Take Action Today and Be Prepared Tomorrow

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. –National Preparedness Month is here and FEMA Region III encourages everyone to take action to prepare. Beginning this month, FEMA Region III will use social media to promote a new preparedness campaign around hashtag “Throwback Thursday,” but with a preparedness focus (#tbtPrep). Region III will use this hashtag to focus on past regional and national disasters to help inform and guide preparedness actions so individuals and communities are better prepared. FEMA Region III will also push “Take Action Tuesday” (#TakeActionTue) messages, which will emphasize meaningful actions to build preparedness and reduce our risk to disasters.  Thursdays we remember.  Tuesdays we take action.

This social media campaign will ensure a constant drum beat of preparedness, providing everyone with the necessary tools.  FEMA Region III encourages the public, private businesses, organizations and individuals to use both hashtags to promote preparedness and guide meaningful actions to reduce individual and community risk.

Each of us can make a difference and promote preparedness. “By remembering past disasters and taking active steps to prepare today, we can reduce the impact that future disasters will have on all of us,” stated FEMA Region III Regional Administrator MaryAnn Tierney.

To take part, follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion3 and share preparedness information with your followers, family, and communities. For additional information on preparedness and to get involved, please visit FEMA.gov, Ready.gov, and America’s PrepareAthon!.

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Take Action Today and Be Prepared Tomorrow

Debris Removal

Main Content

Appeal Brief | Appeal Letter | Appeal Analysis | Back

Second Appeal Brief

FEMA-1539
PA ID# 117-38425-00; City of Lake Mary
PW ID# 192 and 7156; Debris Removal
08/31/2015

Conclusion: The City of Lake Mary (Applicant) did not file its appeal within the 60-day regulatory timeframe as required by 44 C.F.R. § 206.206(c). Timeliness aside, the Applicant has not demonstrated, pursuant to 44 C.F.R. §§ 206.223(a)(3) and 206.224(a)-(b) and eligibility requirements within FEMA Disaster-Specific Guidance #8, Debris Removal from Roadways in Private or Gated Communities and the PA Guide, that work performed to remove disaster-related debris from private roads was eligible under the Public Assistance Program. 

Summary Paragraph

FEMA prepared Project Worksheets (PWs) 192 and 7156 to document contract work to remove, reduce and dispose of debris deposited by Hurricane Charley throughout the City of Lake Mary (City).  FEMA deducted $102,366.80 in costs from PW 192 on the basis that the Applicant failed to demonstrate legal responsibility for 5,118.34 cubic yards of debris removed from private property.  The Applicant appealed FEMA’s deobligation and asserted that the provisions of its solid waste ordinance require the City to provide waste removal services at prescribed rates to all residents, and as a result, endow it, solely, with legal responsibility for the removal of all waste, including disaster-generated debris from private property.  Moreover, the Applicant contended that previous FEMA second appeal determinations validated using a local government’s solid waste ordinance as a means to establish legal responsibility for disaster-debris removed from private property.  The FEMA Region IV Regional Administrator denied the appeal, concluding that (1) the Applicant did not submit its appeal within the 60-day period pursuant to 44 C.F.R. § 206.206(c), and (2) a service agreement providing for routine yet limited, waste removal does not convey legal responsibility for private property debris removal.

Authorities and Second Appeals

  • Stafford Act § 423.

  • 44 C

  • 44 C.F.R. § 206.223(a)(3).

  • 44 C.F.R. § 206.224(a)-(b).

  • FEMA Debris Removal from Roadways in Private or Gated Communities

  • PA Guide, at 46.

     

Headnotes

  • Stafford Act § 423 and 44 C.F.R.

    § 206.206(c) provide statutory and regulatory timeframes for submitting appeals.

  • The Applicant did not submit its appeals within the 60-day timeframe.

  • According to 44 C.F.R. § 206.223(a)(3) and FEMA Disaster-Specific Guidance #8, Debris Removal from Roadways in Private or Gated Communities, an eligible applicant must be legally responsible for removing debris from private roads.

