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FEMA is offering a wide variety of help to people affected by the June 16 – July 4 severe storms and  flooding. Homeowners and renters in Blue Earth, Cook, Cottonwood, Faribault, Freeborn, Goodhue, Itasca, Jackson,  Lake, Le Sueur, Mower, Nicollet, Nobles, Rice, Rock, St. Louis, Steele, Waseca and Watonwan counties who suffered damage are encouraged to apply, according to a press release.

FEMA can provide money to eligible applicants for help with serious needs, paying for a temporary place to live,  home repairs and other needs not covered by insurance. FEMA assistance is limited to primary homes only, or the  place you live more than six months of the year. Second homes, vacation homes or homes used as vacation rentals do not qualify for FEMA assistance. 

Money provided by FEMA does not have to be repaid and may include: 

• Serious needs: Money for lifesaving and life-sustaining items, including water, food, first aid, prescriptions,  infant formula, breastfeeding supplies, diapers, consumable medical supplies, durable medical equipment, personal hygiene items and fuel for transportation. 
• Displacement: Money to help with housing needs if you cannot return to your home because of the disaster.  The money can be used to stay in a hotel, with family and friends or other options while you look for a rental  unit. 
• Home repair or replacement: Money to help you repair or replace your home damaged by the disaster. The money can also help with pre-existing damage to parts of your home where the disaster caused  further damage. 
• Rental assistance: Money you can use to rent housing if you are displaced from your home because of the disaster. 
• Personal property: Money to help you repair or replace appliances, room furnishings and a personal or  family computer damaged by the disaster. This can also include money for books, uniforms, tools, additional computers and other items required for school or work, including self-employment.
• Child Care: Money to help you pay for increased child care expenses caused by the disaster.
• Transportation: Money to help you repair or replace a vehicle damaged by the disaster when you don’t have another vehicle you can use. 
• Moving and storage expenses: Money to help you move and store personal property from your home to prevent additional damage. 

If you have insurance, you should file a claim as soon as possible. FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses  covered by insurance. If your policy does not cover all your disaster expenses, you may be eligible for federal  assistance. 

To apply for FEMA disaster assistance, you can go online at DisasterAssistance.gov, download the FEMA App for  mobile devices, or call toll-free 800-621-3362. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned  telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service. 

For even more information about the disaster recovery operation in Minnesota visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4797.