Federal Disaster Assistance Includes Right to Appeal

AUSTIN, Texas – Not every Texan who registered for federal disaster assistance following the April storms and flooding will qualify for aid. However, an appeal process can ensure those affected by the storms will receive all aid for which they are legally eligible.

People who live or work in the following 12 counties may be eligible for assistance for the April 17-24 storms: Austin, Colorado, Fayette, Fort Bend, Grimes, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, Parker, San Jacinto, Waller and Wharton.

Applicants from those counties have 60 days from the date on FEMA’s determination letter to file their appeal. The FEMA letter describes the amount and type of assistance being offered.

Applicants who are dissatisfied with FEMA’s decision may call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 (FEMA) or TTY 800-462-7585 for information on how to file an appeal. Specialists are available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.

Additional information is available on pages 9-10 of the FEMA booklet, “Help after a Disaster: Applicant’s Guide to the Individuals & Households Program.” This free booklet is available in multilingual formats as a PDF to download at fema.gov/help-after-disaster.

To appeal FEMA’s decision, write a letter explaining why the amount or type of assistance authorized is not correct. The letter should also include:

  • applicant’s full name

  • last four digits of the applicant’s Social Security number

  • applicant’s FEMA registration number

  • the disaster number (DR-4269-TX)

  • address of the damaged property

  • current contact information

  • signature of the applicant

Sign, date and mail the letter to:

FEMA
National Processing Service Center
P.O. Box 10055
Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055

Letters may also be faxed to 800-827-8112 with a cover sheet marked: Attention – FEMA.

Texans can register the following ways:

  • online at DisasterAssistance.gov

  • phone 800-621-3362 (FEMA) or TTY 800-462-7585. Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may call 800-621-3362. Multilingual operators are available. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.

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.

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

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

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Federal Disaster Assistance Includes Right to Appeal

March 6 Deadline to Request Public Assistance Funding for Severe Storm Damage

NORTH LITTLE ROCK — State and local officials, county agencies and certain private nonprofit organizations in 32 Arkansas counties have only a few days remaining to submit a Request for Public Assistance (RPA) for federal funds to support the recovery from the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding and tornadoes, Dec. 26 – Jan. 22, 2016.

The deadline to submit the one-page RPA is Sunday, March 6, 2016.

The counties eligible for PA are: Benton, Boone, Bradley, Calhoun, Carroll, Clay, Crawford, Dallas, Drew, Franklin, Greene, Independence, Izard, Lawrence, Little River, Logan, Madison, Marion, Mississippi, Montgomery, Ouachita, Perry, Pike, Polk, Randolph, Scott, Searcy, Stone, Washington, White, Woodruff, and Yell.

Representatives from the Arkansas Emergency Management Agency, with support from FEMA, held detailed briefings for officials of governmental organizations, local officials and private non-profit organizations throughout the disaster areas to address application procedures, administrative requirements, funding and program eligibility.

Public officials and other eligible applicants who were unable to attend the briefings and want to file an RPA can download the RPA form at ADEM/PA/Applicant Packet. They may also call ADEM at (501) 683-6700 and ask to speak to the Recovery Branch.

Once a RPA is received it is processed by the state and a FEMA public assistance officer is assigned to work in partnership with the applicant to provide comprehensive information, explanations and technical assistance.

The public assistance officer focuses on the eligibility and documentation requirements that are most pertinent to an applicant. The FEMA project officer and the applicant then work together to prepare subgrant applications.

Eligible costs include debris removal, emergency protective measures (such as police, fire and medical), road and bridge repair, and repair and restoration of public buildings, utilities and recreational facilities.

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

Originally posted here – 

March 6 Deadline to Request Public Assistance Funding for Severe Storm Damage

Be Sure to Read Any Correspondence from FEMA Carefully

OXFORD, Miss. – If you applied for disaster assistance after the severe storms which affected Mississippi in December, you may have received a letter or other correspondence from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The most common reason applicants are considered ineligible is the lack of an insurance document. An applicant may only need to provide FEMA with a copy of an insurance determination letter to complete the application and continue the assistance process. Other reasons for a determination of ineligibility include:

  • The applicant did not sign the required documents;
  • The applicant did not prove occupancy or ownership;
  • The damage is to a secondary home or a rental property, not a primary residence;
  • Someone else in the household has also applied for and received help;
  • A FEMA housing inspector cannot reach the applicant by phone;
  • The applicant did not maintain the required flood insurance coverage for the damaged property.

