AUSTIN, Texas – A team of specialists from FEMA will visit two home improvement stores in Harris County and another in Austin County to offer tips and techniques to lessen the impact of disaster-related property damage.

Specialists will be available from June 2-7 at the following locations:

Harris County

Where:          
Lowe’s Home Improvement,
1521 North Loop West,
Houston, TX 77008                       

Hours:           
7 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, June 2-4
8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Sunday, June 5
7 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, June 6-7

Where:          
Gateway Ace Hardware,
6860 Telephone Rd.,
Houston, TX 77061                 

Hours:           
8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, June 2-4
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sunday, June 5
8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, June 6-7

Austin County

Where:          
A L & M Do-it-Best Building Supply,
300 N. Meyer St.,
Sealy, TX 77474

Hours:           
7 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, June 2-3
7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, June 4
8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Sunday, June 5
7 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, June 6-7

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 flood proofing a home, how to elevate utilities and removing and replacing wet drywall.  

Booklets are available in English and Spanish on protecting your home from flood damage and other natural disasters. If you have a disability and need an accommodation to access Braille or large print, please let our representatives know. American Sign Language interpreters can be available, if requested, by calling Everett Sedgwick at 202-870-4129. More information on how to strengthen homes, businesses and communities can be found at fema.gov/what-mitigation and 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 (FEMA) and select option 2. Hours are between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.

For more information on the Texas recovery, visit the disaster webpage for the April storms at fema.gov/disaster/4269; or visit the Texas Division of Emergency Management website at txdps.state.tx.us/dem. Follow us on Twitter @femaregion6.

Download fema.gov/mobile-app to locate open shelters and disaster recovery centers, receive severe weather alerts, safety tips and much more.

# # #

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.

Download fema.gov/mobile-app to locate open shelters and disaster recovery centers, receive severe weather alerts, safety tips and much more.

Excerpt from: 

FEMA Offers Advice for Texans on Lessening Storm Damage in Harris and Austin Counties

BATON ROUGE, La. – If you are one of the many Louisiana residents who were affected by the severe storms and flooding that occurred March 8 through April 8 and haven’t registered for help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, why wait? Do it now!

You have until June 13 to take the first step toward getting federal assistance. Don’t miss out! Once you register with FEMA, you may be eligible for a federal grant to help you with your recovery. You may also qualify for a low-interest disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

If you haven’t registered yet and are a homeowner or renter with disaster-related damage in the designated parishes, do it now before it’s too late.

Did you not register because:

  •  You simply didn’t know that FEMA offers help to homeowners and renters whose homes were damaged?  Once you register with FEMA you will learn about the help that may be available to you.
  •  You kept putting off registering because you were too busy and didn’t remember to register until the evening, and thought everything would be closed? Registering is a very important first step to getting help. The FEMA helpline is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day of the week.
  •  You are confused about the process of registering with FEMA? FEMA is there to help you. Make the phone call. Ask questions and you will get answers.
  •  You thought talking with your parish officials or the American Red Cross would automatically make you eligible for FEMA aid? The only way for you to be eligible for federal help is for you, the homeowner or renter, to register with FEMA. Nobody else can do it for you.
  •  You called 2-1-1 and thought that would automatically make you eligible for FEMA aid?  2-1-1 is a free and confidential service that helps people across North America find the local resources they need, including how to apply for disaster assistance. They’re available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. But calling them does not register you with FEMA. The only way you can register is to call the FEMA helpline.
  •  You thought the damage to your property would not be eligible for federal help ? Let FEMA make the decision. A FEMA housing inspector will examine your property damage to determine if it qualifies you for federal assistance.
  •  You thought that since you already cleaned up and made repairs you couldn’t apply for assistance? You can register with FEMA even after you make repairs. You must be able to show that the damage was caused by the severe storms and flooding that occurred March 8 through April 8. Don’t forget to keep all repair receipts.
  •  You thought others needed the federal aid more than you? No one is denied aid because of someone else’s need. If you are eligible for assistance, FEMA will provide funds to help you recover.
  •  You thought you’d have to repay a FEMA grant? FEMA assistance is a grant, not a loan. It does not have to be repaid. It is not subject to income tax.
  •  You thought that getting disaster assistance from FEMA would affect your government benefits, such as Social Security, Medicaid or SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)? You will not pay additional income taxes or see any reduction in your Social Security checks or any other federal benefits.
  •  You didn’t think you could register because you don’t speak English very well? FEMA has people who speak many languages. Translators are available and can help you in the registration process. Cuando llame al 800 621-3362 marque el 1 y escuche las instrucciones en español. Favor llamar antes del lunes 13 de junio.
  •  You didn’t think you were eligible for FEMA help because you are not a U.S. citizen? If you are in the United States legally or are the parent of a U.S. citizen in your household, you need have no worries about applying for federal disaster assistance.

