Release date: April 27, 2020

Release Number: R4 DR-4541-TN NR 002

NASHVILLE – Renters in Bradley and Hamilton counties whose homes and property were damaged by the tornadoes and severe storms April 12-13 can apply for federal disaster assistance.

FEMA Individual Assistance is available to renters, including students, as well as homeowners. Federal grants can help pay for temporary housing. The initial rental grant is for a 60-day period and can be reviewed for further assistance. The registration deadline is June 24, 2020.

Renters may also qualify for a grant under FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance program for essential personal property and other disaster-related expenses. These may include:

Replacement or repair of necessary personal property, such as furniture, appliances, clothing, text books or school supplies

Replacement or repair of tools and other job-related equipment required by the self-employed

Primary vehicles

Medical and dental bills

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers low-interest disaster loans to help Tennessee renters repair or replace disaster-damaged personal property, including automobiles. Loan rates are as low as 1.563 percent, terms can be as long as 30 years, and survivors may be eligible for up to $40,000, depending on their losses.



Survivors in Bradley and Hamilton counties can register with FEMA in the following ways:

Visit DisasterAssistance.gov

Download the FEMA App

Call 800-621-3362 (800-462-7585 TTY). Multilingual operators are available. The toll-free numbers are open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EDT.

For additional information about SBA disaster loans, the loan application process, or for help completing the SBA application, visit SBA’s secure website at https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance. 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. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call 800-877-8339.

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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362. For TTY call 800-462-7585.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955. TTY users may also call 800-877-8339. Applicants may also email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or visit SBA at www.SBA.gov/disaster.

Source: FEMA.gov