FEMA officials announced Friday that Kentucky farmers and ranchers with tools or equipment damaged by the May 21-27 severe storms and tornadoes may qualify for disaster assistance. FEMA offers assistance is available to replace disaster-damaged essential tools, supplies, equipment and items necessary for employment or self-employment.
These include but are not limited to, tractors, plows, seeders or planters, harvesters, sprayers, hay balers and utility vehicles. FEMA officials say disaster assistance may cover these items damaged by the disaster if no other working replacements exist and the loss isn’t insured. Officials note that crops and livestock are not considered tools or equipment because they are the products of a farming operation, whereas tools and equipment are the means of production.
According to FEMA, ranch hands may qualify for assistance to replace uninsured, disaster-damaged tools and equipment required by their employer. This includes essential items for their trade or profession not provided or supplied by the employer.
Assistance for uninsured or underinsured occupational tools is capped at the maximum amount of Other Needs Assistance an applicant may receive. Additional help may be available from the Small Business Administration and U.S. Department of Agriculture.
To apply for FEMA individual assistance visit a Disaster Recovery Center, call FEMA at 800-621-3362, apply at DisasterAssistance.gov, or download and use the FEMA app. FEMA programs are accessible to people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs.
