Renters in Rhode Island counties approved for FEMA Individual Assistance who had losses from the severe storms and flooding that took place December 17-21, 2023 and January 9-13, 2024 can apply for federal disaster assistance.
The counties approved are Kent, Providence and Washington.
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 one-month or two-month period and can be reviewed for further assistance.
Renters may also qualify for a grant under FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance program for uninsured essential personal property losses and other disaster-related expenses. These may include:
- Replacement or repair of necessary personal property, such as clothing, textbooks, or school supplies as well as furniture or appliances you purchased. FEMA will not cover furniture or appliances that are provided by the landlord.
- Replacement or repair of tools and other job-related equipment required by the self-employed.
- Primary vehicles.
- Uninsured or out-of-pocket medical, dental, childcare, moving and storage expenses.
To apply for FEMA disaster assistance, go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA app for smartphones or call 800-621-3362. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. Lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week.
For the latest information, visit fema.gov/disaster/4765 and fema.gov/disaster/4766. 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.