Assistance Resources

What to do if you have emergency unmet needs following a disaster

If you are affected by a natural disaster, in the days following the disaster and throughout the recovery period, it is important to monitor news reports and other media sources for information about where to get emergency housing, food, first aid, clothing, and financial assistance. Missourians who are affected should continue to listen to instructions from their local leaders on seeking assistance.

Direct assistance to individuals and families may come from any number of organizations, including:

If, after a request for preliminary disaster assessments by the Governor, the federal government, working with state and local officials, determines that the disaster’s impact is beyond the capabilities and resources of local and state governments, and volunteer organizations, a federal major disaster declaration may be declared. Following a major disaster declaration, federal assistance may come in the form of “Public Assistance” and/or “Individual Assistance.”

Contact a Local Emergency Management Agency

Your county or municipal emergency management director is the best source of information on local conditions and programs, along with assistance that may be available due to a recent federal disaster declaration.

Choose a county

Individual Assistance following a disaster

DisasterAssistance.gov provides information on how you might be able to get help from the federal government after a disaster strikes . If the President makes help available to individuals in your community after a disaster, you can visit this site to apply online. Learn more »

FEMA’s Individual Assistance program provides money or direct assistance to qualifying individuals, families and businesses in an area whose property has been damaged or destroyed and whose losses are not covered by insurance. It is meant to help those who qualify with critical expenses that cannot be covered in other ways. The assistance is not intended to restore damaged property to its condition before the disaster.

While some housing assistance funds are available through FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program, most disaster assistance from the federal government is in the form of loans administered by the Small Business Administration.

Assistance Programs may include: low- interest loans, Individual and Family Grant (IFG) Program, veterans benefits, temporary housing assistance, tax refunds, excise tax relief, unemployment benefits, free legal counseling, and crisis counseling. To access FEMA's information about federal government assistance after disasters, click on the "Learn more" link at right.

Individual Assistance - Resources by Topic

Low Interest Loans to Property Owners --

General Assistance from Local Agencies, including housing and food --

Agriculture --

Consumer Protection --

  • Missouri Attorney General - (800) 392-8222
    The Missouri Attorney General accepts consumer complaints about disaster-related scams and price gouging. For more information about how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of fraud, visit the SEMA "Avoiding Scams & Fraud" page.

Debris and Historic Buildings --

Elderly, Mental Health, and Disabilities --

Employment --

Insurance --

Taxes --

Public Assistance following a disaster

FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) Grant Program provides assistance to state and local governments, and certain types of private non-profit organizations, so that communities can recover from major disasters or emergencies. View SEMA's Public Assistance Program page for more information »

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