FEMA now accepting applications for first-come, first-served flood aid, deadline set for November 12

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The day thousands of flood victims have been waiting for is here: applications for federal disaster aid are now open.

FEMA's website went live Friday, September 12, meaning people can get one step closer to recouping the costs of the damage they suffered last month.

People have two months to apply. The deadline is November 12.

And local leaders say don't wait: the funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The quickest way to apply is at disasterassistance.gov, where the website will take people through several steps.

People living in Milwaukee, Washington, and Waukesha counties at the time of the storms can now apply for aid money.

In addition to basic contact information, people should have the following ready:

• A general list of damage and losses
• Annual household income
• Banking information if you choose direct deposit
• And insurance information if you have it

Federal aid will cover a lot of needs, like:

• Temporary housing
• Home repairs
• Damaged furnace, water heater, etc
• Vehicle repairs
• Moving costs
• Childcare costs
• Lost personal property

But only if those losses are uninsured.

But by law, FEMA cannot provide assistance for needs that have been met by insurance or other programs.

Because of that, the first step people should have taken -and should still take if they haven't already- is to contact their insurance providers to file a claim.

Over the past several weeks, damage assessors from the local, state, and federal levels have surveyed thousands of homes.

But it's important to know that any previous damage assessments, and any previous reports to 211, are not aid applications. People must now apply separately for FEMA aid.

And online is not the only way to apply. In the coming days, FEMA and the state will return to the affected areas to set up resource centers. There they will offer one-on-one support.

The state estimated there was $33 million suffered in individual damage, but the President approved less than that at $29.8 million.

And since the aid is available on a first-come, first-served basis, there are concerns some people will be left out.

We have not yet had a chance to ask questions directly of FEMA, but we will continue to pursue answers about the process.