  • The Applicant did not sufficiently establish that it was legally responsible for removing debris from private roads.

  • Pursuant to44 C.F.R. § 206.224(a)-(b) and Disaster-Specific Guidance #8, Debris Removal from Roadways in Private or Gated Communities and the PA Guide, FEMA may reimburse costs associated with debris removal when it is necessary to eliminate an immediate threat provided that the Federal government is held harmless and indemnified from claims resulting from the work performed.

    • The Applicant did not establish that the debris on private roads was removed to serve the community at large in eliminating an immediate threat to lives, public health and safety.

    • The Applicant failed to provide written hold harmless and indemnification information as required by Disaster-Specific Guidance #8, Debris Removal from Roadways in Private or Gated Communities and the PA Guide.

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Debris Removal

National Preparedness Month Kicks Off on September 1

Washington  – Disasters like floods, hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes, and earthquakes are a harsh and frequent reality for much of the country. According to a recent survey conducted by FEMA, progress has been made; however, fewer than half of Americans have discussed and developed an emergency plan with their household.

Today, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Ad Council launched a new series of public service announcements (PSAs) to encourage families to develop an emergency communication plan before a disaster occurs. An extension of the national Ready campaign, the new PSAs launch in conjunction with the 12th annual National Preparedness Month, serving as a reminder to take action to prepare for the types of hazards that could impact where you live, work, and vacation.

“The last thing you want to be worried about during a disaster is how to communicate with your family members,” said Administrator Craig Fugate. “Have that conversation today. It doesn’t cost a thing.”

The new campaign includes English and Spanish-language TV, radio, outdoor, print and digital PSAs. Created pro bono by Chicago-based advertising agency Schafer Condon Carter, the PSAs illustrate the importance of having a family plan in the event of an emergency by showing real emergency moments and asking the question, “when is the right time to prepare?”  The viewer is encouraged to develop a family emergency communication plan through the clear message, “Don’t wait. Communicate.” The PSAs direct audiences to Ready.gov/communicate for tools and resources to help develop and practice a family emergency communication plan.

“Through the Ready campaign, we’ve made a lot of progress educating and empowering Americans to prepare for all types of emergencies but there are still so many families that don’t have a plan, said Lisa Sherman, President and CEO of the Ad Council. “Having these conversations is really important and can have a big impact on our families’ safety in the event of a disaster.”

“SCC is honored to work with the Ad Council and FEMA on the Ready campaign,” said David Selby, President and Managing Partner of SCC. “This new campaign provides powerful imagery and a critically important call-to-action that we hope will cause individuals and families to pay attention, lean in and, ultimately, take action.”

Localized television and radio PSAs were created and will be available for 27 states, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Washington D.C., and New York City as part of an ongoing collaboration with state and local emergency management partners. These PSAs drive audiences to their local organization’s website for resources and information pertinent to their area.

As an extension of the national Ready campaign, versions of the PSAs were created for Ready New York, a local initiative that was launched in partnership with the New York City Office of Emergency Management in 2009. Tailoring the message to the unique challenges faced by people living in New York City, audiences are directed to call 311 or visit NYC.gov/readyny, where they can find preparedness resources, including 11 Ready New York guides in 13 languages and audio format.

Managed and sponsored by the Ready campaign, National Preparedness Month is designed to raise awareness and encourage Americans to take steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, schools, organizations, businesses, and places of worship. National Preparedness Month is an opportunity to share emergency preparedness information and host activities across the country to help Americans understand what it truly means to be ready.

National Preparedness Month Weekly Themes

  • Week 1 (September 1–5)  Flood
  • Week 2 (September 6–12)  Wildfire
  • Week 3 (September 13–19)  Hurricane
  • Week 4 (September 20–26)  Power Outage
  • Week 5 (September 27–30)  Lead up to National PrepareAthon! Day, September 30

National Preparedness Month culminates with National PrepareAthon! Day on September 30 when cities and counties across the country are planning community-wide events bringing together schools, their business community, government, faith leaders, hospitals, individuals and families, and others to participate in community-wide preparedness drills and activities for hazards that are relevant to their area.

