SIKESTON — Following last week's federal disaster declaration for multiple severe weather systems that impacted Missouri from May 19 through 27, the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) will conduct applicant briefings Monday, July 29, in Sikeston and Tuesday, July 30, in Poplar Bluff for local governments and not-for-profit agencies applying for Public Assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Locally, applicant briefings will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday at Sikeston Department of Public Safety, 201 S. Kingshighway, in Sikeston and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at Ozark Foothills Regional Planning Commission, 3019 Fair St., in Poplar Bluff.

SEMA is encouraging all eligible agencies in the 15 declared counties that plan to apply for assistance to attend one of the briefings, which explain program changes, eligibility information, the federal reimbursement process, documentation requirements and other essential program information.

The following counties are in the federal disaster declaration: Barry, Bollinger, Butler, Carter, Howell, McDonald, Madison, New Madrid, Oregon, Reynolds, Ripley, Scott, Shannon, Stoddard and Texas.

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 no-for-profits 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 Tuesday, July 23, disaster declaration date, which will be Thursday, Aug. 22. RPAs must first be received and processed by SEMA before being submitted to FEMA by the August 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. In order 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 not-for-profits in the declared counties that incurred disaster-related expenses should attend, including those that are unsure of their eligibility status.

SEMA is encouraging public officials and community leaders in the affected areas to share this information with all potential applicants to ensure they have an opportunity to attend a briefing and submit an RPA.

For those who are unable to attend a briefing, a recorded video and other important information will be available online at www.sema.dps.mo.gov/programs/state_public_assistance.php (video will be located under DR-4308 tab). For questions about the applicant briefings or Public Assistance program, call (573) 526-9378.

For additional resources and information about disaster recovery in Missouri, visit https://recovery.mo.gov.