The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has obligated more than $36 million in disaster assistance to Tennesseans affected by January’s severe winter storm, according to the Tennessee Lookout. Since President Donald Trump approved individual assistance on April 11, FEMA has approved more than 16,000 applications, including $7.9 million in housing assistance and $28.6 million in other aid for disaster-related expenses. The storm caused widespread damage across the state, leaving more than 300,000 utility customers without power and damaging thousands of trees. Assistance remains available to eligible residents in 29 Tennessee counties through FEMA’s individual assistance program.

The window will soon close for Tennesseans to apply for FEMA aid in the wake of the January ice storm. According to WPLN, the federal agency has distributed nearly $24 million among more than 10,000 applicants so far. The money reimburses people for disaster-related expenses, including temporary lodging and home repairs. It can also go toward medical bills and transportation related to storm injuries. This level of assistance was approved by the president in April and is open to people in 29 counties. The deadline is June 10. Learn more by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov.

The Tennessee Department of Revenue has announced that winter storm survivors who receive individual assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) also may be eligible for a state tax refund on certain items purchased to replace or repair damaged property. The Natural Disaster Sales Tax Refund program provides eligible residents with a refund of up to $2,500 on appliances, furniture and building supplies, according to News 5. Survivors may file a claim within one year of their FEMA decision letter. Learn more on the department’s website or access the claim form.

A story in yesterday’s issue of TBA Today announced a federal tax deadline extension for residents of Middle Tennessee counties impacted by this past winter’s storms. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) now has extended that deadline to June 8 and expanded eligibility to all counties in the state. The extension provides additional time for individuals, households and businesses to file their 2025 returns and make any required payments. Read more in the updated news release from the agency.

More than 20 Tennessee counties are getting an extension on filing their federal taxes, according to an announcement from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Individuals, households and businesses in most of Middle Tennessee’s counties now have until May 22 to file their 2025 tax returns and scheduled payments. The extension was granted as part of federal disaster relief for the winter storm that impacted those areas in late January. No action is required to take advantage of the extended deadline. The IRS says that it automatically identifies taxpayers in those areas and “applies filing and payment relief.” View the IRS announcement for the full list of counties.

Tennessee will receive a higher level of disaster relief for Winter Storm Fern, with individual cash assistance approved for 29 counties, WPLN reports. Storm survivors in Benton, Carroll, Cheatham, Chester, Clay, Davidson, Decatur, Dickson, Dyer, Fayette, Hardeman, Hardin, Henderson, Hickman, Lewis, Macon, Madison, Maury, McNairy, Montgomery, Perry, Robertson, Rutherford, Shelby, Sumner, Trousdale, Wayne, Williamson and Wilson counties now can apply for aid. Assistance may be used for disaster-related expenses such as temporary housing, home repairs, replacement of belongings and other needs. Applications are available at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362.

Tennessee lawmakers on Tuesday approved a $100 million state disaster fund intended to provide assistance to local governments and individuals when Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) aid falls short, Fox 43, reports. The bill, SB2232/HB2543, now heads to Gov. Bill Lee’s desk. The measure would establish the Governor’s Response and Recovery Fund. The fund, administered by the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, would provide grants and low- or no-interest loans for eligible recovery costs. Bill sponsor Rep. Tim Hicks, R-Gray, said the fund is intended to address smaller-scale disasters that do not meet Federal Emergency Management Agency thresholds. The legislation also outlines eligibility requirements for local governments and individuals, including proof of need and residency. Lawmakers raised questions about whether the funding will be sufficient and debated provisions such as the lawful residency requirement for aid, but the bill ultimately passed with broad support in both chambers. The governor proposed the fund in March.

The state Department of Revenue on Monday extended the deadlines for franchise and excise tax filing to May 22 for businesses located in counties that were designated federal disaster areas as a result of January’s winter storm Fern. Those include Davidson, Williamson, Wilson, Cheatham and more. Those affected will have additional time to file returns and make payments that were due beginning with Jan. 22. Due dates after May 22 will not be altered or extended. Read more in a press release or official notice from the department.

Carter County continues to receive state and federal funding to support ongoing recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene, the Elizabethton Star reports. The county expects to receive $675,100 this week from the State Helene Interest Payment Fund, part of a grant program designed to offset interest costs on bonds issued for road and bridge repairs. The county previously received $398,557 to cover administrative costs related to the bond. Last week, the county also received its third reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, bringing total FEMA reimbursements to $1,726,286. Officials said the funds have primarily supported engineering work and temporary bridge installations in the Poga community. As recovery efforts continue, future reimbursement requests are expected to focus more on permanent road repairs.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has expanded public assistance eligibility for impacts from Winter Storm Fern to more than 20 additional counties, including Shelby County, the Commercial Appeal reports. The program provides grant funding to eligible applicants to support emergency response, debris removal and the repair or restoration of damaged public infrastructure. U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Memphis, called the funding “essential” to help the county recover from the storm’s effects, which he said caused “extensive damages,” in a Feb. 9 letter to Gov. Bill Lee.