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Understanding the FEMA Eligibility Letter

RIDGELAND, Miss. – All applicants receive letters from FEMA explaining the status of their applications and whether or not they are eligible for assistance from FEMA. Some may receive text messages about their application.

Take the time to read the document thoroughly. Sometimes people do not immediately qualify for financial help and the reason may be fixed simply. The following are some common reasons for not qualifying:

The applicant did not sign the required documents;
Proof of ownership or occupancy was not supplied;
No proof the damaged property was the primary residence at the time of the disaster.
Someone else in the household may have applied and received assistance.
No paperwork showing the damaged property was the primary residence at the time of the disaster.

If questions arise, call the FEMA helpline (voice, 711 or relay service) at 800-621-3362. (TTY users should call 800-462-7585.) The toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. You also can take the letter to a visit a disaster recovery center and talk with staff individually. To locate the nearest center, visit FEMA.gov/DRC or call the FEMA helpline.

FEMA can never duplicate insurance benefits or other government sources, but if insurance is not enough to cover all the eligible damage, FEMA’s initial determination of ineligibility may change.

Every applicant has the right to file an appeal. The original letter provides an explanation of what steps need to be taken to appeal FEMA’s decision. Bring the letter to a disaster recovery center for help with the appeals process or call the FEMA helpline. Appeals must be filed in writing within 60 days of the date of the determination letter. The letter must explain why the initial decision was wrong and provide any new or additional information.

Appeals can be mailed to:

FEMA – Individuals & Households Program

National Processing Service Center

P.O. Box 10055

Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055

For more information on Mississippi’s disaster recover, visit FEMA.gov/Disaster/4268 and MSEMA.org.

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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). If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is the federal government’s primary source of money to help business of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters rebuild and recover after a disaster. SBA low interest disaster loans repair and replace property losses not fully compensated by insurance and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

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Understanding the FEMA Eligibility Letter

FEMA Offers Advice for Texans on Lessening Storm Damage in Gregg County

AUSTIN, Texas – A team of specialists from FEMA will offer tips and techniques to lessen the impact of disaster-related property damage at The Home Depot in Gregg County.

Specialists will be available at the following location:

The Home Depot: 411 E Loop 281, Longview, TX 75605

Available: 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, April 21-22; 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 23-24; and 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, April 25-26

FEMA Mitigation specialists will be on hand to answer questions and offer home improvement tips to reduce damage in future disasters. Information is geared to both do-it-yourselfers and general contractors on topics such as storm shelters and safe rooms.

Booklets are available in both English and Spanish on protecting your home from flood damage and other natural disasters. If you are a person with a disability and need an accommodation to access materials such as Braille, large print, or ASL interpreters, please let our representatives know. More information about strengthening property can be found at www.fema.gov/what-mitigation and www.fema.gov/texas-disaster-mitigation.

FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program has a call center to answer policyholder questions, service claims, provide general information and offer technical assistance. To speak with a flood insurance specialist, call 800-621-3362 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For more information on the Texas recovery, visit the disaster webpage at www.fema.gov/disaster/4266, Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem.

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FEMA Offers Advice for Texans on Lessening Storm Damage in Gregg County

FEMA Offers Advice for Texans on Lessening Storm Damage in Orange County

AUSTIN, Texas – A team of specialists from FEMA will offer tips and techniques to lessen the impact of disaster-related property damage at The Home Depot in Orange County.

Specialists will be available at the following location:

The Home Depot: 603 Strickland Drive, Orange, TX 77630

Available: 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, April 21-22; 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 23-24; and 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, April 25-26

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FEMA Offers Advice for Texans on Lessening Storm Damage in Orange County

Farmerville Disaster Recovery Center Transitions to SBA Loan Center for Louisiana Survivors

BATON ROUGE, La. – The disaster recovery center at the Willie Davis Recreation Center in Farmerville will transition to a Small Business Association (SBA) Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) beginning Friday, April 22, at 8 a.m.

The new DLOC will be located at the Union Parish Courthouse, 100 East Bayou St., Suite 107 Farmerville, La. The center will open for business at 8 a.m. Friday, April 22. Its hours of operation will be 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday.

