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Residents of eight Georgia counties may be eligible for continued rental assistance from FEMA due to damage from the Jan. 12 storms.

Residents of Butts, Henry, Jasper, Meriwether, Newton, Pike, Spalding or Troup County who have received initial FEMA rental assistance may be eligible for continued rental assistance.

Tornado survivors impacted by the storm may qualify for continued rental assistance while they seek more permanent housing, but they will need to demonstrate storm-related financial need and show that they are developing a long-term or permanent housing plan.

Those seeking continued rental assistance will need to call the FEMA Helpline at (800) 621-3362. FEMA will then provide an Application for Continued Temporary Housing Assistance, through the mail.

Applicants are then required to return the completed form and all required pre-disaster and post-disaster documents.

Applicants will be asked to provide:

4 A copy of their pre-disaster rental lease or mortgage and a copy of their post-disaster current rental lease

4 Receipts showing the proper use of federal disaster housing assistance

4 Pre-disaster and post-disaster household income information

4 Any pre-disaster and post-disaster household financial obligations

Signed applications should be mailed with pre-disaster and post-disaster supporting documents to FEMA, P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055.

For those unable to enter their homes to obtain documents or if they were destroyed or lost, contact the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Duplicates of many official documents may be available through the City of LaGrange, Troup County, your bank or your utility provider.

Documents can also be uploaded at DisasterAssistance.gov

Extensions on rental assistance may be granted up to 18 months from the date of the disaster declaration.

Rental assistance is based on fair market rates as determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

For those seeing financial assistance to repair their homes or businesses, Monday, March 20 is the last day to apply for FEMA assistance. To apply visit DisasterAssistance.gov

The last day to apply for a disaster loan from the U.S. Small business administration is Friday, March 17. To apply for an SBA loan visit DisasterLoanAssistance.SBA.gov