SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO) — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced on Tuesday that they are sending teams to four counties impacted by flooding to help homeowners apply for funding.
Tony Mayne, Public Affairs Specialist for FEMA District 8 said the Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams are on the way.
“In the next day or two, we will have people are going to be on the ground, some will be on the ground today,” Mayne told KELOLAND News. ” DSA teams will be going door to door and they will assist homeowners with applying to FEMA.”
DSA Teams will begin visiting neighborhoods in Davison, Lincoln, Turner, and Union counties to help residents who received damage from recent severe storms, straight-line winds, and flooding apply for disaster assistance.
Mayne said what the DSA teams will be doing.
“These teams will usually go door to door and they will be able to help residents register for assistance that way,” Mayne said. “They can also go to DisasterAssistance.gov, they can use the FEMA mobile app, or they can call 1-800-621-3362.”
DSA teams will work in coordination with state and county emergency management. The teams help survivors apply with FEMA and address immediate and emerging needs. They also provide application status updates and referrals to community resources.
Mayne said homeowners should be wary of people trying to scam them.
“DSA teams will have on FEMA clothing or FEMA vests and they will have ID cards representing FEMA,” said Mayne. “I want people to know that because unfortunately during these times there are people who will try to take advantage of flood victims.”
Mayne said homeowners will need to have documentation ready.
“You will need to prove that you live at that location as your primary residence because secondary homes don’t count, you can only apply for your primary home,” said Mayne. ” The important thing is to have something that verifies where you live, if you live in that house have something to verify your occupancy.”
Mayne said it’s important to set people’s expectations of what FEMA funds will do.
“People need to know that while those funds will help, FEMA isn’t going to buy them a new house,” said Mayne. “Some people think that my house was destroyed but FEMA is going to buy me a new one, that’s not accurate.”
According to FEMA’s website, the maximum amount an individual can be awarded for 2024 is $42,500. The eligible award amount is based on the damage observed during the FEMA inspection.
Disaster Recovery Centers will also be coming to the impacted counties, but there has been no confirmed date or time when those will arrive.