Representatives from the SBA will be available at the DLOC to meet individually with Louisiana residents and business owners who sustained damage as a result of the severe storms and flooding from March 8 to April 8. Representatives will answer questions, explain SBA’s disaster loan program, help complete loan applications and close approved disaster loans.

The Farmerville disaster recovery center at the Willie Davis Recreation Center, 116 Cox Ferry Road, Farmerville, La., will remain open until 6 p.m. Thursday, April 21.

Louisiana disaster survivors in Farmerville may still visit other recovery centers to meet with recovery officials. For other locations, go to fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers or call 800-621-3362.

Residents can still register for disaster assistance or ask questions by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY) 800-462-7585. Those who use 711/VRS can call 800-621-3362. Lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice. They can also register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or www.fema.gov/disaster/4263.

Call the helpline to:

questions about FEMA determination letters.
Learn how to appeal FEMA determinations. All applicants may appeal.
Inquire about the status of a registration.
Provide change of address, telephone and bank account numbers and insurance information to avoid disaster assistance processing delays.
Receive information about FEMA home inspections.
Get other questions answered about federal disaster assistance.

FEMA advises applicants to have their nine-digit FEMA registration number on hand when they call. They also will be asked to verify their identity if they want access to their information.

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We urge everyone to continue to use caution in areas where floodwaters remain. Monitor DOTD’s www.511la.org website for updated road closure information. Look for advisories from your local authorities and emergency managers. You can find the latest information on the state’s response at www.emergency.la.gov. GOHSEP also provides information at www.gohsep.la.gov, Facebook and Twitter. You can receive emergency alerts on most smartphones and tablets by downloading the new Alert FM App. It is free for basic service. You can also download the Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Guide and find other information at www.getagameplan.org.

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 us on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

The U.S. Small Business Administration 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.

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Farmerville Disaster Recovery Center Transitions to SBA Loan Center for Louisiana Survivors

Free FEMA Advice Available at Local Home Improvement Store in Hattiesburg

RIDGELAND, Miss. – Are you repairing or rebuilding damaged property? Have questions about flood insurance? Want to protect your property from potential loss or damage from future disasters? FEMA mitigation specialists will be available in Hattiesburg to answer questions on building stronger.

Advisers will be available April 21-26 at the following location:

Lowe’s Home Improvement, 6004 U.S. Highway 98, Hattiesburg, MS 39402

The hours are: Thursday, noon to 7 p.m.; Friday through Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For more information on Mississippi’s flood recovery, go to fema.gov/disaster/4268 or visit the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency site at msema.org.

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Free FEMA Advice Available at Local Home Improvement Store in Hattiesburg

Disaster Recovery Centers Stress Accessibility for All

RIDGELAND, Miss. – Natural disasters are equal-opportunity when they pick their targets. In assisting survivors, the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency/Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster recovery centers are just as impartial.

Centers are now open in disaster-designated counties to help homeowners, renters and business owners affected by the severe storms and flooding in Mississippi that occurred March 9-29. Reaching everyone in the whole community is a key objective. Successful outreach relies on assuring universal access, reasonable accommodation and accessible communication to all people, with or without disabilities.

FEMA provides interpreters and suitable technology and procedures to give the most individuals access to the disaster assistance information available at disaster recovery centers, which are run jointly by MEMA and FEMA.

The centers offer a comprehensive range of assistance for survivors, including help with FEMA registration, assisting businesses, homeowners and renters in applying for loans from the Small Business Administration, and providing overall guidance and solutions for recovery. Staff can answer survivors’ questions on the status of applications, housing assistance and available rental resources, and obtain referrals to agencies that may provide further assistance.

Representatives of state and federal agencies are present to explain the various government programs designed to help survivors recover. Local and national support groups, such as the American Red Cross, may also be on hand.

Visiting a center, survivors with access and functional needs find a fully accessible environment, from the parking lot and entrance to the restrooms and technology, with a staff trained to be aware of survivors’ needs and able to demonstrate the use of assistive equipment.

“Our inspection teams make certain that each center is entirely accessible before it opens and that all members of the community can come and get what they need. The goal is universal accessibility,” said FEMA Disability Integration advisor John Daly.

