KENTUCKY — Gov. Andy Beshear, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Kentucky Emergency Management Agency on Monday announced additional FEMA staff will be available in-person to help Kentuckians who are eligible for federal disaster aid.

“We appreciate FEMA continuing to partner with us to help Kentuckians rebuild from devastating flooding,” said Beshear. “The additional FEMA staff helping Kentucky families in-person will ensure more of our people can get the help they need before the June 23 deadline to apply for federal disaster assistance.”

Homeowners, renters or business owners in 31 Kentucky counties who experienced property damage or loss caused by the severe storms from Feb. 27 to March 14 can visit Individual Assistance Registration Support Centers for help.

The centers will be open June 7-8 in Powell, Breathitt and Johnson counties; June 10-12 in Estill, Magoffin and Martin counties; June 16-18 in Clay County; and June 17-19 in Floyd and Lee counties. FEMA staff can help with registration, answer questions about appeals and scan documents into applicants' case files. No appointments are necessary.

The deadline to apply for federal disaster assistance is Wednesday, June 23, while the deadline to apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration is Tuesday, June 22.

“We welcome the new addition of the Mobile Registration Support Centers staffed by FEMA representatives to assist our families and homeowners impacted by the recent record flooding event,” said Michael Dossett, director of Kentucky Emergency Management. “This unique COVID-safe solution is one the many options available to our citizens to encourage registration for Individual Assistance (IA) during the remaining timeframe. Thanks to our FEMA partners for this engagement.”

Eligible Kentuckians should register even if they have insurance, according to a release from the governor's office. While FEMA can't duplicate insurance payments, eligible homeowners and renters may be able to receive a grant from FEMA for losses not covered by insurance to help pay for basic home repairs, temporary rental assistance and other needs like replacing personal property.

Kentuckians don't have to register or seek in-person assistance in the county where they live. The 31 counties declared eligible include Anderson, Breathitt, Boyd, Clark, Clay, Estill, Fayette, Floyd, Franklin, Greenup, Jackson, Jessamine, Johnson, Knott, Laurel, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Lincoln, Madison, Magoffin, Martin, Morgan, Owsley, Perry, Powell, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Warren and Woodford.

Hours of operation: 8 a.m. to Masks or face coverings are required for entry and service

Open Monday and Tuesday, June 7-8:

Powell County

Clay City Church of God: 4200 Main St., Clay City, Ky. 40312

Breathitt County

Old Montessori School: 422 Jett Drive, Jackson, Ky. 41339

Johnson County

City of Paintsville Tourism Welcome Center: 100 Stave Branch Road, Paintsville, Ky. 41256

Open Thursday to Saturday, June 10-12:

Estill County

Estill County Enrichment Center: 100 Golden Court, Irvine, Ky. 40336

Magoffin County

Magoffin County Health Department: 119 E. Mountain Parkway, Salyersville, Ky. 41465

Martin County

Martin County Business Center: 104 E. Main St., Inez, Ky. 41224

Open Wednesday to Friday, June 16-18:

Clay County

Clay County Community Center: 311 Highway 638, Manchester, Ky. 40962

Open Thursday to Saturday, June 17-19:

Floyd County

Floyd County Community Center: 7199 Kentucky Highway 60, Langley, Ky. 41645

Lee County

Lee County Community Center: 500 Mountain Top Road, Beattyville, Ky. 41311

Those who wish to register should have the following information available:

• Address of the damaged primary dwelling where the damage occurred;
• Current mailing address;
• Current telephone number;
• Social Security number;
• Your insurance information;
• Total household annual income;
• Routing and account numbers for checking or savings accounts so FEMA may directly transfer disaster assistance funds; and
• A description of disaster damage and losses.

However, people don't need to visit a registration support center to apply or update their application. Homeowners and renters may also register for assistance with FEMA in one of three ways:

• Online at DisasterAssistance.gov
• Downloading the FEMA app; or
• Calling 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585). Multilingual operators are available seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. local time. Multilingual operators are available during those hours (press 2 for Spanish).
• Those who use a Relay service, such as a videophone, Innocaption or CapTel, should provide their specific number assigned to that service. Phone calls from FEMA may come from an unidentified number.

On April 23, President Joe Biden issued a major disaster declaration at Beshear’s request, making federal funding available for Kentucky families and communities to recover from the severe flooding earlier this year. On May 28, Beshear announced additional assistance for 22 more counties affected by the flooding.

Locations, dates and times of the registration centers are subject to change based on needs or circumstances. You can call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 to check availability.