For those affected by the tornadoes, 4th District State Representative Lynn Bechler has shared information for the application process to request funds from the West Kentucky State Aid Funding for Emergencies (SAFE) Fund.
The application requirements for Kentucky regions that qualify to receive funds must be located in the areas named in a Presidential Declaration of Emergency relating to the storms and tornadoes that occurred in December 2021, and have disaster-related needs in response to the storms and tornadoes in December 2021. Eligible applicants include city, county, urban-county government, consolidated local government, unified local government, or charter county government; non-profit or public utility service provider; state agency; or school district.
According to Bechler, requirements to access dollars from the fund include:
– Where applicable, the applicant must timely apply for federal emergency disaster grant assistance, other financial disaster assistance, and insurance proceeds, if available.
– Applicant must adhere to the terms of the fund regarding reimbursement to the Commonwealth if funds from other sources are subsequently received after the receipt of financial assistance from the state.
– If a recipient of money from the fund subsequently receives money from any other source, the recipient shall reimburse the Commonwealth for the amount of the money received from the fund.
– All money reimbursed to the Commonwealth shall be deposited in the general fund within thirty (30) days.
– Application may be completed by the Eligible Applicant’s designated Emergency Contact with the approval and signature of the Chief Local Government Official of the applicant, or the head of a nonprofit or public utility service provider.
He says the money in the fund is allocated as a forgivable loan or a grant. He notes the Department of Military Affairs, Division of Emergency Management will ensure eligibility is determined which includes all requests must be for disaster-related expenses only.
The application needs to be submitted to Kentucky Division of Emergency Management, 100 Minuteman Parkway, Frankfort, KY 40601
For any questions, email pa.help@ky-em.org.
