FEMA Grants Deadline Extension for Disaster Benefits

Flood victims will have an extra 30 days to file for disaster assistance from the federal government. A deadline extension was granted Friday.

The deadlines to file a proof-of-loss statement and to apply for individual assistance for May’s flooding have been extended to August 5th. That’s also when loan applications are now due to the Small Business Administration.

Officials are encouraging flood victims to apply for an SBA loan even if they aren’t interested in borrowing money. A denial could open other financial assistance opportunities.

Already, the SBA has approved nearly $89 million in low-interest disaster loans to Tennesseans. FEMA has okayed more than $140 million in grants to individuals. So far nearly 64,000 Tennesseans have applied.