None of these reasons will prevent you from getting help from FEMA. Here’s what to do to get the correct information. Just be sure to do it before Monday, June 13:

  •  Call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.
  •  Cuando llame al 800-621-3362 marque el 1 y escuche las instrucciones en español. Favor llamar antes del lunes 13 de junio.
  •  If you use 711/VRS call 800-621-3362.
  •  Register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or www.fema.gov/disaster/4263.
  •  Visit FEMA.gov/disaster-recovery-centers or call 800-621-3362 to find a disaster recovery center near you.

If you have questions about how you may qualify for a low-interest disaster SBA loan:

  •  Call SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955, email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visit SBA’s website at SBA.gov/disaster. If you are deaf or hard-of-hearing you can call 800-877-8339.

We urge everyone to continue to use caution in areas where floodwaters remain. Monitor DOTD’s 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 emergency.la.gov. GOHSEP also provides information at 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 getagameplan.org.

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.

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 blog.fema.gov.

FEMA offers a number of free online resources for home and property owners. To get started, go to fema.gov/safer-stronger-protected-homes-communities or fema.gov/louisiana-disaster-mitigation.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (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 SBA.gov/disaster Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800 877-8339.
 

 

 

Continue reading – 

Louisiana Disaster Survivors: What Are You Waiting For?

AUSTIN, Texas – A team of specialists from FEMA will visit two Home Depots in Harris County and the Ace Hardware in Grimes County to offer tips and techniques to lessen the impact of disaster-related property damage.

Specialists will be available from May 19-24 at the following locations:

Harris County

Where:           The Home Depot, 6810 Gulf Freeway, Houston, TX 77087

                        The Home Depot, 20360 Highway 59, Humble, TX 77338

Hours:            7 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, May 19-21

8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Sunday, May 22

7 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, May 23-24

Grimes County

Where:           Ace Hardware Turner, Pierce & Fultz, 604 W. Washington Ave (Hwy. 105), Navasota, TX 77868

Hours:            7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, May 19-21

Closed Sunday, May 22

7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, May 23-24

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 flood proofing a home, how to elevate utilities and removing and replacing wet drywall.  

 

Booklets are available in both English and Spanish on protecting your home from flood damage and other natural disasters. If you need an accommodation to access Braille or large print, please let our representatives know. American Sign Language interpreters can be available, if requested, by calling Everett Sedgwick at 202-870-4129. More information on how to strengthen homes, businesses and communities can be found at fema.gov/what-mitigation and 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 (FEMA) and select option 2. Hours are between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.

For more information on the Texas recovery, visit the disaster webpage for the April storms at fema.gov/disaster/4269; or visit the Texas Division of Emergency Management website at txdps.state.tx.us/dem. Follow us on Twitter @femaregion6.

# # #

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.

Source:  

FEMA Offers Advice for Texans on Lessening Storm Damage in Harris and Grimes Counties

AUSTIN, Texas – Disaster often invites chaos, which can result in disagreement: tenants and landlords bicker over re-entry to damaged apartments, homeowners and contractors argue over billing for unfinished or subpar repairs.

“These are just some of the difficulties that Texas survivors may be facing after the recent flooding that may require legal assistance,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Kevin Hannes, who is in charge of FEMA’s operations in Texas. “For those who can’t afford it, help is available.”

The State Bar of Texas, American Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division, FEMA and   other organizations have partnered to help provide assistance to affected individuals and families in the 12 counties designated by the April disaster: Austin, Colorado, Fayette, Fort Bend, Grimes, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, Parker, San Jacinto, Waller and Wharton. The free service is offered to survivors who need legal assistance dealing with issues related to the storms and flooding and have no means to hire a lawyer.

A toll-free legal hotline (800-504-7030) is open to connect low-income individuals affected by the disaster with local legal aid providers who can help with: 

  • assistance with life, medical and property insurance claims;

  • counseling on landlord-tenant problems;

  • assistance securing FEMA and other government benefits available to disaster survivors;

  • help with home repair contracts and contractors;

  • replacement of wills and other important documents lost or destroyed in the disaster

  • consumer protection issues such as price gouging and avoiding contractor scams in rebuliding process and

  • counseling on mortgage-foreclosure problems.

The hotline is available around the clock, seven days a week, and callers are also invited to leave a message. Individuals who qualify for assistance will be matched with Texas lawyers who have volunteered to provide free, limited legal help. Communications with an attorney are confidential.

Survivors should be aware that there are some limitations on disaster legal services. For example, assistance is not available for cases that will produce a fee (i.e., those cases where attorneys are paid part of the settlement by the court). Such cases are referred to a local lawyer referral service.

