UNION CITY, MI (WTVB) – Residents of Branch, Cass, and St. Joseph counties face a final deadline of this Friday August 28, to secure federal relief after being denied direct Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) individual assistance grants earlier this month.
Following the devastating March 6 tornadoes, which claimed four lives and caused widespread destruction, FEMA upheld its initial denial on August 6, stating the damage did not exceed state capabilities.
However, tornado victims still have a path to funding through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), which is providing low-interest disaster loans to cover home repairs, personal property loss, and debris removal.
While the formal application deadline passed on June 29, a standard 60-day grace period means affected homeowners, renters, and business owners have approximately two weeks left to file an application and secure aid.
State emergency officials are urging all impacted individuals to act quickly before this final window closes.
To accommodate those seeking assistance, state and local partners are actively routing residents to regional resources—including a nearby recovery center in Allegan County—and collaborating with community groups like After the Storm and local United Way chapters for direct case management.
Applying for an SBA loan carries no fees and individuals are under no obligation to accept the loan if approved.
Because these loans remain the final form of federal assistance available for the March disaster, emergency personnel stress that submitting an application now is vital to ensuring long-term financial recovery for Southwest Michigan families.
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