Residents of the Bering Strait, Kashunamiut, Lower Kuskokwim and Lower Yukon areas who suffered property damage or loss from the recent storm, flooding and landslides are now eligible to apply for disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), State of Alaska and the Small Business Administration. The aid available includes temporary housing expenses, basic home repairs, or other essential disaster-related needs that are not covered by insurance. 

The State of Alaska and FEMA’s Individual Assistance (IA) programs are separate, and each have their own application process. However, it is important that survivors apply for both FEMA and Alaska’s IA programs. If a survivor is found ineligible for federal assistance, they may qualify for assistance through the State of Alaska, but applications must be submitted for both. 

State of Alaska Individual Assistance (IA) 
The State of Alaska IA program has two options that may help with disaster-related expenses:  

1. The Individuals and Family Grants (IFG) program can provide grant funding to survivors with damage to their essential personal property, homes, transportation, or medical/dental expenses.  

2. The Temporary Housing program can provide rental assistance to those with unlivable homes that were damaged by the storm. 
   

Those applying should be prepared to provide copies of: 

• Photo ID and contact information 
• Mailing address 
• Insurance declaration and exclusion (what is covered and what is NOT covered) 
• List of damages, if a vehicle, include year/make/model/VIN for vehicle 
• Number of home occupants and current living situation 
• Proof of residence at the damaged address at the time of the disaster 
• Repair estimates 

The deadline to apply for Alaska’s IA program is Nov. 17, 2022.

Survivors can apply for state assistance online at ready.alaska.gov/IA, or by calling the Disaster Assistance Hotline at 1-844-445-7131. 

FEMA Individuals and Households Program (IHP) 
FEMA’s IHP provides financial and direct services to eligible individuals and households who have disaster-related uninsured or underinsured necessary expenses and immediate needs. IHP is not a substitute for insurance and assistance is intended to meet the basic needs of the household, not to restore the home and contents to a pre-disaster condition. IHP is composed of two categories of assistance:  

1. Housing Assistance covers repairs to the structural parts of a home including windows, doors, floors, walls, ceilings, cabinets, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system, utilities (electrical, plumbing and gas systems), and entrance and exit ways from the home. FEMA may also pay up to the actual cost of the receipt or estimate for furnaces, wells, and septic systems. If repairs or replacements of these systems have already happened, valid receipts or estimates may be submitted to see if they qualify for FEMA assistance. 

2. Other Needs Assistance provides grants for uninsured, disaster-related expenses and needs. This assistance can include medical and dental expenses; funeral and burial costs; clothing; household items; specialized tools; subsistence equipment and supplies, educational materials; vehicles; and moving, storage, child-care or other necessary expenses related to the disaster. 

Before applying for assistance, below are three steps you need to take to start the process: 

Step One: Take photos of your damaged home and belongings. 
Step Two: Make a list of damaged/lost items. 
Step Three: If you have insurance, you must file a claim with your insurance company.  
                      If you do not have insurance, disregard this step. 

The deadline to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance is Nov. 22, 2022. 

Residents in the affected areas can apply online at disasterassistance.gov, by calling 800-621-3362, or by using the FEMA mobile app. Those who use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, can give the FEMA operator the number for that service. Phone lines operate from 7:00AM to 10:00PM AKDT, seven days a week. 
 

For a video on how to apply for FEMA assistance, please visit youtube.com/watch?v=WZGpWI2RCNw. 
 

Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Assistance 
Some individuals may be eligible to apply for an SBA Disaster Loan. These are long-term, low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters, businesses, and nonprofits that may cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other sources. 

Homeowners and renters should submit an SBA disaster loan application even if they are not sure they will need or want a loan. If SBA cannot approve the application, in most cases SBA will refer the applicant to FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance program for possible assistance. If the application is approved, individuals are not obligated to accept an SBA loan but failure to return the application may disqualify them from other possible FEMA assistance. 

SBA applications can be completed online at disasterloanassistance.sba.gov. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance.  

Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155. 
 

For more information about FEMA’s support to Alaska’s severe storms, flooding, and landslide recovery, visit the FEMA Disaster Site.  

American Red Cross 
Through American Red Cross, disaster survivors can register their household and the impacts of the disaster for financial assistance. Red Cross provides immediate financial disaster assistance after damage is confirmed with assessment. They also provide clean up kits, home repair items, and subsistence lifestyle items such as tarps, nets, vacuum sealers, buoys etc. Approximately 3 months following a disaster, the Red Cross also offers bridge assistance, which is financial assistance to help with the needs at a time when things return to normal. 

Get registered with the American Red Cross by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.