Since the launch in 2003, the Ready Campaign has received nearly $1.2 billion in donated media. The Campaign helps to generate more than 92 million unique visitors to Ready.gov. The Ad Council is distributing the new PSAs to media outlets nationwide this week, and the PSAs will run in donated time and space.

For more information visit Ready.gov/September or follow the campaign on Facebook and Twitter. For more information about National PrepareAthon! Day, visit www.ready.gov/prepare.

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National Preparedness Month Kicks Off on September 1

Three Kentucky Counties Designated for Federal Assistance After July Storms

FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Federal Emergency Management Agency has amended a recent disaster declaration for severe storms in July in order to make survivors in Breathitt, Fleming and Perry counties eligible for its Individual Assistance program.

Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can apply for assistance by registering online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362. Disaster assistance applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing should call 800-462-7585 (TTY); those who use 711 or Video Relay Service may call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time seven days a week until further notice.

On Aug. 12, President Obama declared Kentucky a major disaster. At that time, Carter, Johnson, Rowan and Trimble counties were designated for Individual Assistance.

Individual Assistance can include money for temporary housing and essential home repairs for primary homes, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

For more information on Kentucky’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov or http://kyem.ky.gov. On Facebook, go to http://www.facebook.com/KYEmergencyManagement. To receive Twitter updates: http://twitter.com/kyempio or www.twitter.com/femaregion4.

 

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Three Kentucky Counties Designated for Federal Assistance After July Storms

FEMA provides federal funds to help fight the Tepee Springs Fire

SEATTLE – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Tepee Springs Fire in Idaho County, Idaho.

FEMA Region X Regional Administrator Kenneth D. Murphy determined that the fire threatened such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. Murphy approved the state of Idaho’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) at 6:00 p.m. PDT on Aug. 29, 2015. Idaho has had four FMAGs approved since July 2015.

Two New Mexico firefighters walk up a hill to continue battling smoldering forest fires. Fire Management Assistance Grants can provide federal funds to support costs like firefighting tools and equipment, overtime compensation, mobilization and travel costs, meals, health and safety items.

Through Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAGs), federal funds are available to support firefighters battling wildfires if needed. Original photo by Andrea Booher/FEMA News Photo. Los Alamos, N.M., May 4, 2000 – “Hot Shot” members from Zuni, NM, continue their fight with smoldering forest fires.

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The fire started on August 12, 2015 and had burned in excess of 49,000 acres of federal, state, private and tribal land. At the time of the request, the fire perimeter was located 1.5 miles east of Riggins and had moved 11 miles in 12 hours. The fire was threatening 300 homes in and around the community of Riggins, Idaho. Evacuation orders were issued.

The fire also threatened roads, bridges, cell towers, radio towers, power distribution lines, water, sewer and various local businesses in the area. Also at risk are salmon, steelhead and bull trout, and big horn sheep. There were 130 other large fires burning uncontrolled within the state.

The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the state of Idaho’s eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling designated fires. These grants provide reimbursement for firefighting and life-saving efforts. They do not provide assistance to individuals, homeowners or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire.

FMAGs are provided through the President’s Disaster Relief Fund and made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible items can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; mobilization and demobilization activities; and tools, materials and supplies.

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FEMA provides federal funds to help fight the Tepee Springs Fire

Eligibility

Main Content

Appeal Brief | Appeal Letter | Appeal Analysis | Back

Second Appeal Brief

FEMA- 4031
PA ID# 043-34132-00; Town of Herkimer
PW ID# 2531; Eligibility
08/17/2015

Conclusion: The Applicant did not provide sufficient information to establish that the damage to the roadway and the retaining wall was a direct result of the declared disaster.