Disaster survivors who receive a determination of ineligibility can call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585 for those who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired to find out how to appeal this decision, submit any required documents or make changes to contact information.

Applicants may also visit a disaster recovery center where specialists from FEMA can help with appeals, answer questions, review applications and accept required documents. To find a list of open disaster recovery centers in your area, visit: fema.gov/drc or call the FEMA helpline.

Furthermore, survivors have the right to appeal a determination of ineligibility in writing within 60 days from the date shown on the letter. An explanation of the appeals process is available to all applicants and can be found online at fema.gov/help-after-disaster.

Those who may not be eligible for FEMA assistance may be eligible for other programs such as an SBA low-interest disaster loan. Help may also be available from volunteer agencies.

FEMA and its state and federal partners are committed to helping Mississippi recover from December’s severe storms. Don’t let a simple paperwork issue prevent you from receiving assistance for which you may be eligible.

For the latest information on Mississippi disaster recovery operations, visit msema.org and fema.gov/disaster/4248.

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

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.

This article: 

Be Sure to Read Any Correspondence from FEMA Carefully

Sand Replacement

FEMA-1609
PA ID# 021-99021-00; Collier County
PW ID# 2700; Sand Replacement
10/02/2015

Conclusion:  On second appeal, the Applicant substantiated that an additional $6,149,099.06 for sand restoration and $1,611,405.10 for engineering, survey, and environmental compliance costs are eligible for PA funding.    

Summary Paragraph

In 2005, the Applicant was devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma which resulted in substantial sand loss on its beaches. FEMA initially prepared PW 2700 to address sand replacement at Naples Beach following Hurricane Wilma, only.  FEMA subsequently revised PW 2700 to reimburse for costs associated with replenishing Naples Beach, Vanderbilt Beach, and Park Shores following Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma and obligated Version 3 for 12,868,475.94.  Following guidance in an unrelated second appeal, FEMA Region IV deobligated $11,095,283.52 from PW 2700 in Version 6.  In a first appeal letter, the Applicant asserted that there was no technical basis for deobligating the funds, the deobligation was not based on established FEMA policies and procedures, and FEMA’s deobligation was precluded by the Stafford Act § 705(c).  The Region IV Regional Administrator (RA) partially approved the first appeal determining that $1,853,755.68 in funding would be reinstated because it represented eligible costs for dune repair, mobilization and demobilization, engineering, and survey costs that were erroneously deobligated from PW 2700.  However, the RA determined that the Applicant’s survey of losses included pre- and post-disaster sand erosion that was not eligible for PA funding, as it was not disaster-related.  In addition, the RA determined that the Stafford Act § 705(c) was not applicable because the increased scope of work was not eligible; therefore, the associated costs were inherently not reasonable.  In its second appeal, the Applicant asserts that FEMA drastically underestimated the actual amount of damage suffered by the Applicant’s beaches as a result of Hurricane Wilma and challenges the amount of funding that FEMA reinstated for engineering and environmental monitoring activities in the first appeal determination.  The Applicant requests that FEMA reinstate $6,149,099.06 for sand restoration and $3,167,206.65 for actual engineering and survey costs. 

Authorities and Second Appeals

  • Stafford Act § 406.
  • Stafford Act § 705(c).
  • 44 C.F.R. § 206.226(j).
  • OMB Circular A-87, 2 C.F.R. § 225.
  • PA Guide, at 56-61, 86-87.

Headnotes

  • The Stafford Act § 406 authorizes FEMA to reimburse costs incurred by a local government for the repair, restoration, reconstruction, or replacement of a public facility damaged or destroyed by a declared disaster.
  • Pursuant to 44 C.F.R. § 206.226(j)(2), work on an improved beach may be eligible for PA funding if the beach was constructed by the placement of sand to a designed elevation, width, and slope and the beach was maintained by periodically re-nourishing the sand through established procedures prior to the disaster.
    • The Applicant substantiated an additional 203,356 cubic yards of sand loss resulting from Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma through survey reports completed by its engineering consultant. 
    • Replacement of the additional sand loss is eligible for PA reimbursement.
  • Pursuant to OMB Circular A-87 and FEMA policy, in order to be eligible for PA funding, costs must be directly tied to eligible work and reasonable and necessary to accomplish the eligible work. 
    • The Applicant substantiated an additional $1,611,405.10 for actual engineering, survey, and environmental costs associated with its beach restoration project.

