Senator Karla May's May Report for June 23, 2025

Monday, June 23, 2025

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June 20, 2025

FEMA Assistance

As our community continues to recover and rebuild after the devastating storm last month, I wanted to continue providing information regarding Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance in St. Louis. 

 

The City of St. Louis has a Disaster Assistance Center (DAC) at Chaifetz Arena open June 23-26 from 10 am-7 pm providing services including emotional support, legal assistance, job programs and more. You can also visit stlouis-mo.gov/tornado for response and recovery resources.

 

If you live in St. Louis City or St. Louis County and sustained damage to your home or personal property in the May 16 disaster, you can apply for FEMA assistance. FEMA may be able to provide financial assistance to help cover necessary expenses if you are uninsured or underinsured, such as money to help pay for home repairs, a temporary place to live, essential personal property that was destroyed and other needs. The deadline to apply is Aug. 11, 2025. The fastest way to apply is online at DisasterAssistance.gov. You may also call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 between 6 am and 10 pm. If you received FEMA Displacement Assistance, you may be eligible for Rental Assistance. To ask for Rental Assistance, call the FEMA Helpline.

 

FEMA housing inspectors are in St. Louis City and St. Louis County to verify damage reports and property losses. FEMA inspectors will already know your FEMA case number, will present their FEMA ID and never ask for or accept money. This service is free. Contact local law enforcement if you are concerned about someone claiming to be a FEMA inspector.

 

You will need to provide the following information when applying to aid:

  • If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name.
  • A current phone number.
  • Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying.
  • Your Social Security number.
  • A general list of damage and losses.
  • Banking information for direct deposit, if available.

Please be sure to keep receipts for disaster related items purchased (items to make repairs to home, hotel receipts, etc.)


After applying, a FEMA inspector may contact you to schedule a home inspection. This inspection is required for FEMA to verify damage reported on your application. You will be sent a determination letter from FEMA either by mail or email. If you have insurance, FEMA will not be able to consider you for assistance until you provide insurance documentation, such as an insurance settlement or denial letter, to FEMA. If your letter says your application cannot be approved, it does not mean you’re denied. The letter will explain how to appeal the decision if you do not agree with it.

 

Additionally, the U.S. Small Business Administration offers low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters and businesses affected by the disaster. You can apply for these loans through MySBA Loan Portal.

 

I will continue to provide updates on state or federal aid assistance as I receive them.

 

CONTACT INFORMATION

Thank you for your interest in the legislative process. I look forward to hearing from you on the issues that are important to you this legislative session. If there is anything my office can do for you, please do not hesitate to contact my office at 573-751-3599.