Summary Paragraph

After severe storms and heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Lee, the Applicant reported that high river flows in West Canada Creek damaged the East German Street Extension.  FEMA conducted a site visit and identified a 170-foot long section of the road with damage consisting of alligator cracks, stress cracks, and ground subsidence.  FEMA also noted that the adjacent retaining wall did not sustain any observable damage as the result of flooding.  Based on the field observations, FEMA found the road damage to be a result of pre-existing conditions and obligated PW 2531 for zero dollars.  In its first appeal, the Applicant claimed that the damage was a direct result of the disaster, contending that the road and the retaining wall had no history of subsidence-related damage, and requested an estimated repair cost of $140,000.  Upon review, the Regional Administrator denied the first appeal, finding that the road damage was not a direct result of the disaster. In its second appeal, the Applicant revises the funding request to a range between $500,000 and $1,000,000 and argues that all damage was a direct result of the disaster.  

Authorities and Second Appeals

  • 44 C.F.R. § 206.223(a)(1).

  • PA Guide, at 29-30.

Headnotes

  • 44 C.F.R. § 206.223(a)(1) states that an item of work must be required as the result of the emergency or disaster to be eligible for Public Assistance.The PA Guide further provides that work must be required as a direct result of the declared major disaster or emergency.

  • The damage on East German Street Extension and the adjacent retaining wall cannot be directly tied to the declared disaster.Accordingly, all the work performed to repair the damage is ineligible for Public Assistance.

  • The Applicant documented that the road failure was detected at some point after the disaster, outside of the incident period.However, the Applicant did not provide any documentation demonstrating that the damage, or its underlying cause, was absent prior to the disaster, or that the damage was a direct result of the disaster.Therefore, the work required to address the damage is ineligible.

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Eligibility

An Inside Look at a FEMA Housing Inspection Visit

SAIPAN – Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) inspectors continue to examine property damage as part of the FEMA process that brings assistance to Saipan, CNMI residents who have registered with FEMA in the wake of Typhoon Soudelor.

Applicants will receive their inspections in the order that they were received as long as the survivors are reachable when the inspector contacts them to schedule the inspection.  If their phone is not working or the inspectors cannot get a hold of them, this will delay their inspection date.  Inspectors will attempt contact by phone on at least three separate occasions and, if they are unable to reach the applicants by phone, will attempt to physically locate the damaged dwelling to see if they can contact the applicants in person.

When inspectors visit the dwelling, and if no one is there to receive the inspection, they will leave a “Sorry I Missed You” letter which includes the inspector’s contact phone number on it and a number to call if the inspection is returned after the three unsuccessful attempts. FEMA advises survivors to assist themselves in the process by ensuring they have given FEMA a working phone number where they can be reached, have their ownership/occupancy verification form ready to show to the inspectors when they arrive, and provide clear directions to their houses, or to landmarks the inspectors can work off of. Applicants should also make sure their town is included in the FEMA registration when providing the damaged dwelling’s physical address.

“Inspectors are in the field to confirm your loss,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Stephen M. DeBlasio Sr., of FEMA. “We encourage residents with property damage to register quickly with FEMA and be ready to welcome our inspectors who will help speed your claim process.”

Before an inspector is assigned to an applicant, homeowners and renters with uninsured or underinsured disaster-related damage must register with FEMA. Survivors can register by phone at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for survivors with hearing disabilities.  Online registration is also available 24/7 at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. Multilingual assistance is available.

Once applicants have registered:

  • An inspector will call to schedule an appointment to visit the damaged property.  This is necessary to confirm eligibility for FEMA assistance for disaster-related losses.  Applicants are asked to be at home when inspectors visit.
  • The inspector will evaluate the extent of damage to an applicant’s house or apartment and determine whether it is in a livable condition by checking the building and its systems. Damage to major appliances — washer, dryer, furnace, refrigerator, stove — will be assessed. Inspectors should be informed about any important losses such as clothing, medical equipment, tools needed for a trade and educational materials.
  • Homeowners and renters with private septic systems and wells should point out these facilities.  FEMA assistance may be available to repair or replace damaged systems.
  • Applicants can help speed the inspection by having documents — mortgage payment, utility receipt, lease, etc. — ready to show proof of ownership or occupancy to the inspector. Having insurance papers available if possible is also helpful.