Other legal organizations assisting with disaster relief efforts include the Houston Bar Association (hba.org), Lone Star Legal Aid (lonestarlegal.org), the Texas Consumer Complaint Center at the University of Houston Law Center (texasccc.com, or 877-839-8422) and the American Red Cross (877-500-8645). National Disaster Legal Aid Online, or NDLA (available at: disasterlegalaid.org) is a collaborative effort of Lone Star Legal Aid, the American Bar Association (abanet.org/disaster), the Legal Services Corporation, the National Legal Aid and Defender Association, and Pro Bono Net.

Texans can register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone at 800-621-3362 (FEMA). Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585. Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may also call 800-621-3362. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

For more information on the Texas recovery, visit the disaster webpage for the April storms at fema.gov/disaster/4269; or visit the Texas Division of Emergency Management website at txdps.state.tx.us/dem. Follow us on Twitter @femaregion6.

# # #

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.

 

Original article – 

Free Legal Help Available to Low-Income Texans Affected by April Floods

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

Specialists will be available at the following locations:

Where:           Lowe’s, 5002 Garth Road, Baytown, TX 77521

Hours:            7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday May 12-17

Where:           The Home Depot, 999 N. Loop W., Houston, TX 77008

Hours:            7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday May 12-17

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 have a disability and need an accommodation to access Braille, large print or American Sign Language interpreters, please let our representatives know. More information about strengthening property can be found at fema.gov/what-mitigation and 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 (FEMA), select option 2, between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For more information on Texas recovery, visit the disaster webpage for the April storms at fema.gov/disaster/4269; or visit the Texas Division of Emergency Management website at txdps.state.tx.us/dem. Follow us on Twitter @femaregion6.

# # #

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.

Originally posted here:

FEMA Offers Advice for Texans on Lessening Storm Damage in Harris County at the Lowe’s in Baytown and at the North Loop West Home Depot in Houston

BATON ROUGE, La. – The Calcasieu (Vinton) Parish Disaster Recovery Center will close on May 12 at 6 p.m.

The center is located at the following address:

American Legion Post #208
5461 Joe Courville Road
Vinton, La.

Louisiana disaster survivors in Calcasieu may still visit other 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 or (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 DisasterAssistance.gov or fema.gov/disaster/4263. Cuando llame al 800 621-3362 (FEMA) marque el 1 y escuche las instrucciones en español.

Call the helpline to:

  • Ask questions about FEMA determination letters.
  • Learn how to appeal FEMA’s determination. All applicants have the right to 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.

###

We urge everyone to continue to use caution in areas where floodwaters remain. Monitor DOTD’s 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  emergency.la.gov. GOHSEP also provides information at 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 getagameplan.org.

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.

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 haz

View post: 

Help Remains for Louisiana Disaster Survivors after Disaster Recovery Center Closes in Calcasieu Parish.

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.

###

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.

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.

Link: 

Disaster Recovery Centers Stress Accessibility for All

AUSTIN, Texas—East Texans who sustained damage or losses from the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding that began March 7, 2016 and is continuing, can now register for disaster assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The presidential disaster declaration of March 19 makes federal assistance available to eligible individuals and business owners in three counties: Jasper, Newton and Orange.

Survivors can apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone at 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may call 800-621-3362. The toll-free numbers are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

Applicants will be asked for the following information:

  • Social Security number
  • Address of the damaged primary residence
  • Description of the damage
  • Information about insurance coverage
  • A current contact telephone number
  • An address where they can receive mail
  • Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of funds

Disaster assistance for homeowners and renters may include grants to help pay for:

  • Temporary housing
  • Essential home repairs
  • Uninsured and underinsured personal property losses
  • Other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available for businesses of all sizes (including landlords), private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters. Disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries.

FEMA grants do not have to be repaid. FEMA assistance is nontaxable and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid or other federal benefits.

Registering with FEMA is required for federal aid, even if a survivor has registered with another disaster-relief organization, such as the American Red Cross. If you already called FEMA in attempts to register for assistance for damage caused by the storms and flooding, you will not need to reapply. You can call the FEMA Helpline and speak with a representative if you have any questions.

Survivors should register even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but underinsured applicants may receive help after their claims have been settled.

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

###

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.

Visit www.fema.gov/texas-disaster-mitigation for publications and reference material on rebuilding and repairing safer and stronger.

