, please find other resources to help with this need. (May suggest church in their neighborhood, neighborhood association, friends/family, etc.)

Legal Needs and Assistance

Legal Aid of Nebraska has set up a Disaster Relief Hotline for anyone in Nebraska that has been impacted by severe storms and has a disaster related legal issue they need help with. Call (844) 268-5627 for further assistance.

Disaster Mental Health

The Disaster Distress Helpline is a national hotline for year-round disaster crisis counseling. Available 24/7, toll-free, to those who are experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-cause