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Recovery Includes a Plan for Long-Term Housing

BATON ROUGE, La — For Louisiana flood survivors, recovery may include short-term FEMA assistance. Keep in mind that FEMA’s housing assistance comes with periodic checks on the need for continued help—and housing plans. Recovery is about planning.

Applicants may qualify for continued assistance if they demonstrate their need and develop a longer-term or permanent housing plan or demonstrate progress in one. A contractor’s estimate on repairs or a report on repairs can point to progress. Applicants need to keep rental receipts, canceled checks or money orders showing proper use of previous rental assistance. Recovery progress can be marked by accepting the first offer of adequate, alternate housing when it becomes available.

FEMA housing occupants with no housing plans will be given information and tools to help them find available housing. The FEMA helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY, at 800-462-7585 can assist with a list of rental properties. For a rental-unit database, check https://asd.fema.gov/inter/hportal/home.htm. Survivors should keep in contact with their insurance companies, their case managers if assigned, and with FEMA; each may open a door to another recovery opportunity.

FEMA aims to be a good steward of taxpayer dollars by requiring applicants to demonstrate they have a continuing need for temporary assistance. Applications for continued assistance will be mailed to homeowners. Renters can call the FEMA helpline and ask for an application. Renters need to contact their previous landlords to find out if they will be permitted to move back into their former units.

Recovery for many Louisiana flood survivors began with finding a place to stay, a temporary refuge. With others it began with removing debris, mucking out a home or re-opening a business. Each recovery story has a beginning, a middle and an outcome defined by a more stable situation. FEMA’s assistance will not make Louisiana flood survivors whole again, but can help in making the first few important steps to recovery.

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Recovery Includes a Plan for Long-Term Housing

Hurricane Matthew Survivors Encouraged to Use Disaster Grants for Intended Purpose

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Officials urge Georgia’s Hurricane Matthew survivors to use their federal disaster aid for its intended purpose. Improperly using the funds could be a violation of the declaration survivors sign to receive the grants and could result in future assistance being denied.

Once approved for disaster grants, Georgia survivors receive FEMA aid via check or an electronic direct deposit to their checking account. They receive a letter from FEMA providing information about the grant and how the money can be spent.

Before survivors receive their grants, they must sign a declaration and a release certifying that all funds will be spent on the expenses for which they are intended.

These grants are for repairs, temporary housing and other approved, essential disaster-related costs. Disaster recovery officials are available to help survivors understand the way grants should be spent after they receive the funds. Georgia survivors who have questions about their grants should call FEMA’s Helpline at 800-621-3362.

Federal officials caution that the funds may be deposited into bank accounts before letters announcing the grants are delivered to survivors.

Housing funds may be used for:

Rental assistance. Applicants who have a continuing need for temporary rental assistance must turn in valid lease and utility receipts to receive additional assistance.
Reimbursement for lodging expenses directly related to the disaster.
Repairs to windows, doors, water and ventilation systems or other structural elements to return a home to a safe and functional condition.
Rebuilding a disaster-damaged home.

Recipients of FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance program grants may use the funds for:
Essential personal property, specialized tools for employment, household items, appliances and vehicle repair or replacement.
Disaster-related medical, dental, moving and child-care expenses.

Applicants should be sure to update their personal information including addresses, phone numbers and bank accounts. If FEMA does not have the correct contact information, disaster survivors may miss letters or phone calls about their applications for assistance or payment status.

FEMA grants cannot duplicate payments from other sources. For example, if a grant recipient receives an insurance settlement covering expenses already paid for by FEMA, those duplicated funds must be returned to FEMA.

Federal assistance is available to eligible individuals and households in Bryan, Bulloch, Chatham, Effingham, Evans, Glynn, Liberty, Long, McIntosh and Wayne counties. Damage or losses from Hurricane Matthew in Georgia must have occurred Oct. 4-15.

Survivors are encouraged to keep their information updated by logging into their account:

Online at DisasterAssistance.gov (also in Spanish).
Download the FEMA mobile app (also in Spanish).
Call the FEMA Helpline 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. Toll-free numbers are open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Help is available in most languages.

