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Beware: Fraudsters Still Preying Upon Disaster Survivors

AURORA, IL — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) remind Illinois residents affected by the severe storms and flooding of April 16 to May 5 that the possibility of fraud persists.

Recent reports indicate a woman who claimed to be a FEMA employee has approached disaster survivors—mostly senior citizens— and offered to register them for federal assistance for a fee of $150. The same person may also be telling survivors they must pay her so they can collect an anticipated federal disaster assistance check. Both offers are attempts to defraud.

FEMA and IEMA reiterate the following:

FEMA does not charge for registration or for information that it gives out. Apply free online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call toll-free 1-800-621-3362 (TTY 1-800-462-7585). Multilingual phone operators are available on the FEMA helpline. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages.
FEMA does not send out text messages asking recipients to call fee-based telephone numbers. The toll-free numbers above are used for all contact with FEMA, including applying and follow-up.
FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) do not charge fees for information regarding filling out the SBA loan applications. Free assistance is available by calling SBA’s toll-free number, 1-800-659-2955 (TTY 1-800-877-8339).
FEMA does not charge a fee to disaster survivors who receive a federal disaster benefit.

FEMA’s Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) crews are canvassing affected areas to provide information about disaster assistance and give Illinois residents an opportunity to register. While FEMA DSA crews are offering at-your-door service, it is important to remain vigilant about protecting your personal information:

Residents should always ask for ID. Federal and state officials always have photo identification clearly visible. If someone represents themselves as a federal or state employee, but does not produce identification, ask to see it.
DSA crew members may offer residents the opportunity to use a tablet computer to register, or ask to enter their information on their behalf. If residents prefer to use personal computers or phones to register, they can call 1-800-621-3362 (TTY 1-800-462-7585), visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov or use a mobile device at m.fema.gov.

Anyone with knowledge of fraud, waste or abuse may call the FEMA Fraud Hotline at 1-800-323-8603. You may also send an email to DHSOIGHotline@dhs.gov. Complaints may also be made via the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 (TTY 1-800-462-7585) or with state or local law enforcement officials or consumer agencies.

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/femaregion5, www.facebook.com/fema, 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.

Media Contact: 609-508-2238

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Beware: Fraudsters Still Preying Upon Disaster Survivors

David Passey Named FEMA Region 6 Deputy Administrator

DENTON, Texas – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today named David Passey as Deputy Regional Administrator for FEMA Region 6.

“David has 22 years of experience in dealing with emergency managers at the local, state, tribal, federal and international level,” said Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “With his leadership and communications skills, he will be a great asset for this Region.”

Passey, a Magna Cum Laude graduate from Brigham Young University, began his FEMA career as an Emergency Management Intern at FEMA Headquarters in 1991. Since moving to Region 6 in 1992, he has served in several positions including Hazard Mitigation Specialist, Flood Mitigation Specialist and Regional External Affairs Officer. In the fall of 2007, he left Region 6 to serve as Senior DHS Representative to NATO. He returned to Region 6 in 2011, most recently serving as Hazard Mitigation Assistance Branch Chief.

As Deputy Regional Administrator, Passey will work closely with state, tribal, federal partners, and local emergency managers to support our communities as they prepare for, respond to, recover from and to mitigate against disasters. “I’m looking forward to the challenges of the job, and the chance to strengthen the ties Region 6 has with our partners,” said Passey.

Passey fills the position which was vacated when Tony Robinson was named Administrator of FEMA Region 6 on January 10, 2013.

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David Passey Named FEMA Region 6 Deputy Administrator

Being Alert To Fraud Following Superstorm Sandy Helps Recovery And Taxpayers

TRENTON, N.J. — While the vast majority of people who have registered and received FEMA assistance have genuine needs, the rush to get millions in disaster assistance to those affected by Superstorm Sandy, sadly, presents opportunities for dishonest people to defraud taxpayers.

Fraud increases the cost of recovery after a disaster and gives money to those without disaster-related losses, emergency management officials warn.

The Inspector General for the Federal Emergency Management Agency investigates complaints of fraud, waste or abuse involving FEMA contracts, programs or personnel. FEMA maintains a toll-free Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721.

