One of my most important jobs as a U.S. Senator is assisting Kentuckians in their times of need, especially in the wake of a natural disaster. Over the past few years, Kentucky has unfortunately endured several of those, including deadly tornados and flash floods. These disasters have left behind significant damage and displaced thousands throughout the Commonwealth. 

While my office is on the ground in person and coordinating assistance with federal agencies on behalf of affected Kentuckians within hours of when these disasters strike, there are still significant issues standing in the way of these disaster survivors receiving immediate assistance.I have personally heard countless stories from individuals across Kentucky that have experienced challenges in applying for and receiving critical funds and relief.

From citizens in Mayfield after the tornados and Whitesburg after the floods, we learned that victims had difficulty getting assistance from the federal government. Those seeking federal aid to recover from a disaster must navigate a maze of different agencies and programs, each with its own set of complicated requirements and application steps – a process that can take weeks or even months. Especially for our rural communities, these processes can be near impossible to complete and can be difficult to access. 

Just ask any Kentuckian who has experienced devastating loss from the tornados or flooding over the past few years. The federal government’s burdensome bureaucracy is the absolute last thing they want to be dealing with while navigating an incredibly vulnerable time in their life and trying to recover and rebuild. 

The good news is I have a solution – and there is bipartisan support for it. As part of my commitment to always put Kentuckians first, this week I reintroduced the Disaster Assistance Simplification Act, which will reduce the burden on disaster survivors by ensuring the process of receiving aid is simple and speedy. The legislation would require the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish a centralized, universal application across federal agencies for disaster survivors who are seeking federal assistance to recover from hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and other natural disasters. 

As Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, I look forward to working with a bipartisan coalition to get this important legislation passed expeditiously. 

In the meantime, Kentuckians should know that my office always stands ready and available to assist with federal agencies, especially in times of disaster and recovery. 

For example, recently, a journalist for Louisville Public Media connected my office with two Kentuckians from Hindman who had been denied their appeal for additional assistance from FEMA following the July 2022 flooding. Thanks to this referral, my office staff contacted FEMA on their behalf and was notified just over a month later that FEMA had re-reviewed the appeal and awarded additional funds for further repairs.

While I cannot always promise a favorable result, my commitment to every Kentuckian stands strong. If you need help with any federal agency, you can contact us at www.paul.senate.gov or 270-782-8303.

You can read the full op-ed HERE