LANSING, Mich. — Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) crews from FEMA have started going door-to-door to help those affected by the tornadoes in August 2023 begin the process of receiving federal assistance.
Crews have begun in the areas that were hit hardest by the tornadoes, including Kent, Ionia, Ingham, Eaton, Livingston, Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties. In the weeks ahead, the crews will travel to other impacted counties.
The DSA crews will visit homes, businesses and nonprofits to help residents register for federal assistance, identify and address their needs and make referrals to local, state and voluntary agencies for additional support if needed.
FEMA said it's important to note that DSA crew members will never ask for or accept money and will always be wearing a FEMA ID badge with a photograph. While helping someone register for assistance the crew member will have to ask for personal information, so residents should ask for ID before the process begins.
Residents can also call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 to verify a FEMA visit is legitimate.
Michigan residents don't have to wait for a crew to apply for assistance.
FEMA said in order to apply, residents should download the FEMA Mobile App, visit DisasterAssistance.gov or call 800-621-3362.
In addition to this, FEMA said if you use video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, to give FEMA your number for that service when you apply.
The deadline to apply for federal assistance is April 8.
The federal assistance comes as President Joe Biden declared a major natural disaster in Michigan and ordered federal assistance to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas that were affected by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding dating back to August 2023.
During those storms, the National Weather Service confirmed that seven tornadoes had touched down across the state of Michigan. The severe weather left five people dead, trees downed, roofs torn off buildings and hundreds of thousands of people without power.
This action makes Federal funding available to those who were affected in the counties of Eaton, Ingham, Ionia, Kent, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, and Wayne.
Some of the assistance includes grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs that will help both individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
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