For those who are blind/low vision, each center is equipped with magnifiers, plus braille and large-print editions of FEMA’s recovery publication Help After a Disaster. For those who are deaf/hard-of-hearing,

the centers offer various assisted listening devices and three different types of telephones: a caption phone with a visual read-out of the conversation, a TTY phone and an iPad with translation software that uses VRI (Video Remote Interpreting) to interface with an American Sign Language interpreter.

The best way for survivors with access and functional needs to make sure they receive full access to the entire range of support the center provides, including ASL interpreters, is to call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 to express their preferences and any reasonable accommodations to the center’s manager before they visit. Those who use 711/VRS, can call 800-621-3362. Survivors who are deaf, hard of hearing or who have speech disabilities may call TTY 800-462-7585.

Survivors can locate the nearest center by visiting fema.gov/drc or by calling the FEMA helpline. They can also register by calling the helpline or online at DisasterAssistance.gov. Helpline hours are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week until further notice.

For more information on Mississippi’s flood recovery, go to fema.gov/disaster/4268 or visit the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency site at msema.org.

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

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Disaster Recovery Centers Stress Accessibility for All

President Amends Iowa and Nebraska Disaster Declarations

WASHINGTON –The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that the President has made additional disaster assistance available by authorizing an increase in the level of Federal funding for Public Assistance projects undertaken by the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska and Iowa as a result of flooding during the period of May 24 to August 1, 2011 in Iowa and during the period of May 25 to August 1, 2011 in Nebraska.

Under the President’s major disaster declaration issued for the State of Iowa on June 27, 2011 and the State of Nebraska on August 12, 2011, federal funding was made available for Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation at 75 percent federal funding of total eligible costs.

Under the President’s order yesterday, the Federal share for Public Assistance has been increased to 90 percent of the total eligible costs for the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska and Iowa.

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.

Original article:

President Amends Iowa and Nebraska Disaster Declarations

26 Mississippi Counties Approved for Infrastructure Disaster Aid

RIDGELAND, Miss. – The state of Mississippi, local governments and certain private nonprofits in 26 Mississippi counties are now eligible to receive federal assistance to help cover expenses and repair damage associated with the severe storms and flooding that occurred March 9-29, 2016, according to state and federal officials.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency said an amendment to the disaster declaration of March 25, authorizes the Public Assistance program for Bolivar, Claiborne, Clarke, Coahoma, Covington, Forrest, Greene, Holmes, Jefferson Davis, Jones, Lamar, Leake, Leflore, Lincoln, Marion, Panola, Pearl River, Perry, Quitman, Sunflower, Tallahatchie, Tate, Tunica, Walthall, Washington and Wayne counties.

The Public Assistance Grant Program is a reimbursement program paid to state, tribal and local governments, and certain private nonprofits. Under the Public Assistance program, FEMA pays 75 percent of the cost for repairs, overtime and debris removal. Typically, the remaining 25 percent is split between state and local governments at 12.5 percent each. Eligible nonprofits are responsible for the full 25 percent. The program is administered by MEMA. Eligibility and project approval is determined by FEMA.

MEMA and FEMA will schedule applicant briefings with officials of eligible entities and nonprofit organizations in the designated counties. MEMA and FEMA will provide information on the application process, as well as deadlines for submission of necessary documents to receive federal reimbursement.

The applicant briefings may be followed by face-to-face meetings in local communities between FEMA, state officials and eligible applicants.

MEMA and FEMA and their local, state and federal partners are also providing assistance to individuals affected by the storms.

Survivors in the 16 Mississippi counties designated for the Individual Assistance Grant Program can register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling the FEMA helpline at (voice, 711 or relay service) 800-621-3362. (TTY users should call 800-462-7585.) The toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available. Survivors may also call the helplines with questions regarding their applications or the appeals process.

There are 16 Mississippi counties designated for FEMA’s Individual Assistance Grant Program, including: Bolivar, Clarke, Coahoma, Forrest, George, Greene, Jones, Marion, Panola, Pearl River, Perry, Quitman, Sunflower, Tunica, Washington and Wayne.

For more information on Mississippi’s flood recovery, go to fema.gov/disaster/4268 or visit the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency website at msema.org.