See the original article here: 

East Texas Survivors Encouraged to Register for Disaster Assistance

AUSTIN, Texas – Texas homeowners and renters with damage from the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding Oct. 22-Oct. 31 have only until Monday, Jan. 25, to register for disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Disaster survivors from the October event living in a designated disaster county—Bastrop, Brazoria, Caldwell, Cameron, Comal, Galveston, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Hays, Hidalgo, Liberty, Navarro, Travis, Willacy or Wilsonwho have delayed registration for any reason must apply by the above date to be considered for potential assistance that could include grants to help pay for:

  • Temporary housing

  • Essential home repairs

  • Uninsured and underinsured personal property losses

  • Other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

There are two ways for homeowners and renters to register for disaster assistance:

  • Log on to the FEMA website at DisasterAssistance.gov to upload documents, and
  • Call the toll-free FEMA Helpline (voice, 711 or relay service) at 800-621-3362. TTY users should call 800-462-7585. Lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

FEMA works to ensure that every disaster survivor has equal access to disaster information and assistance. Survivors needing an accommodation or assistance due to a disability may notify FEMA staff at the time of registration or anytime throughout the assistance process. American Sign Language interpreters are provided for community meetings in the disaster area and news releases are available in Spanish on the FEMA website, http://www.fema.gov/es/disaster/4245.

All applicants for disaster assistance will be asked for the following information:

  • Social Security number

  • Address of the damaged primary residence

  • Description of the damage

  • Information about insurance coverage

  • A current contact telephone number and address where they can receive mail

  • Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of funds

Jan. 25 is also the deadline to return applications for U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest disaster loans. SBA loans for businesses of all sizes (including landlords), private nonprofits,

homeowners and renters comprise the greatest source of funds for a full recovery.

Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

Businesses and nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. SBA also offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. EIDL assistance is available to businesses regardless of any property damage, but the combined limit for both is $2 million.

Eligible survivors should register with FEMA even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but under-insured applicants may receive help after their insurance claims have been settled. FEMA assistance does not affect other benefits such as food stamps, Medicaid or Social Security.

 

For more information on Texas recovery, visit the disaster web page at www.fema.gov/disaster/4245, Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem.

###

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.

Original post: 

Deadline Looms for Texans with Storm Damage

OXFORD, Miss. – The Mississippi and federal emergency agencies are operating five disaster recovery centers in Mississippi to offer a number of services to individuals affected by the December storms. The centers, located in Benton, Coahoma, Marshall, Quitman and Tippah counties, are jointly operated by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency in partnership with county and local agencies. They serve as one-stop-shops to provide community access to recovery services, referrals and information.

Anyone who needs reasonable accommodations when visiting the centers may request them by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362, or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Accommodations include American Sign Language interpreters, listening devices for the hard of hearing, magnifiers for low vision and video remote sign language interpreting. Service animals are welcome, and the centers are accessible to everyone.

While individuals are encouraged to register with FEMA before visiting a disaster center, they can use on-site services to contact FEMA and register for disaster assistance by calling 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 800-621-3362 to register. Online registration can be done at DisasterAssistance.gov by computer, tablet, iPhone, Android or other mobile device. MEMA and FEMA staff are available to answer questions on the status of applications and on special programs such as disaster unemployment assistance and disaster legal services.

Survivors are strongly encouraged to submit their claims to their private insurance providers early. If private insurance leaves coverage gaps, survivors may be eligible for FEMA assistance for their remaining needs. “Remaining needs” includes temporary lodging, personal property losses, medical or dental expenses, moving and storage fees or other costs not covered by personal insurance.

Applicants with questions about the determination letters they receive from FEMA can sit and talk with staff members who are prepared to explain the terms of the letters and to help applicants with the appeal process.

The Mississippi State Board of Contractors has provided the centers with two handouts – “A Consumer’s Guide to Home Improvement Contracts” and “Don’t Get Scammed!” – to aid people facing property repairs. State regulations require contractors to be licensed. Consumers can contact the Board’s hotline at 800-880-6161or 601-354-6161 to report fraudulent activity.

Center staff may direct storm survivors dealing with high levels of stress after the December storms to call the Mississippi Department of Mental Health hotline at 877-210-8513 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The call is free and confidential.

Business owners, homeowners, renters and private nonprofit organizations whose losses were not fully covered by their private insurance can apply for a low-interest loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration. The SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. An SBA representative is available at each center to assist applicants with the application process. 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 sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.

All of these resources are located at the following disaster recovery centers:

Benton County

Ashland Fire Department

60 Third St.

Ashland, MS 38603

Coahoma County

Clarksdale Civic Auditorium

506 East 2nd St.

Clarksdale, MS 38614

Marshall County

Spring Hollow Plaza

198 N. Memphis St.

Holly Springs, MS 38635

Tippah County

The former Magnolia Women’s Center

41 B Mitchell Ave.

Walnut, MS 38683

Quitman County

Marks Fire Department Station

108 W. Main St.

Marks, MS 38646

###

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.

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.

View original article: 

What’s Available at a Mississippi Disaster Recovery Center

 Page 3 of 12 « 1  2  3  4  5 » ...  Last »