UPDATE: FEMA to Kent, Providence, Washington county impacted by Dec/Jan disasters: Apply now

On March 20, 2024, two disaster declarations were approved for Rhode Island. Residents in Kent, Providence and Washington counties can apply for federal assistance under:

DR-4765-RI for the December 17-19, 2023, severe storms and flooding – and

DR-4766-RI for the January 9-13, 2024, severe storms and flooding

When two or more disasters are declared in the same state, FEMA ensures survivors receive all eligible assistance while preventing a duplication of federal benefits. One way the agency achieves this is to require a separate application for each disaster. If you have property damage or loss from the December severe storms and flooding, and then again from the January severe storms and flooding, you will need to complete two separate disaster assistance applications.

Homeowners and renters in Kent, Providence, and Washington counties have until May 20, 2024, to apply for property loss or damage caused by either disaster.

When applying for assistance, you will need to describe what damage happened on which date to ensure you’re applying under the correct disaster.

Survivors in the designated counties who have disaster-caused damage or loss from either storm can apply for federal disaster assistance in several ways:

Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Help is available in most languages. The toll-free numbers are open daily from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. ET. – OR…

Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov (also in Spanish)

Download the FEMA mobile app (also in Spanish), available at Google Play or the Apple App Store.

The schedule for in-person assistance at the Giles room at the Cranston Library at 140 Sockanosset Cross Rd, Cranston is:

• Wednesday and Thursday, March 27 and 28 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Monday through Thursday, April 1 – 4 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except Tuesday, April 2 when they will close at 4 p.m.

FEMA and the SBA representatives will be on hand to help you apply for assistance and answer any questions you might have about FEMA or SBA assistance.

Assistance from FEMA may include grants for temporary housing while you are unable to live in your home, such as temporary housing assistance or reimbursement for hotel costs for both owners and renters, and grants for disaster-caused expenses and serious needs, such as repair or replacement of personal property and vehicles, funds for moving and storage, medical, dental, childcare and other miscellaneous items.

FEMA assistance may also be provided for repair or replacement of owner-occupied homes that serve as the household’s primary residence, including privately owned access routes, such as driveways, roads, or bridges.

Applicants should keep their current contact information on file with FEMA as the agency may need to schedule a home inspection or get additional information.

Disaster assistance is not a substitute for insurance and cannot compensate for all losses caused by a disaster. The assistance is intended to meet basic needs and supplement disaster recovery efforts.

For the latest information visit 4765 | FEMA.gov. and 4766 | FEMA.gov. Follow the FEMA Region 1 account at Twitter twitter.com/FEMARegion1 or the Facebook page at facebook.com/FEMA.

For updates on the Rhode Island response and recovery, follow the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency on Twitter at twitter.com/RhodeIslandEMA, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandEMA, or visit www.riema.ri.gov.

FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. All FEMA disaster assistance will be provided without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment), sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, limited English proficiency, economic status. If you believe your civil rights are being violated, you can call the Civil Rights Resource line at 833-285-7448.

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Preparing for a Home Inspection

After you apply for assistance, FEMA may send an inspector to your home to verify disaster caused damage. If you do receive an inspection a FEMA inspector will contact you to set a date and time prior to the inspection. You don’t have to wait for a FEMA inspector to clean up. FEMA inspectors don’t need to see the debris to verify damages.

It may be helpful if you take pictures and write down the damage you have before you begin. Then, as you go, save any receipts for cleaning or repairing your property.

If you won’t be available for your inspection, but have someone who will represent you, be sure to give their complete contact information to FEMA before the scheduled inspection.

Remember, FEMA inspectors will ALWAYS have an ID badge. They will NEVER ask for money, and they do not determine if you are eligible for assistance.