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FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who are referred to SBA must submit the loan application to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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26 Mississippi Counties Approved for Infrastructure Disaster Aid

FEMA to Evaluate Readiness of Maryland and Pennsylvania

PHILADELPHIA – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will evaluate a biennial Emergency Preparedness Exercise at the Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station. The exercise will occur during the week of April 25^th, 2016 to assess the ability of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the State of Maryland to respond to an emergency at the nuclear facility.

“These drills are held every other year to evaluate government’s ability to protect public health and safety,” said MaryAnn Tierney, Regional Administrator for FEMA Region III. “We will assess state and local emergency response capabilities within the 10-mile Emergency Planning Zone as well as the adjacent support jurisdictions within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the State of Maryland.”

Within 90 days, FEMA will send its evaluation to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for use in licensing decisions. The final report will be available to the public approximately 120 days after the exercise.

FEMA will present preliminary findings of the exercise in a public meeting at 11:00 a.m. on April 29, 2016, at the Homewood Suites, 200 Granite Run Drive, Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17601. Scheduled speakers include representatives from FEMA, NRC, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the State of Maryland.

At the public meeting, FEMA may request that questions or comments be submitted in writing for review and response. Written comments may also be submitted after the meeting by emailing FEMAR3NewsDesk@fema.dhs.gov or by mail to:

MaryAnn Tierney

Regional Administrator

FEMA Region III

615 Chestnut Street, 6^th Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19106

FEMA created the Radiological Emergency Preparedness (REP) Program to (1) ensure the health and safety of citizens living around commercial nuclear power plants would be adequately protected in the event of a nuclear power plant accident, and (2) inform and educate the public about radiological emergency preparedness.

REP Program responsibilities cover only “offsite” activities, that is, state and local government emergency planning and preparedness activities that take place beyond the nuclear power plant boundaries. Onsite activities continue to be the responsibility of the NRC.

Additional information on FEMA’s REP Program is available online at FEMA.gov/Radiological-Emergency-Preparedness-Program.

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. FEMA Region III’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Stay informed of FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts are available at fema.gov/medialibrary and youtube.com/fema. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion3.

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FEMA to Evaluate Readiness of Maryland and Pennsylvania

Pearl River County Disaster Recovery Center Open Today Through Saturday

RIDGELAND, Miss. – A disaster recovery center will open at noon Tuesday, April 19, and remain open through 6 p.m. Saturday, April 23, in Pearl River County to provide assistance to survivors of the severe storms and flooding that occurred from March 9-29, 2016.

Recovery centers are run jointly by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Representatives of state, federal and voluntary agencies are available in the centers to explain the various programs designed to help survivors recover.

The Pearl River County Center will be located at Manna Ministries, Inc., 120 Street A, Suite A, Picayune, MS 39466. It will be open on Tuesday from noon until 6 p.m.

Beginning Wednesday, April 20, through Saturday, April 23, the Picayune center will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The center will close permanently on Saturday at 6 p.m.

A nearby Forrest County center remains open to assist survivors Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Centers are closed on Sunday. The location is:

Forrest County

Forrrest County Community Disaster Shelter facility

946 Sullivan Drive

Hattiesburg, MS 39401

Anyone affected by the storms and flooding in a designated county may visit either of the centers. Survivors can locate the nearest center by visiting fema.gov/drc or by calling the FEMA helpline.

Many services available at disaster recovery centers are also available by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362. Survivors with questions regarding the application or the appeals process, or who need to register for assistance, may visit online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone (voice, 711 or relay service) at 800-621-3362. (TTY users should call 800-462-7585.) The toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

Survivors requiring a reasonable accommodation (ASL interpreting, Braille Large Print, etc.) while visiting a disaster recovery center may call the appropriate Helpline number above.

Homeowners, renters and business owners can apply for low-interest disaster loans at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. SBA representatives are available at the disaster recovery centers to answer questions and help survivors complete their disaster loan applications. Questions can also be answered by calling the SBA disaster customer service center at 800-659-2955 or (TTY) 800-877-8339 for the deaf or hard of hearing, or by visiting sba.gov/disaster.

For more information on Mississippi’s flood recovery, go to fema.gov/disaster/4268 or visit the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency website at msema.org.

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Pearl River County Disaster Recovery Center Open Today Through Saturday

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