Tornado recovery resource guide

Oct. 6--The following resources are available for people affected by the Memorial Day tornadoes. Information comes from the Miami Valley Long Term Recovery Operations group, government sources and Dayton Daily News reporting. To suggest additional resources for this guide, email Josh.Sweigart@cmg.com.

United Way HelpLink

The United Way has partnered with the Miami Valley Long Term Recovery Operations group to create a front door for people needing assistance from the tornadoes, including housing assistance.

Call 211 on Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to be connected to a tornado assistance operator who will screen you to assess your needs, and can connect you to a case manager to help you navigate available resources. If 211 is not available in your area, call 937-225-3000 or the toll-free number 855-405-7629.

Home reconstruction and purchase funds

Financial assistance is available from a coalition of area financial institutions and nonprofits for homeowners needing help with tornado-related damage and renters looking to build or buy a home.

Homeowners in Montgomery, Greene and Miami counties might be eligible for grants up to $20,000 to repair their primary residence through the Federal Home Loan Bank Disaster Reconstruction Program.

Renters in those counties may be eligible for $5,000 toward the purchase of a home.

Homeowners seeking repair for tornado-related damage should call 937-250-7911

Renters and affected homeowners seeking assistance for new construction or purchase can call Huntington National Bank at 513-639-3006 or KeyBank at 513-830-1261.

Mental health resources

A new website provides information and resources to Montgomery County residents impacted by the Memorial Day tornadoes and the Oregon District mass shooting.

DaytonHeals.org was created by Montgomery County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services staff to help those experiencing trauma or mental health effects from this summer's tragedies better access care.

You can also call ADAMHS at 937-443-0416 or in the case of a mental health emergency call Samaritan Behavioral Health's CrisisCare Program at 937-224-4646.

Help for veterans

The Montgomery County Veterans Service Commission has programs to help area veterans, including assistance paying insurance deductibles as a result of tornado damage.

If you are a veteran and live in Montgomery County, they can help with up to $1,000 in assistance for storm-related damages. Call 937-225-4801 or email veteransinfo@mcohio.org to schedule an appointment.

For information on assistance available to Greene County veterans, call the Greene County Veterans Service Commission at 937-562-6020.

Help for businesses and non-profits

The application deadline for businesses and nonprofit organizations with disaster-related economic loss to apply for the U.S. Small Business Administration Economic Injury Business Loan is March 18, 2020.

Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Applicants may also call SBA's Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance.

Check status of FEMA claim

The deadline has passed to apply for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. People with existing claims can contact FEMA in one of the following ways:

--Visit DisasterAssistance.gov.

--Use the FEMA smart phone app, which can be download at FEMA.gov/mobile-app.

--Call the FEMA Helpline, 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585). Phone lines are open from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m., seven days a week until further notice. Multilingual operators are on duty.

Make your needs and concerns known

The Dayton Daily News is asking those affected by the storm to fill out a survey to assess the lasting impacts of the storm, and what survivors need for short-term and long-term recovery. We want to make sure people are getting the help they need.

Find the survey on our website at DaytonDailyNews.com/tornadosurvey. Individuals needing assistance accessing or using the internet for this survey can get help at their closest Dayton Metro Library branch.

Several Facebook groups have been established to connect tornado survivors with each other and with resources. Some of the larger ones are:

--Tornado Relief #937

--Beavercreek Tornado Network

--Tornado Response and Support (Northridge)

--For the latest news on issues affecting tornado survivors, follow Dayton Daily News Investigates on Facebook and Twitter.

How to help

--Donate money: The Dayton Foundation continues to accept donations to help individuals and communities rebuild. One hundred percent of donations to the Greater Dayton Disaster Relief Fund will go to nonprofits involved in this effort.

You can make a donation on the foundation's website. If you prefer to donate by check, mail it to The Dayton Foundation, 1401 S. Main St., Suite 100, Dayton, Ohio 45409. "Greater Dayton Disaster Relief" should be designated on the check or in the fund name field.

--Donate goods: Donations of household goods can be made to St. Vincent de Paul at its Community Store, 945 S. Edwin C. Moses Blvd., or its Donation Center, 120 W. Apple St.

--Volunteer: Information on volunteering or requesting volunteer assistance can be found on the long-term recovery group's website www.mvstrong.org.

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