President Bush has approved a request for an additional 27 Missouri counties to be added to the federal disaster declaration for Individual Assistance. That bring to 36 the number of counties eligible for this type of aid. The Individual Assistance declaration helps renters, homeowners and businesses apply for federal assistance to recover from the tornadoes and severe thunderstorms that slammed into Missouri almost two weeks ago. The assistance comes in the form of low-interest loans or provides disaster grants to families and individuals with uninsured or underinsured losses for personal property. Anyone in these counties who has suffered damages is advised to contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency at 1-800-621-FEMA.