Link to article:

Sand Replacement

Eligibility

Main Content

Appeal Brief | Appeal Letter | Appeal Analysis | Back

Second Appeal Brief

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

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

Summary Paragraph

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

Authorities and Second Appeals

  • 44 C.F.R. § 206.223(a)(1).

  • PA Guide, at 29-30.

Headnotes

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

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

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

Taken from: 

Eligibility

Procurement – Reasonable Costs

Procurement – Reasonable Costs

Main Content

Appeal Brief | Appeal Letter | Appeal Analysis | Back

Second Appeal Brief

1603
PA ID# 071-02E99-00; St. Mary’s Academy
PW ID# 17387; Procurement – Reasonable Costs
08/04/2015

Conclusion: The contract security services performed at St. Mary’s Academy were improperly procured pursuant to 2 C.F.R. Part 215; however, the actual costs were reasonable under OMB Circular A-122.

Summary Paragraph

In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina caused extensive damage to St. Mary’s Academy.  FEMA determined that the facility was eligible for replacement.  The Applicant relocated the school to a temporary location and contacted security service firms via phone and email requesting bid proposals.  Based on the proposals, the Applicant selected three security firms for services from August 2007 to July 2010.  FEMA prepared several versions of PW 17387, obligating actual costs.  The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) subsequently performed OIG Audit DD-11-15, which found that the Applicant improperly procured security services by not allowing open competition.  The OIG recommended that FEMA deobligate all funding.  FEMA concurred with the OIG’s finding, but awarded reasonable costs, which FEMA determined to be the lowest rates among the proposals, deobligating $75,862.86.  In its first appeal, the Applicant argued that it properly procured security services and that the actual costs were reasonable.  FEMA denied the first appeal, finding that the Applicant did not properly procure the services, further deobligating $40,089.77 based on new information submitted in response to the Request for Information.  The Applicant reiterates its first appeal position on second appeal.

Authorities and Second Appeals

  • 2 C.F.R. § 215.0(b)(3) (2005).
  • 2 C.F.R. § 215.1.
  • 2 C.F.R. § 215.43.
  • 2 C.F.R. § 215.44.
  • 2 C.F.R. § 215.45.
  • 2 C.F.R. § 215.46.
  • OMB Circular A-122.
  • Second Appeal Analysis, Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative, Inc., FEMA-4029-DR-TX.

Headnotes

  • Per 2 C.F.R. § 215.1, Part 215 establishes uniform administrative requirements for grants awarded to Private Non-Profits.  § 215.0(b)(3) states that, where state and local governments provide subawards to a PNP, Part 215 applies. 
    • The Applicant is a PNP.
  • 2 C.F.R. § 215.43 requires that all procurement transactions be conducted in a manner to provide open and free competition, awards be made to the bidder whose bid is responsive to the solicitation, and solicitations clearly set forth all requirements to the bidder.
    • The Applicant did not provide documentation showing that it solicited bids from multiple companies.
    • The Applicant, nonetheless, selected bidders who were responsive.
  • Section 215.44 outlines procurement procedures.
    • The Applicant did not demonstrate that it had written procurement procedures.
    • The Applicant considered and selected small, minority-owned, and/or women-owned businesses, where practicable.
    • The Applicant utilized fixed-price contracts with a set number of guards at flat rates and selected responsible contractors who possessed the potential to perform successfully.
    • The Applicant did provide FEMA with procurement documents upon request.
  • Section 215.46 requires retention of procurement records containing the basis for contract selection, justification for lack of competition, and basis for award cost or price.
    • The Applicant did not provide records.
  • Section 215.62 allows FEMA to use legally available remedies when an applicant fails to comply.  OMB Circular A-122 states that a cost is reasonable if it does not exceed that which a prudent person in the same situation would incur.
    • The Applicant provided supporting documentation establishing that the selected rates were reasonable.

 

Excerpt from:  

Procurement – Reasonable Costs

Scope of Work

Main Content

Appeal Brief | Appeal Letter | Appeal Analysis | Back

Second Appeal Brief

1909
PA ID# 125-U00B3-00; Clarksville Gas and Water
PW ID# 5451; Scope of Work
07/31/2015

Conclusion:  Pursuant to the Stafford Act § 406(e) and 44 C.F.R. Parts 9 and 10, the requested scope of work is eligible for PA funding. 