FEMA inspectors have agency photo identification and will never charge a fee for any service.  If you suspect fraud from any inspector or other person offering assistance, report them to the nearest law enforcement agency and to the FEMA toll-free Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721.

When a FEMA Housing Inspector visits your home, someone 18 years of age or older who lived in the household prior to the disaster must be present for the scheduled appointment. The inspector will ask to see:

  • Photo identification.
  • Proof of ownership/occupancy of damaged residence (structural insurance, tax bill, mortgage payment book/utility bill).
  • Insurance documents: home and/or auto (structural insurance/auto declaration sheet).
  • List of household occupants living in residence at time of disaster.
  • All disaster-related damages to both real and personal property.

If you are unable to provide traditional proof of ownership/occupancy (such as tax bill, mortgage payment books, deed, title, insurance), you can get a signed letter by a local precinct representative to validate the physical location of a home/dwelling (a P.O. Box address is not sufficient).  Ownership/Occupancy Verification Letters can be picked up at:

  • Fire Stations
    • Kagman
    • Garapan
    • Susupe
    • San Roque
    • Koblerville
  • The Disaster Recovery Center located at the Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe
  • Shelters located at:
    • Kagman Community Center
    • Tanapag Headstart
    • Saipan Aging Center

Once filled out, please take the form to your local fire station. They will provide you with a contact number to reach your local precinct representative to validate.

If you have been displaced and need transportation to and from the housing inspection, you can contact the Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority at 670-237-8000 to schedule transportation.

Once the inspection process is complete, your case will be reviewed by FEMA and you will receive a letter or email outlining the decision about your claim. If you qualify for FEMA assistance, you will receive a check or direct deposit, and a separate letter explaining how you may use the money. Homeowners may use FEMA housing repair grants for essential repairs to make their residence safe, secure and livable. These grants are for repairs necessary to make primary rooms habitable. FEMA assistance may not make you whole again, but it can start you on the road to recovery.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

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An Inside Look at a FEMA Housing Inspection Visit

Starting your Sandy Claims Review is as Simple as Making a Call

Some policyholders have already received additional payments on their claim

It takes only a few minutes to ask the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to review a flood insurance claim filed as a result of Hurricane Sandy. And it doesn’t cost anything.

More than 11,500 policyholders of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) have entered the review process and some policyholders have already received additional payments on their claim. The deadline for requesting a review is Sept. 15, 2015.

To be eligible, flood insurance policyholders must have experienced flood damage between

Oct. 27, 2012 and Nov. 6, 2012. Policyholders can call the NFIP’s Hurricane Sandy claims center at 866-337-4262 to request a review of their claim. This review may result in additional payment to the policyholder.

It will be helpful if policyholders have a few key pieces of information when they call:

  • The name on the flood insurance policy,
  • the address of the damaged property,
  • the name of the insurance company, and
  • the policy number that was in effect at the time of the loss.

When they call, policyholders will be asked a series of questions to determine whether they qualify for review. Once qualified, policyholders will be called by an NFIP-certified adjuster, who will serve as a caseworker through the review process. The timing of the adjuster’s initial call may be affected by the volume of requests for review. Our goal is to complete most reviews within 90 days of the initial call.

 “Getting started in the Sandy Claims Review is as simple as making a call and answering a few questions,” said Roy Wright, Deputy Associate Administrator for FEMA’s Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration, which runs the NFIP. “We will review the claim file and let the policyholder know whether they are due any more money.”

Policyholders also can go online to www.fema.gov/hurricane-sandy-nfip-claims to download a form to request a review. The completed form may be e-mailed to FEMA-sandyclaimsreview@fema.dhs.gov or faxed to 202-646-7970 to start the process.  For individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability and use 711 or VRS, please call 866-337-4262.  For individuals using a TTY, please call 800-462-7585 to begin the review process.

Policyholders who have already requested their review can call 866-337-4262 if they have questions or need more information. They can also choose to drop out of the review process at any time.