For updates on Georgia’s Hurricane Matthew response and recovery, follow @GeorgiaEMA and @FEMARegion4 on Twitter and visit gemhsa.ga.gov and fema.gov/disaster/4284.

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Hurricane Matthew Survivors Encouraged to Use Disaster Grants for Intended Purpose

FEMA Publishes Webinar Presentation on Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program

PHILADELPHIA – FEMA Region III recently hosted four webinars on the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) to help explain the program and provide guidance to potential applicants for Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 awards. In addition to encouraging participation from local fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) departments across the nation, Region III is publishing the webinar online for applicants to view. The slide deck can be accessed at https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/126678.

“The Assistance to Firefighter Grant Program is just one of FEMA’s grant programs but it has an immediate effect at the local level,” stated FEMA Region III Regional Administrator MaryAnn Tierney. “These grants provide critical equipment, supplies, vehicles, and other life saving devices to our first responders in communities across the country.”

The primary goal of the AFG is to enhance the safety of the public and firefighters with respect to fire-related hazards by providing direct financial assistance to eligible fire departments, nonaffiliated Emergency Medical Services (EMS) organizations, and State Fire Training Academies (SFTA) for critically needed resources to equip and train emergency personnel to recognized standards, enhance operations efficiencies, foster interoperability, and support community resilience.

Interested applicants should Read through the FY 2016 AFG Application Guidance Materials before applying. In addition, other FEMA regional offices and Headquarters may offer additional webinars that are open to applicants across the nation. The full schedule is available at https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/118928 and will allow applicants to gain information on the program and ask questions of national experts. The presentation is available at https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/126678. Applicants may apply through the AFG Application Portal at https://www.fema.gov/e-grant-application-access. Applicants will need a registered System for Award Management (SAM) ID.

The FY2016 AFG grant application period is open until November 18, 2016 at 5:00 pm EST. Applicants with questions on their applications or the process may contact the AFG Program Help Desk toll-free at (866) 274-0960 or by email at firegrants@dhs.gov.

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 Publishes Webinar Presentation on Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program

You Can Help to Move Your FEMA Assistance Request Forward

BATON ROUGE, La. — You can make a big difference in getting fast action on your FEMA application by providing all the information needed and then staying in touch. The state and FEMA rely on that information to process each claim.

When you register with FEMA, the facts you provide are used to determine what types of assistance you may be eligible to receive. When all the information is complete, FEMA is able to make a decision regarding your disaster aid.

There are a number of reasons flood survivors receive ineligibility letters and yet may qualify for assistance. For example, you may still need to:

Return insurance information
- If you have flood insurance, contact your insurance company and ask for a settlement letter detailing exactly what is covered under your claim.
- Hand in the letter at a disaster recovery center or mail insurance settlement information to FEMA – Individuals & Households Program
  - National Processing Service Center,
    P.O. Box 10055
    Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055
- FEMA cannot provide money to individuals or households for losses already covered by insurance.
Provide information to prove occupancy or ownership of the damaged property
- Utility bills, tax receipts, rental receipts are all proof you lived at the address.
Fill out all necessary paperwork and update your contact information
- Answer all questions on the form.
- Let FEMA know each time you move or change a phone number:
  - By going online to DisasterAssistance.gov;
  - By calling 800-621-3362 from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily;
  - 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;
  - By talking face-to-face with a specialist at a disaster recovery center. Find the closest one at fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers or by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362; or
  - By downloading the FEMA mobile app.
Complete and return the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loan application.
- Be sure to return the completed SBA loan application even if you choose to decline the loan.
- Filling out the loan application is a necessary step so you can be considered for additional forms of disaster assistance.

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You Can Help to Move Your FEMA Assistance Request Forward

Federal Aid to Rebuild Infrastructure Following Three Texas Disasters Nears Quarter Billion Dollars

AUSTIN, Texas—Three major disaster declarations affecting dozens of Texas counties—some on multiple occasions—will result in nearly one quarter-billion dollars in federal assistance to repair or replace damaged infrastructure.

