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HELENA- FEMA approved Montana's request for flood assistance for 16 counties, including Missoula County, and three Indian reservations.

Disaster assistance is now available to people and businesses in ¬the following counties and tribes: Big Horn, Blackfeet Reservation, Carbon, Cascade, Crow Reservation, Custer, Fergus, Fort Belknap Reservation, Garfield, Hill, Jefferson, Judith Basin, Lewis and Clark, Missoula, Musselshell, Petroleum, Sweet Grass, Valley and Yellowstone for damages caused by flooding that began on April 4.

Governor Brian Schweitzer submitted the request for FEMA's Individual Assistance program. It includes a wide range of aid, including emergency home repair, temporary disaster housing, replacement grants for serious disaster-related needs and expenses not covered by insurance or assistance programs. For those insured, the government may help pay for basic needs not covered by insurance.

For assistance, call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585. The toll-free line will be in operation from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. (MDT) until further notice. Residents must register with FEMA at the above numbers or online to be eligible for all forms of federal assistance. Filing damage reports with state or county emergency managers or voluntary agencies will not start the federal disaster assistance process.

Officials advise applicants to have the following information available when applying for assistance:

• Current telephone number;
• Address at the time of the disaster and current address;
• Social Security number, if available;
• A general list of damages and losses suffered;
• In cases where the applicant is insured, the names of the company and agent, as well as the policy number;
• Bank account coding for those who wish to speed up assistance by using direct deposit.