The Sandy claims review process is intended to be simple for the policyholder and does not require paid legal assistance. Additionally, there are several nonprofit service providers ready to offer free advice and answer questions policyholders may have. A list of these advocacy groups can be found at www.fema.gov/hurricane-sandy-nfip-claims.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Follow FEMA online at www.twitter.com/FEMASandy,www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/fema, www.fema.gov/blog, and www.youtube.com/fema.Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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Starting your Sandy Claims Review is as Simple as Making a Call

Texans Have Every Reason to Register for Disaster Assistance

AUSTIN, Texas – Apply by Aug. 27 for assistance from FEMA or the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). You have every reason to do so. 

If you are among thousands of Texans affected by the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding that occurred from May 4 to June 22, you may be eligible for a grant or low-interest loan from the SBA. If you answer YES to any of the following questions and were affected by the disaster, you may be eligible.

  • Are you a homeowner, renter or business of any size with disaster-related damage? 

  • Did you file an insurance claim for damage and have not received your settlement? 

  • Are you uninsured or under-insured and have unmet needs?

  • Do you need help applying because English is your second language?

  • Are you a Qualified Alien or the parent of a U.S. citizen in your household?

  • Are you a person with a disability or have an access or functional need?

  • Do you receive Social Security, Medicaid food stamps and are concerned help will affect your benefits?

  • Do you need help, but feel others need it more or that there won’t be enough assistance for everyone?

  • Do you feel you will not qualify for a low-interest loan?

If you have questions or concerns about applying for disaster assistance, call the FEMA helpline before the Aug. 27 deadline. Tell your friends and neighbors that help may be available, but they must register before the deadline.

Remember, FEMA grants do not have to be repaid and you are not required to accept an SBA loan. FEMA assistance is nontaxable and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid or other federal benefits.

Find answers to questions on http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4223. Topics include rumor control, recovery information, recovery center locations and hours, links to apply for assistance and other resources, information about flood insurance, news releases, fact sheets, photographs and blogs.

You can apply for FEMA assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362 toll free from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time). Multilingual operators are available. Disaster assistance applicants who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY should call 800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

You also can visit a Disaster Recovery Center. Assistive equipment is available. To find the nearest DRC, go online to http://asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm.

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All FEMA disaster assistance will be provided without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment), religion, national origin, age, disability, limited English proficiency, economic status, or retaliation. If you believe your civil rights are being violated, call 800-621-3362 or 800-462-7585(TTY/TDD).

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. 

The SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for childcare, medical, dental expenses and/or funeral expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, those who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, transportation, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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Texans Have Every Reason to Register for Disaster Assistance

What to Expect After You Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance

SAIPAN – Over 7,500 registrations have been received by FEMA for disaster assistance as a result of damages sustained by Typhoon Soudelor (DR 4235) and nearly $4.3 Million has been approved for survivors so far.  FEMA encourages all who have been suffered damages from Typhoon Soudelor, August 1-3, to register for Disaster Assistance.

Those who have suffered losses as a result of Typhoon Soudelor but have not yet applied for assistance are encouraged to do so as soon as possible.  Survivors can register by phone at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for survivors with hearing disabilities.  Online registration is also available 24/7 at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. A Disaster Recovery Center, at Pedro P Tenorio Multi-purpose Center in Susupe is open for assistance with the application process. Normal hours of operation are Monday-Saturdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Completing and returning the loan application does not mean that you must accept the loan.

After registering for disaster assistance, applicants can expect to 1.) Have a Housing Inspection and then 2.) Receive an Approval or Denial Notification.

Housing Inspections

Registered survivors will be contacted by a FEMA inspector to schedule an appointment for an inspection, so registrants do not need to contact FEMA to set up an inspection. The wait time for an inspection is approximately two weeks.  The inspection is needed to verify and assess damages listed in your application. The inspection generally takes 30-40 minutes or less and consists of a general inspection of damaged areas of the home and a review of your records. There is no fee for the inspection.