Summary Paragraph

Beginning on April 30, 2010, severe storms, tornadoes, heavy rains, high winds, flooding, and flash flooding caused the creek bed of Sycamore Creek to erode and the Applicant’s gas pipes to become exposed.  During the final review of Project Worksheet (PW) 5451, FEMA denied funding for the directional boring method used by the Applicant to restore its natural gas pipes because it determined that the process was not the most cost effective method and there was no regulatory requirement for it.  Instead, FEMA obligated PW 5451 to excavate the embankment areas, remove the pipes, relocate the pipes, and backfill the embankment areas.  In the first appeal letter, the Applicant asserted that there was no conclusive evidence that the pipes were not damaged, the existing pipes could not have been reused, and natural gas regulations require operators to bury pipes in a safe manner that would prevent the pipes from becoming uncovered.  The Applicant also asserted that, due to winter weather and time constraints, directional boring was the only method that would prevent future exposure.  The Region IV Regional Administrator (RA) denied $559,964.86 in additional funding to complete the project as it was neither necessary nor cost effective, and the Applicant failed to provide a regulatory justification for the additional work performed during the restoration of its gas pipes located below Sycamore Creek.  In the second appeal, the Applicant asserts that simply replacing the lost creek bed material to pre-disaster condition was not possible because this method does not comply with federal natural gas line regulations and is prohibited by Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation requirements.  In addition, the Applicant claims the only available option was to utilize directional boring due to winter weather and time constraints.  Pursuant to the Stafford Act § 406(e) and 44 C.F.R. Parts 9 and 10, the requested scope of work is eligible for PA funding. 

Authorities and Second Appeals

  • Stafford Act § 406, 42 U.S.C. § 5172.

  • 44 C.F.R. Parts 9 and 10.

  • 44 C.F.R. § 206.201(m).

  • 44 C.F.R. § 206.205(b)(2).

  • PA Guide, at 116, 127, 128.

    Headnotes

    • The Stafford Act § 406(e)(1) authorizes FEMA to reimburse the costs to repair, restore, or replace a damaged facility to its predisaster design, function, and capacity in accordance with applicable codes and standards.

    • Pursuant to Title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations (44 C.F.R.) Parts 9 and 10, FEMA must consider and comply with Federal laws, regulations, and Executive Orders that have EHP implications.

      • Regarding PW 5451, FEMA EHP reviewed and approved a scope of work that utilized the directional boring method.

      • The scope subsequently was changed utilizing the open cut method for repair and a new EHP review was not conducted.

      • FEMA is not authorized to provide funding for the revised scope that was neither reviewed nor approved by an EHP reviewer.

As the project is otherwise eligible for PA funding, FEMA is authorized to provide funding for the original scope of work utilizing the directional boring method.

Original article – 

Scope of Work

Support Documentation

1909
PA ID# 037-52004-00; Nashville Davidson County
PW ID# 5567 & 5575; Support Documentation
07/31/2015

Conclusion:  On second appeal, Nashville-Davidson County (Applicant) provided adequate documentation to support reimbursement of costs associated with resident engineering services.

Summary Paragraph: Between April 30, 2010 and May 18, 2010, severe rainstorms, tornados, and straight-line winds, impacted Nashville-Davidson County (Applicant).  The rain-storms caused the Cumberland River to overflow and submerge portions of the fats, oils, and greases (FOG) building and the regenerative thermal oxidizer (RTO), both located at Applicant’s Metropolitan Water Services Biosolids Facility.  To document needed repairs, FEMA prepared PW 5567 for the FOG building and PW 5575 for the RTO system.  FEMA combined these two appeals because they share the same substantive issue—whether Nashville-Davidson County (Applicant) provided adequate documentation of resident engineering costs. In letters dated June 3, 2011, the Applicant filed two first appeals.  Regarding PW 5567, the Applicant requested $38,736.14 for direct administrative costs (DAC), additional contract labor costs, construction management costs, and resident engineering services.   Regarding PW 5575, the Applicant requested $113,820.22 for RTO repair costs, construction management costs and resident engineering costs.  In letters dated May 11, 2012, the FEMA Region IV Regional Administrator (RA) partially approved the appeals, approving reimbursement for facility repairs, contract management costs, and contract labor costs but denying reimbursement of DAC and resident engineering costs.  The RA based the denial of resident engineering costs on a lack of adequate documentation.  On July 24, 2012, the Applicant submitted two second appeals based solely on resident engineering costs—$16,172.00 regarding PW 5567 and $15,369.00 regarding PW 5575.  Upon FEMA’s request for additional information, the Applicant provided additional documents describing resident engineer’s services.