Potential cases of fraud or misuse of funds can be referred to the U.S. Justice Department for prosecution. Penalties for felony offenses can be severe.

These are some examples of complaints that are typically filed with the FEMA Office of the Inspector General:

Applicants used false names and multiple and/or fictitious addresses;
Applicants claimed losses they didn’t sustain or to which they were not entitled;
Applicants did not use FEMA money for the intended purposes;
Municipal officials used FEMA money for their own benefit;
FEMA checks were stolen; and
Applicants received duplicate payments from FEMA and their insurance companies.

Complaints can also be filed by writing to:

National Center for Disaster Fraud

Baton Rouge, LA 70821-4909

Those who visit the Office of the Inspector General Web site at www.fema.gov/ig/hotline.shtm will find an option to submit a complaint using Internet electronic mail. Those who submit complaints via e-mail must waive confidentiality because of the non-secure nature of Internet electronic mail systems.

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, 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.

Being Alert To Fraud Following Superstorm Sandy Helps Recovery And Taxpayers

New York: By the Numbers – 42

NEW YORK — The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration have approved more than $7.8 billion in direct assistance to homeowners, renters, businesses, government agencies and nonprofits that were affected by Hurricane Sandy.

Individual Assistance

Nearly $3.7 billion in National Flood Insurance Program payments made to policy holders
More than $1.5 billion in SBA disaster loans approved for homeowners, renters and businesses
Nearly $992 million in FEMA grants approved for individuals and households
- Nearly $848 million for housing assistance
- Nearly $144 million for other needs assistance

Public Assistance

More than $1.6 billion in Public Assistance grants to reimburse local, state and tribal governments and eligible private nonprofits for some of the costs of:
- emergency response
- debris removal
- repairing or rebuilding damaged public facilities
5.6 million cubic yards of debris removed

Sandy survivors should stay in touch and notify FEMA when they receive their insurance settlement, need to update their address or other contact information, or have any questions regarding their application.

Applicants may call FEMA’s Helpline at 800-621-3362 (Voice, 7-1-1/Relay) or

TTY 800-462-7585 to update FEMA. The toll-free telephone numbers operate 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EDT, seven days a week.

Individuals can check the status of their application at DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov.

For information about New York State recovery programs, visit www.NYSandyHelp.ny.gov or call 855-NYS-SANDY. The phone line is available 8 a.m to 8 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends.

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Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

SBA is the federal government’s primary source of funding for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts, and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For information about SBA programs, applicants may call 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339).

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New York: By the Numbers – 42

Federal Disaster Aid to Illinois Residents Tops $144 Million

AURORA, Ill. – Federal assistance in Illinois has reached more than $144 million, distributed among more than 58,000 individuals and households, since a major disaster was declared for storms and flooding that occurred April 16 through May 5.

The latest summary of federal assistance includes:

More than $144 million in FEMA grants approved for individuals and households;
Of that amount, more than $124 million has been approved for housing assistance, including temporary rental assistance and home repair costs;
More than $20 million has been approved to cover other essential disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses and damaged personal possessions;
More than 87,000 home inspections have been completed to confirm disaster damage;
More than $49 million in loans to homeowners, renters or business owners has been approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

FEMA has extended the registration deadline by 15 days to August 8, 2013. Affected residents of 35 counties covered in the Illinois disaster declaration for severe storms and flooding are encouraged to register with FEMA.

Counties designated for individual assistance for this disaster declaration are: Brown, Bureau, Calhoun, Clark, Cook, Crawford, DeKalb, Douglas, DuPage, Fulton, Grundy, Henderson, Henry, Kane, Kendall, Knox, Lake, LaSalle, Livingston, Marshall, Mason, McDonough, McHenry, Peoria, Pike, Putnam, Rock Island, Schuyler, Stark, Tazewell, Warren, Whiteside, Will, Winnebago, and Woodford.

Federal assistance is only available for individuals who incurred damage in a designated county as a result of storms and flooding that occurred during the period of April 16 to May 5. Registering for assistance for damages sustained as a result of a storm in any other period could be considered fraudulent and claimants could face recoupment of grant money received and/or fraud charges.

To register or to ask questions about your claim, call 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585. Residents can also register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services should call 800-621-3362. All phone lines are open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Those with storm damage who do not register are disqualifying themselves from any possible assistance if their insurance settlement is not enough.