When a FEMA housing inspector comes to visit your home, be sure they show you proper identification. All FEMA inspectors have prominent photo ID badges. If you are not shown photo identification, then do not allow the inspection. Unfortunately, disasters often bring out criminals who prey on the needs of disaster survivors – so beware of scams and scam artists.

When a FEMA Housing Inspector visits your home, someone 18 years of age or older who lived in the household prior to the disaster must be present for the scheduled appointment. The inspector will ask to see:

  • Photo identification.
  • Proof of ownership/occupancy of damaged residence (structural insurance, tax bill, mortgage payment book/utility bill).
  • Insurance documents: home and/or auto (structural insurance/auto declaration sheet).
  • List of household occupants living in residence at time of disaster.
  • All disaster-related damages to both real and personal property.

If you are unable to provide traditional proof of ownership/occupancy (such as tax bill, mortgage payment books, deed, title, insurance), you can get a signed letter by a local precinct representative to validate the physical location of a home/dwelling (a P.O. Box address is not sufficient).  Letters can be picked up at:

  • Fire Stations
    • Kagman
    • Garapan
    • Susupe
    • Koblerville

Once filled out, please take the form to your local fire station. They will provide you with a contact number to reach your local precinct representative to validate.

If you have been displaced and need transportation to and from the housing inspection, you can contact the Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority at 670-237-8000 to schedule transportation.

Approval or Denial Notification Letters

Once the inspection process is complete, your case will be reviewed by FEMA and you will receive a letter or email outlining the decision about your claim.

If you qualify for a FEMA grant, FEMA will send you a check by mail or deposit it directly into your bank account. You will also receive a letter describing how you are to use the money.  You should only use the money given to you as explained in the letter and save receipts on how you spent the money.

If you do not qualify for a FEMA grant, you will receive a letter explaining why you were turned down and will be given a chance to appeal the decision*. Your appeal rights will be described in this letter. Appeals must be in writing and mailed within 60 days of FEMA’s decision.

If you’re referred to the Small Business Administration, you will receive a SBA application. The application must be completed and returned in order to be considered for a loan or for additional FEMA grant assistance. SBA representatives are available to help you with the application at local Disaster Recovery Center.

*An appeal is a written request to review your file again with additional information you provide that may affect the decision.  You may appeal any decision provided by FEMA regarding your Individual Assistance.

Appeals may relate to your initial eligibility decisions, the amount or type of assistance provided to you, late applications, requests to return money, or a denial of Continued Temporary Housing Assistance.  Prior to requesting an appeal review, you should review your file with a FEMA helpline agent at 1-800-621-3362 (FEMA), or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585, or request a copy of your file from FEMA so you can understand why you received the decision you want to appeal.

To appeal the decision:

  • Explain in writing why you think the decision about the amount or type of assistance you received is not correct. You, or someone who represents you or your household, should sign the letter and have it notarized. If the person writing the letter is not a member of your household, there must be a signed statement saying that that person may act for you.
  • Include the FEMA registration number and disaster number (shown at the top of your decision letter) in your letter of appeal.  You should also include the last four digits of your social security number, your full name, your address, and your date and place of birth.
  • You may also want to include a copy of a government-issued identification card or include the following statement “I hereby declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct”.
  • If you have supporting documentation for your appeal, include that in your correspondence to FEMA.
  • Mail your appeal letter to:

FEMA – Individuals & Households Program
National Processing Service Center
P.O. Box 10055
Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055

or you can fax you appeal letter to:

(800) 827-8112
Attention: FEMA – Individuals & Households Program.

IMPORTANT: To be considered, your appeal letter must be postmarked within 60 days of the date of the decision letter’s date. Remember to date your letters.

  • All appeals are reviewed.
  • Decisions usually are made within 30 days of receiving the request. 
  • Additional information may be requested from you if FEMA does not have enough information to make a decision.
  • You will be notified by mail of the response to your appeal.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from and mitigate all hazards.

Read original article:

What to Expect After You Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance

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