City of Brentwood

Financial Assistance

The federal government granted a Major Disaster Declaration for Tennessee on May 8, 2021, for impacts from the severe storms and flooding from March 25, to April 3, 2021.  This means Brentwood and Williamson County residents impacted by the flooding will receive federal recovery assistance.

More information on this page.

  Apply for Disaster Assistance

FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program

FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program (IHP) provides financial and direct services to eligible individuals and households affected by a disaster, who have uninsured or under-insured necessary expenses and serious needs. IHP assistance is not a substitute for insurance and cannot compensate for all losses caused by a disaster. The assistance is intended to meet your basic needs and supplement disaster recovery efforts. 

Small Business  Loans (can help residents too)

Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are also available to Brentwood businesses and residents following the announcement of a Presidential disaster declaration due to severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding from March 25 through April 3.  The July 7th deadline to apply has passed. 

Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace disaster damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed personal property.  Interest rates are as low as 3% for businesses, 2% for nonprofit organizations and 1.25% for homeowners and renters, with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

Virtual Disaster Loan Outreach Centers 

• Open: Monday – Sunday (7 days/week)
• Hours: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. EST
• Email: FOCE-Help@sba.gov
• Phone: (800) 659-2955 

Press Release -- Physical Deadline Reminder July 7

Remote Home Inspections by FEMA 

To protect the safety and health of disaster survivors and agency personnel, FEMA is conducting remote inspections of homes reported to be severely damaged by the March 25 to April 3 severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in Tennessee’s Davidson, Williamson and Wilson counties.

Remote inspections are a new way of recording damage. They are comparable to traditional, in-person assessments.

This policy will help protect everyone’s health and safety while also ensuring that eligible disaster survivors receive assistance from FEMA.

The Remote Inspection Process

• To conduct or schedule a remote damage inspection, FEMA inspectors telephone survivors who reported when they applied for assistance that they may not be able to – or cannot – live in their damaged homes.
• Inspectors verify they have reached the right applicant by asking for the last four digits of the applicant’s FEMA registration number. The inspector provides the first four digits of the applicant’s registration ID. Applicants receive the nine-digit registration number when they complete a FEMA application.
• An inspection phone call takes about 30 minutes. The inspector will ask questions about the type and extent of the damage. In some cases, remote video inspection may occur.
• FEMA provides reasonable accommodations for applicants, including translators and American Sign Language interpreters via Video Relay Service. This ensures easy communication with those with limited English proficiency, applicants with disabilities, and individuals with access and functional needs. Users of a relay service such as a videophone, Innocaption or CapTel should give FEMA the specific number assigned to that service when they apply. If the applicant and inspector speak via Apple FaceTime or Zoom video communications, the applicant may request an interpreter through FaceTime. You can also request an interpreter and captioning through Zoom. Applicants can request inspection accommodations when they call to apply with FEMA. If necessary, after applying with FEMA, you can call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585) to add your accommodation needs.
• Applicants may ask a relative or friend to be on the call to help them communicate with the inspector.
• In some cases, the inspector will schedule an in-person inspection of a damaged home’s exterior. The applicant or co-applicant will need to meet with an inspector to provide a photo ID. The meeting will take place outdoors and the inspector will maintain a distance of at least 6 feet. No additional in-person contact will occur once the inspector has viewed the photo ID.
• Applicants who report that their home was damaged but that they can continue to live in the home will not be scheduled for a home inspection. If these applicants later discover that their homes sustained more costly damage than originally reported, they may file an appeal to FEMA requesting additional assistance. They may also then request an inspection.

Video Inspections

• Video streaming may be used for the remote inspection. This will ensure that applicants’ needs are met and it will give FEMA the ability to record disaster-caused damage.
• The inspector will initiate the video inspection process by contacting the applicant at the telephone numbers listed in the application. The inspector will ask if the applicant would like to perform the inspection via FaceTime or Zoom. FEMA inspectors are trained to help the applicant with downloading and/or signing on to Zoom, if needed. Applicants who require an accommodation to use such services should tell the inspector so that service will be available for the inspection.
• During the video streaming, the applicant will have the opportunity to show the inspector areas of concern such as the roof, windows, floor, ceiling, basements, access points, rooms, furniture and appliances. You may also point out items such as ramps and grab bars that help people with disabilities.
• In some cases, a video assessment may be combined with an exterior-only inspection.

