Following the recent federal disaster declarations resulting from multiple severe weather systems that impacted Missouri March 14-15 (DR 4867) and March 30-April 8 (DR 4872), the State Emergency Management Agency will conduct applicant briefings for local governments and nonprofit agencies applying for public assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Texas County is part of the disaster declaration for weather that was received March 30-April 8.
SEMA strongly encourages all eligible agencies in the declared counties that plan to apply for assistance to attend one of the briefings. SEMA Public Assistance team members will explain assistance eligibility, program changes, the federal reimbursement process, documentation requirements and other essential program information.
The meetings in this area, announced on Tuesday evening, are Wednesday, June 4: 8:30-12:30 p.m., Phelps County Sheriff’s Department; and 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Douglas County Courthouse and Howell County Emergency Operations Center.
Applicant briefings are not for the general public. The briefings are for FEMA’s Public Assistance program only, which provides financial assistance to local governments and qualifying nonprofits for the repair of damaged roads, bridges and other public infrastructure as well as reimbursement of associated emergency response and recovery costs.
All Requests for Public Assistance (RPAs) must be submitted to FEMA within 30 days of the May 21, 2025, disaster declaration date, or June 20. RPAs must first be received and processed by SEMA before being submitted to FEMA by the June 20 deadline, so applicants should plan accordingly.
An authorized representative for each potential applicant should attend one of the briefings in order to register for assistance. In-person applicant briefings can last up to four hours and provide an opportunity to meet with FEMA personnel, begin the required paperwork and ask questions. To register in a timely manner, attendees should bring their organization’s Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and federal Employer Identification Number (EIN).
Any government agency — including special districts such as road, water, or sewer districts — or nonprofits in the declared counties that incurred disaster-related expenses should attend, including those that are unsure of their eligibility status.
For those who are unable to attend a briefing, a recorded video and other important information will be available online at sema.dps.mo.gov/programs/state_public_assistance.php (video will be located under the DR tabs). For questions about applicant briefings or the Public Assistance program, please call 573-526-9378.