Top 10 reasons why people haven’t applied for FEMA disaster assistance

NEW BERLIN, Wis.-With just a few days left to apply for disaster assistance before the Nov. 17 deadline, disaster officials have come up with their own Top Ten List of reasons why people in Grant and Milwaukee counties say they have not applied for assistance.

Here’s the Top Ten List:

Number 10: I didn’t know there was any assistance available for the (July 20 to 24) flooding.
Number 9: I thought the assistance was the same as welfare and I wouldn’t qualify.
Number 8:       I thought you had to live in a flood zone to qualify.
Number 7:       I thought any assistance would be taxable or affect my Social Security payments.
Number 6:       I thought you couldn’t apply if you have already cleaned up and made the repairs.
Number 5:       I thought you could only receive a loan … and I don’t want a loan.
Number 4:       I thought the media just said assistance was “denied” for Milwaukee County. Number 3:       I thought renters couldn’t get assistance, just homeowners.
Number 2:       I thought if you had insurance (a sewer back-up rider) you couldn’t apply.And the Number 1 Reason is:  I thought I applied months ago when I called the city, the county emergency management office or 211.

The real answer is: If you had damages and losses from the July 20 to July 24 flooding, you may be eligible for disaster assistance. More than 30,000 people have already applied and nearly $45 million in grants that do not have to be repaid has been approved for those who are eligible.Don’t miss out on disaster assistance!

Apply as soon as possible before the Nov. 17 deadline by going online atwww.DisasterAssistance.gov or call toll-free 1-800-621-3362, TTY 1-800-462-7585, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available to assist with your call.