After the Inspection

• Inspectors record damage. They do not determine an applicant’s eligibility for assistance or the amount or type of assistance that FEMA can offer.
• Based on responses from the applicant, the exterior-only inspection and/or video inspections, FEMA determines whether the applicant meets eligibility criteria to receive awards for rental assistance and home repair or replacement assistance. Each person’s situation is different, and awards are determined individually. The amount of the award for home repair depends on the type of residence and the level of damage sustained, as indicated by the inspection.

Free Legal Assistance

Low-income individuals facing legal issues as a result of these severe storms and flooding may call 1-844- HELP4TN (1-844-435-7486)

Callers should identify that they are seeking storm related legal assistance, should identify the county in which they are located, and be prepared to provide a phone number where they can be reached by an attorney. Survivors can also go online to ask questions to volunteer attorneys through the Tennessee Free Legal Answers service: https://tn.freelegalanswers.org/

Additionally, survivors can access information about their rights and resources, including links o upcoming legal clinics, FEMA information, and local resources at https://www.help4tn.org/. Examples of legal assistance available include:

1. Assistance securing government benefits as they are made available to disaster victims
2. Assistance with life, medical, and property insurance claims
3. Help with home repair contracts and contractors
4. Replacement of wills and other important legal documents lost or destroyed in the disaster
5. Consumer protection issues such as price-gouging and avoiding contractor scams in the rebuilding process
6. Counseling on mortgage-foreclosure problems
7. Counseling on landlord-tenant problems

 Full Press Release

Permits and Inspections - City of Brentwood

City Codes Inspection Request Line

(615) 661-7077 - please leave a voicemail

All permit fees related to flood damaged homes will be waived.   To find City building permit applications forms, building permit and inspection information, as well as fire department permit and inspection, plus more, please visit https://brentwood.onlama.com/

Electrical Inspections

To request an electrical inspection through the State of Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, please follow these instructions.   Since electrical permits are issued by the state, the City of Brentwood is not authorized to waive those fees. 

Tracy Barnett - State Electrical Inspector

Cell (615) 394-7081

brentwoodinspections1@gmail.com

Fire Safety Inspections

For fire safety inspections and other plans related to fire safety, please contact Brentwood Fire Marshal Jeff Pender at 615-371-0170 or jeff.pender@brentwoodtn.gov

The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) is sharing important consumer information about filing insurance claims, hiring contractors for home repairs, home safety and avoiding scams for Tennesseans who may have sustained home or auto damage from the tragic storms that swept across Tennessee.  Consumers who have questions about filing a claim or about their insurance policy can contact TDCI’s team at (615) 741-2218 or 800-342-4029. Consumers may visit this website for additional information or to file a complaint online regarding potential disputes with their insurance carrier.

Avoiding Severe Weather Contractor Scams:

While many people seek to help after severe weather — unfortunately, there is also an increased risk for scams and fraud. Watch out for:

• Upfront fees to help you claim services, benefits or get loans. No federal or state government agency charges application fees for services or benefits.
• Con artists posing as government employees, insurance adjusters, law enforcement officials, or bank employees. Confirm credentials by calling the agencies if necessary.
• Organizations with names like government agencies or charities.
• Limited time offers. Don’t be pressured to decide on the spot or to sign anything without having enough time to review it.
• Fake rental listings. If the offer sounds too good to be true or the property owner can’t show you the property beforehand, it’s a bad sign.

TDCI reminds consumers of the following:

Never sign over your insurance check for rebuilding, do not pay with cash or pay the total charges before the work is complete.

• State home improvement law prohibits contractors from asking for a down payment of more than 1/3 of the total contract.
• Only conduct business with licensed insurance agents and contractors. To verify an insurance license, visit the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.