Those owning homes or businesses in areas that flood frequently may be required to elevate, relocate or demolish the structures to prevent future loss. The National Flood Insurance Program’s standard flood insurance policies will pay up to $30,000 of the eligible costs under the increased cost of compliance (ICC) coverage.

To qualify for ICC, the NFIP-insured structure must be located in a Special Flood Hazard Area and the cost to repair the structure must equal or exceed 50 percent of its market value prior to the flood damage.

Another way to qualify is if your community has a more restrictive floodplain management ordinance provision that requires damaged buildings to be brought into compliance when the cost exceeds a threshold lower than 50 percent, or by calculating the cost to repair cumulatively over a period of time, for buildings that are damaged repetitively.

The insurance agent that sold you flood insurance and your local building official can provide more information.

Media Contact: 571-408-1835

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Federal Disaster Aid to Illinois Residents Tops $144 Million

Federal Aid Programs for the State of Colorado Declaration

Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Obama’s disaster declaration issued for the State of Colorado.

Assistance for Affected Individuals and Families Can Include as Required:

Disaster Unemployment Assistance payments up to 26 weeks for workers who temporarily lost jobs because of the disaster and who do not qualify for state benefits, such as self-employed individuals. (Source: FEMA funded; state administered.)

How to Apply for Assistance:

Additional information on how to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance will be provided by the state.

Assistance for the State and Affected Local Governments Can Include as Required:

Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for emergency protective measures taken to save lives and protect property and public health. Emergency protective measures assistance is available to state and eligible local governments on a cost-sharing basis. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)

Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, bridges, utilities, buildings, schools, recreational areas and similar publicly owned property, as well as certain private non-profit organizations engaged in community service activities. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)

Payment of not more than 75 percent of the approved costs for hazard mitigation projects undertaken by state and local governments to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural or technological disasters. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)

How to Apply for Assistance:

Application procedures for state and local governments will be explained at a series of federal/state applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials. Approved public repair projects are paid through the state from funding provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders and 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.

Stay informed of FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts available at www.fema.gov/medialibrary and www.youtube.com/fema; follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/fema and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fema.

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Federal Aid Programs for the State of Colorado Declaration

President Declares Disaster for Colorado

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to the State of Colorado to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by the Royal Gorge Fire during the period of June 11-16, 2013.

Federal funding is available for Disaster Unemployment Assistance for affected individuals in Fremont County.

The President’s action makes federal funding available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the Royal Gorge Fire in Fremont County.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

Thomas J. McCool has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. McCool said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

Follow FEMA online at fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, 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.

Link –

President Declares Disaster for Colorado

Florida Mass Care Specialist Recognized For Excellence

Michael Whitehead wins Craig Irwin Memorial Award

ATLANTA – Florida mass care coordinator Michael Whitehead of Tallahassee won the Craig Irwin Memorial Award this week at the FEMA Region IV annual Individual Assistance Conference in Atlanta.

The Craig Irwin Memorial Award recognizes excellence in service and support with the individual assistance network.

“I’m honored to receive such an award,” Whitehead said. “I want to thank FEMA and all the state officers for giving me such a tremendous honor. I promise to continue working to increase our nation’s mass care capabilities.”

Following a disaster, individual assistance and/or mass care programs coordinate with federal, state, local, and voluntary/non-profit entities to provide recovery assistance to survivors.

Whitehead serves as the mass care coordinator as part of Florida’s State Emergency Response Team and is an employee of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation where he has worked for more than 25 years.

In addition to working disaster events in Florida, Whitehead has also assisted other states including Mississippi during Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Louisiana during Hurricane Gustav in 2008, New Jersey during Hurricane Irene in 2011 and Maryland during Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Following his work in Maryland, Whitehead took two weeks of vacation time to volunteer with the American Red Cross in New York City to assist with additional Sandy response and recovery efforts.

The Craig Irwin Memorial Award is named for the long-time individual assistance and mass care officer for the state of Tennessee. Irwin, a Fairview, Tenn. native, died at the age of 60 in January 2009.

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Florida Mass Care Specialist Recognized For Excellence

FEMA Disaster Assistance Registration Deadline is Only a Month Away

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The deadline to register for disaster assistance — Monday, August 26, 2013 – is only a month away.