FEMA said today that combined federal aid for severe weather disasters in May-June 2015; October 2015, and January 2016 will help fund recovery efforts for 3,087 individual projects among 569 applicants for Public Assistance.

Public Assistance is an element of FEMA’s disaster response that benefits everyone—neighborhoods, cities and states, as well as certain private nonprofit organizations—by reimbursing eligible work on damaged publicly-owned infrastructure.

PA dollars:

clean up the community and repair bridges
put water systems and utilities back in order
repair hospitals and emergency services
rebuild libraries and replace damaged books
rebuild schools and universities and
restore damaged public parks so families can enjoy them again.

FEMA provides a minimum of 75 percent of the cost to repair or replace disaster-damaged infrastructure.

PA projects are developed and approved by local, state, and federal officials and work is continuing on many. Payments are usually made on a reimbursement basis.

Public Assistance funding applicants can include:

state agencies
local and county governments
private nonprofit organizations that own or operate facilities that provide essential government-type services

Recovery work also continues on disasters resulting from storms this year in March, April and May-June.

Summary of Public Assistance to Three Texas Disasters

Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding	Counties	Applicants	Projects	Federal Share*
May-June 2015	110	381	2,265	$175.9 million
October, 2015	57	85	486	$40.1 million
January, 2016	51	103	336	$32.5 million
TOTALS	178	569	3,087	$248.5 million

*Current estimate

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Federal Aid to Rebuild Infrastructure Following Three Texas Disasters Nears Quarter Billion Dollars

Texans Have 30 Days Left to Register for May-June Flood Disaster Aid

AUSTIN, Texas – Texans who suffered damage or losses from the May-June storms and flooding have 30 more days to register with FEMA for federal disaster assistance.

Individuals who had disaster-related damage or losses between May 26 and June 24 and who live or work in the 24 eligible counties have until Wednesday, Aug. 10, to register for FEMA assistance.

The counties included in the federal disaster declaration are Austin, Bastrop, Brazoria, Brazos, Burleson, Eastland, Fayette, Fort Bend, Grimes, Harris, Hidalgo, Hood, Kleberg, Lee, Liberty, Montgomery, Palo Pinto, Parker, San Jacinto, Stephens, Travis, Tyler, Waller and Washington.

Applying for disaster assistance is essentially a two-step process, which ensures consideration for all FEMA programs and the U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loans. First, register with FEMA, then complete and return the no-obligation SBA loan application, if one is offered. There is no charge to apply for the loan and if approved, no obligation to accept it.

Disaster survivors in all 24 counties may register for assistance the following ways:

online at DisasterAssistance.gov
phone 800-621-3362 (FEMA). Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may also call 800-621-3362. Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.
at a disaster recovery center. To find the nearest one, go online to the disaster recovery center locator at asd.fema.gov/inter/locator.

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.

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.

A free multilingual guide to the types of assistance available can be found at fema.gov/pdf/assistance/process/help_after_disaster_english.pdf

For more information on the Texas recovery, visit the disaster webpage for the May storms at fema.gov/disaster/4272; or visit the Texas Division of Emergency Management website at txdps.state.tx.us/dem. Follow us on Twitter @femaregion6.

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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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Texans Have 30 Days Left to Register for May-June Flood Disaster Aid

Hood County Disaster Recovery Center in Granbury to Close July 9

AUSTIN, Texas – The Hood County disaster recovery center in Granbury will close at 2 p.m. on July 9.

Location:
Hood County Emergency Operations Center
401 Deputy Larry Miller Dr.
Granbury, TX 76048
Closing: 2 p.m. Saturday, July 9

Disaster recovery centers are operated jointly by FEMA and the state. Visiting a disaster recovery center is not required to register for FEMA assistance.

After the center closes, Texans whose homes or businesses were affected by severe storms and flooding May 26-June 24, can still register for assistance, get updates about applications, learn about the appeals process or check the status of their claim the following ways:

visit DisasterAssistance.gov
phone 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.

Disaster survivors can also visit other recovery centers that remain open. To find the closest one, go online to the Disaster Recovery Center Locator at asd.fema.gov/inter/locator.

