An eastern Kentucky legal aid group is offering free clinics to help tornado survivors potentially get more aid from FEMA.
AppalReD is hosting clinics in London and Somerset next month to help victims appeal their denied claims. That involves help from legal volunteers and attorneys to draft letters to FEMA, pro bono.
Whitney Bailey is the group’s Disaster Response Project Director. She says the clinics help victims shoulder a “paperwork burden.”
“You don't have to be an attorney to draft or submit a FEMA appeal letter, but sometimes it helps just to have someone else in your corner and walk you through some of those boxes that FEMA needs checked off.”
Bailey says it’s best to call and schedule a meeting ahead of time, and prepare any documents that might be needed.
“Everyone's circumstances vary a little bit, and there are numerous types of FEMA disaster assistance, so that's why understanding their situation beforehand is really helpful for us.”
One is scheduled for London September 23, and another in Somerset September 24. Those eligible can register in advance by calling 844-478-0099. More information is available here.