Continued – 

Support Documentation

Don’t Forget That Date; Appeals Must be Submitted to FEMA Within 60 Days

Those who received a letter from the Federal Emergency Management Agency should take note of the date the letter was written. Appeals or submission of missing documents must be made within 60 days of that date.

Disaster survivors may request an appeal to review their cases regarding the amount or type of federal disaster assistance available.

The appeal must be in writing and explain why you disagree with a decision. Attach any new or additional documents supporting the appeal.

Appeal letters for the April 28 through May 5 severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding should also include:

  • Federal disaster declaration number, 4176-DR-AL, on all pages of documents.
  • Applicant information including:
    • The nine-digit FEMA application number on all pages of documents,
    • Applicant’s name,
    • Applicant’s date and place of birth, and
    • Address of the damaged dwelling.
  • Copies of verifiable documentation that supports the appeal. All receipts, bills and estimates must include contact information for the service provider. Keep all originals for your records.
  • A copy of a state-issued identification or driver’s license, unless the letter is notarized or includes the following statement: “I hereby declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.”
  • The applicant’s signature.

Applicants can call the Disaster Legal Services hotline phone number, 888-857-8571. The service is available from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday for free legal help with insurance claims.

In the Huntsville area of Limestone County, call 256-539-2275. Those in Mobile and Baldwin counties can call 855-997-2857.

Mail the appeal letter to:  FEMA National Processing Service Center, P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055.

Applicants also may fax their appeal letter to: 800-827-8112, Attention: FEMA.   

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

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.

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

For more information on Alabama’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov or http://www.ema.alabama.gov/.  For the joint Facebook page, go to www.facebook.com/AlabamaEMA. To receive Twitter updates: http://twitter.com/AlabamaEMA  or www.twitter.com/femaregion4

 

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Don’t Forget That Date; Appeals Must be Submitted to FEMA Within 60 Days

Denial of Disaster Assistance May Be Appealed

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – A letter denying assistance to storm survivors may not be the last word.

Every applicant for federal assistance has the right to file an appeal for another review of their case. In filing an appeal, documentation that proves the applicant’s reason for filing the appeal must be included.

A denial letter does not necessarily mean an applicant is not eligible for assistance,” said Federal

For example, an applicant might receive a letter indicating that the Federal Emergency Management Agency did not receive all the information it needed to provide the applicant with assistance.  In that particular case, an appeal that provides all the missing information may be successful,” he said.

It is important that applicants read all letters from FEMA carefully,” added Lewis.

“We want to ensure everyone who is eligible receives all the assistance they are entitled to,” said Alabama Emergency Management Agency Director, Art Faulkner. “People should not be discouraged if they need to file an appeal to be sure they access the available help.”

Assistance may be denied because the applicant failed to provide complete information to support their initial claim.

Some reasons for a denial because of incomplete information are that the applicant did not:

  • Provide an insurance denial or settlement letter.
  • Provide proof that the damaged property was the primary residence at the time of the disaster;
  • Provide evidence of identity;
  • Provide documentation of the disaster damage;
  • Provide proof of ownership of the damaged property;
  • Sign all the documents.

If an applicant receives an award but believes the amount to be too low, an appeal for a higher award can be submitted with documentation to support the change to the award.

If an applicant’s damages and losses are covered by insurance, the application may be denied because FEMA cannot duplicate benefits.

Appeals must be postmarked within 60 days of receipt of a letter denying assistance. Applicants or someone they designate to act on their behalf must explain in writing why they believe the initial response was wrong and provide any new or additional information and documents that support the appeal.

More information on filing an appeal is in the Applicant’s Guide FEMA mails to each applicant and online at  www.fema.gov. Applicants may talk with experts daily 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. on FEMA’s toll free Helpline, 800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 800-462-7585. Applicants can check the status of their appeals by calling these same numbers or online at: www.fema.gov.

 

View original: 

Denial of Disaster Assistance May Be Appealed

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