Federal and State Joint Disaster Recovery Centers to 
Open in NEA for Tornado Survivors:

Survivors can meet face to face with specialists from FEMA, the Small Business Administration (SBA), and state and local agencies to have their questions about disaster assistance answered. They may also upload any documents needed for their applications at the centers. 
 
The following locations will open this week:
 
Parkview Missionary Baptist Church
104 N. Parkview Dr.
Trumann, AR 72472
Hours of operation after opening day: Mondays through Saturdays 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Craighead County
First Baptist Church of Monette
18847 Highway 18
Monette, AR 72447
Hours of operation after opening day: Mondays through Saturdays 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Jackson County
Diaz City Hall
3401 S. Main St.
Newport, AR 72112
Hours of operation after opening day: Thursdays and Fridays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Residents of Craighead, Jackson, Mississippi, Poinsett, and Woodruff counties may visit any open disaster recovery center in Arkansas. For the latest information visit fema.gov/disaster/4633. 
 
To see the complete list of types of assistance available, please go to: https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/types-assistance-available-survivors-storms-and-tornadoes

Disaster Food Assistance (D-SNAP) Relief for Parts of
Craighead, Jackson, Mississippi, Poinsett, and Woodruff Counties:
 
The following cities and zip codes are eligible to receive SNAP Disaster Assistance under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, authorized by the Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service as a result of the December 10-11, 2021 tornado. 
  • Augusta (72006)
  • Leachville (72438)
  • Monette (72447)
  • Trumann (72472)
  • Tupelo (72169) 

Anyone that resided or worked within one of these zip code areas that suffered disaster losses during this tornado may be eligible to receive D-SNAP assistance. D-SNAP extends benefits to many households that would not ordinarily qualify but suddenly need food assistance because of a disaster. D-SNAP benefits are provided via an electronic debit-like card and can be used to purchase food items at authorized retailers. 

Residents from these zip code areas who experienced at least one of the following conditions as a direct result of the December 10-11 tornado may be eligible:
 
  • Damage to or destruction of their home or self-employment business
  • Loss or inaccessibility of income including a reduction or termination of income, or a significant delay in receiving income due to disaster-related problems
  • Disaster-related expenses (home or business repairs, temporary shelter, evacuation, etc.) that are not expected to be reimbursed during the disaster benefit period
 
Residents seeking D-SNAP may apply from 7 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. beginning Wednesday, February 2 - Friday, February 4, 2022 and Monday, February 7 - Thursday, February 10, 2022. If you are having difficulty, you may call the local county office at the numbers listed below. 

  • NOTE: Individuals must have lived or worked in the disaster area at the time of the tornado and must have suffered loss or damages.

D-SNAP applications may be taken at the following locations: 
 
  • The Craighead County DHS Office located at 1600 Browns Lane Access Rd., Jonesboro, AR 72403 – 870-972-1732
  • The Jackson County DHS Office located at 1422 Hwy. 367N, Newport, AR 72112 – 870-523-9828
  • The Mississippi County DHS Office located at 1104 Byrum Rd., Blytheville, AR 72315 – 870-763-7093
  • The Poinsett County DHS Office located at 406 N. Illinois, Harrisburg, AR 72432 – 870-578-5491
  • The Woodruff County DHS Office located at 1200 Hwy. 33 North, Augusta, AR 72006 – 870-347-2537
 
Tax Filing Information:

Tax filing season began on Monday. The IRS has tips it says taxpayers should remember before submitting their returns if they want to avoid lengthy delays, especially for those anticipating a refund such as the remainder of the child tax credit. The IRS Commissioner has emphasized the importance of avoiding a paper tax return to avert processing delays. He urged taxpayers to file their returns electronically and to get their refunds by direct deposit. 
 
Taxpayers who had a child join their family in 2021 could be in for an additional $5,000 from the IRS via the Economic Impact Payments and the child tax credit. Those payments were automatically sent to people in 2021 based on previous tax returns. But if a family added a child, they would have no reason to report it to the IRS until it was time to file taxes. That means they may not have received any of the monthly child tax credit payments they were eligible for, nor the $1,400 stimulus payment for dependents. 
 
Those who made $73,000 or less in 2021 can use any of the IRS Free File tools to file their taxes electronically. The deadline for tax returns to be filed or for requesting an extension is Monday, April 18 this year, three days later than the normal April 15 deadline for filing taxes.
 
For more information, go to irs.gov.