Survivors who incorrectly received FEMA funds should return them

SAIPAN, CNMI – The Federal Emergency Management Agency wants Soudelor survivors on Saipan to get all available assistance. However, they also want to make sure no one ends up having to return money.

FEMA’s Individual Assistance program provides grants to Saipan survivors. About $20 million has been approved to date.

Mistakes can lead to money being inappropriately paid to people in any disaster.

“When mistakes happen, no matter whether they’re made by the applicant or by FEMA, the law requires that FEMA recover that money,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Stephen M. DeBlasio Sr. “The last thing we want is for anyone to have to deal with that issue.”

Any survivors who received a FEMA grant and are now unsure of their eligibility should contact FEMA at 800-621-3362. People with speech or hearing disability and use 711 or Video Relay Service should call that number, while those who use TTY should call 800-462-7585.

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.