The deadline for Tennessee residents affected by Tropical Storm Helene to apply for federal disaster assistance has been extended. Governor Bill Lee announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Individual Assistance (IA) program application deadline is now set for Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
Governor Lee emphasized the importance of providing critical resources to communities in East Tennessee as they continue the recovery process. He expressed gratitude for the federal support, stating that the road to recovery will be long and federal resources are essential for severe weather response and recovery.
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Residents in the counties of Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington are eligible to apply for Individual Assistance. This assistance can help cover costs such as temporary housing, essential home repairs, personal property losses, and other disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance.
Patrick C. Sheehan, Director of the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA), also expressed appreciation for the deadline extension. He noted that the extension provides families with additional time to access much-needed assistance as they recover from the disaster.
Tennesseans impacted by Tropical Storm Helene are encouraged to apply for assistance promptly. FEMA Individual Assistance supports disaster survivors by addressing uninsured or underinsured basic critical needs, ensuring homes return to a safe and functional state during recovery.
Survivors can apply for Individual Assistance through several methods:
– Online: Visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
– Phone: Call 1-800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to midnight ET, with multilingual operators available.
– Mobile App: Download the FEMA app to apply and monitor application status.
– In-Person: Find a nearby Disaster Recovery Center.
Source: Read Original Release
Tennessee Residents Advised on REAL ID Deadline
Tennessee’s Department of Safety and Homeland Security is reminding residents about the REAL ID deadline, set for May 7, 2025, when a REAL ID or federally issued photo ID will be required for access to certain federal facilities and commercial flights. As of now, 1.6 million Tennesseans still need to obtain a REAL ID. The application process involves providing specific documentation and must be completed in person. While obtaining a REAL ID is optional, regular Tennessee licenses will still serve many functions. Further details can be found at tnrealid.gov.