With everything else that’s going on, time can slip away and, before you know it, it’s too late!

So if you had flood-related damage, be sure to register for disaster assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) before the deadline.

Help is available for renters, homeowners and business owners in the Regional Educational Attendance Areas (REAAs) of Alaska Gateway, Lower Yukon, Yukon Flats, and Yukon-Koyukuk who suffered damage from the flooding of the Yukon River that occurred between May 17 and June 11, 2013.

Assistance to individuals can include awards to help pay for housing needs, essential home repairs and other disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance or other sources.

Survivors with flood damage can register in person with disaster specialists at either of two Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) set up to assist them:

In Galena at the Galena Interior Learning Academy, 359 Challenger Road.
In Fairbanks at 751 Old Richardson Hwy., Suite 202.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday at both DRCs.

Survivors also can register by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or online at DisasterAssistance.gov. Registration by mobile device is also available at www.m.fema.gov. Those with a speech disability or hearing loss who use TTY can call 800-462-7585 (TTY). Multilingual registration can be done by phone.

Disaster officials advise those who intend to register at one of the DRCs to bring:

Their Social Security number
Current and pre-disaster address
Block and lot number
A telephone number where they can be contacted
Insurance information
Total household annual income.

Staff at the DRCs can review and update applicant information and address individual questions and concerns.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses and private, nonprofit organizations to cover costs of repair or replacement of damaged real estate, personal property, and business assets not covered by insurance or other aid. SBA offers disaster loans to cover working capital disaster needs caused by disaster for small businesses only and most private, nonprofit organizations,

There are three ways to apply for an SBA disaster loan: After registering with FEMA, go online to SBA’s secure site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela; call 1-800-659-2955 (deaf and hard-of-hearing call 1-800-877-8339); or, visit the Disaster Recovery Center for one-on-one service. For more information on SBA disaster assistance, go to www.sba.gov.

FEMA Disaster Assistance Registration Deadline is Only a Month Away

Learn to Reduce Storm Damage this Saturday at Home Depot

FEMA joins Home Depot Stores for Hurricane Preparedness Days

FRAMINGHAM, Mass.–With memories of the 2012 hurricane season and Hurricane Sandy’s October wrath still lingering, FEMA is partnering with Home Depot stores to promote hurricane preparedness to help homeowners be safe and reduce their property damage from the next storm.

FEMA mitigation specialists and Home Depot associates will be at the Bellingham, Mass., Home Depot, 229 Hartford Avenue, from 9:00 a.m. till 6:00 p.m. this Saturday educating concerned homeowners on how to make their homes stronger and safer.

Using a see-through, disaster avoidance model house, FEMA staff will demonstrate the use of hurricane straps and stronger building materials to prepare homes to better withstand the forces of a hurricane.

Subject matter experts will also help customers create an emergency preparedness kit, choose the best generator for their needs, and identify the different types of alerts and wind speeds associated with hurricanes.

Hurricane season begins on June 1 and runs through Nov. 30, but hurricanes have been known to pay no attention to dates. The 2005 season was the most active hurricane season on record with 28 named storms and 15 hurricanes. The last named storm in 2005, Zeta, formed on Dec. 29 before dissipating a week later in 2006.

The National Weather Service has forecast an active hurricane season for 2013, and so far the season is proving them right.

Tropical Storm Andrea made landfall in Florida barely six days into the hurricane season. Right on her heels was Tropical Storm Barry that went ashore near Veracruz, Mexico. Tropical Storm Chantal formed in early July and slammed the Caribbean for two days before losing her strength to wind shear. This year’s fourth named storm, Tropical Storm Dorian, has already formed in the Eastern Atlantic and appears headed for the Caribbean. It may be only a matter of time before Erin, Fernand, Gabrielle or one of the following storms tracks the paths of Irene and Sandy to New England.

More than 700 Home Depot stores along America’s coastlines will be participating in Hurricane Preparedness Days in their areas. For more information on the Hurricane Workshops, go to https://myapron.homedepot.com or email Ashley_townsend@homedepot.com.

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Learn to Reduce Storm Damage this Saturday at Home Depot

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