Recovery officials encourage Texans who registered for disaster assistance with FEMA to stay in touch. If survivors change their addresses or phone numbers they should update FEMA with the information. Missing or erroneous information could result in delays in getting a home inspection or receiving assistance.

For more information on the Texas recovery, visit the disaster webpage for the May 26-June 24 storms at fema.gov/disaster/4272 or visit the Texas Division of Emergency Management website at dps.texas.gov/dem/. Follow us on Twitter @femaregion6.

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Hood County Disaster Recovery Center in Granbury to Close July 9

FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Centers Will Be Closed July 3-4

AUSTIN, Texas – Holiday hours for the state/federal disaster recovery centers assisting Texans affected by May’s storms and flooding have been announced by FEMA.

All disaster recovery centers in Texas will be closed Sunday, July 3 and Monday, July 4 for the Independence Day holiday. The centers will be open Saturday, July 2, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

The 19 counties included in the May flooding federal disaster declaration are: Austin, Bastrop, Brazoria, Brazos, Burleson, Eastland, Fort Bend, Grimes, Hidalgo, Hood, Lee, Liberty, Montgomery, San Jacinto, Stephens, Travis, Tyler, Waller and Washington.

Specialists from the State of Texas, FEMA, U.S. Small Business Administration, nongovernmental organizations and the local community are available at disaster recovery centers to answer questions and provide information on the types of assistance available to homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained damage as a result of the severe storms and flooding that occurred in May.

Visiting a disaster recovery center is not required to register for FEMA assistance. Survivors may register for assistance the following ways:

online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov
by phone 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.
at a disaster recovery center. To find the nearest one, go online to the disaster recovery center locator at asd.fema.gov/inter/locator.

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FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Centers Will Be Closed July 3-4

Texans Denied FEMA Aid Encouraged to Ask ‘Why?’

AUSTIN, Texas – Texans who get a letter from FEMA telling them they’re ineligible for disaster assistance should not give up—but should follow up instead.

Anyone who gets a letter from FEMA should read it carefully and call FEMA immediately if they disagree with it or have any questions. A simple error in a telephone number or a missing signature may be all that separates an applicant from federal assistance.

After registering with FEMA, applicants can expect a notice by mail about whether they qualify for federal disaster assistance:

If eligible, the letter explains the amount of the grant and how it is to be used.
If ineligible—if the grant amount reads “0”—applicants may still qualify.

A denial letter may indicate the application is missing information such as verification of occupancy of the damaged property, proof of identity, documentation of disaster damage, or what is covered under an insurance policy.

Applicants who do not receive a letter or are denied assistance should call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (FEMA) for an explanation why, or go to their account at DisasterAssistance.gov.

The 12 counties affected by the May storms are: Austin, Brazoria, Brazos, Fort Bend, Grimes, Hidalgo, Hood, Montgomery, San Jacinto, Travis, Waller, and Washington counties.

Survivors may register for assistance the following ways:

online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov
phone 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.

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.

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.

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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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Texans Denied FEMA Aid Encouraged to Ask ‘Why?’

Disaster Recovery Center to Close in Stafford in Fort Bend County June 11

AUSTIN, Texas – The disaster recovery center in Stafford in Fort Bend County will close at 2 p.m. on June 11.

Location:
United Way Fort Bend Center
12300 Parc Crest Dr.
Stafford, TX 77477

Closing:
2 p.m. Saturday, June 11

Disaster recovery centers are operated jointly by FEMA and the state. Visiting a disaster recovery center is not required to register for FEMA assistance.

After the center closes, Texans whose homes or businesses were affected by the April 17-24 storms and flooding can still register for assistance, get updates about applications, learn about the appeals process or check the status of their claim the following ways:

visit DisasterAssistance.gov
phone 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.

Disaster survivors can also visit other recovery centers that remain open. To find the closest one, go online to the Disaster Recovery Center Locator at asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm.

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 dps.texas.gov/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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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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Disaster Recovery Center to Close in Stafford in Fort Bend County June 11

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