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Second Berkeley DRC Opens

COLUMBIA, S.C. (Monday, Nov. 7) – A Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) opens in Dillon County on Tuesday at 9 a.m. It will be open weekdays 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and closed Sundays until further notice.

Located at the Latimer Elementary School, 134 Latimer St., Latta, SC 29565, the DRC is staffed by representatives from the State of South Carolina, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Small Business Administration and representatives from various state agency and voluntary organizations. Survivors of the storms and floods that came with Hurricane Matthew can expect information on federal disaster assistance programs, guidance on disaster recovery, an explanation of written FEMA correspondence, and help with other disaster-related questions.

FEMA mitigation specialists are available at DRCs to provide literature to survivors on the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and guidance on cost-effective rebuilding and repair techniques to make homes more flood resistant. For more specific NFIP questions, you can call the NFIP Support Call Center by dialing 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) and pressing 2.

DRCs are accessible to people with disabilities. The centers have tools to amplify sound, magnifiers and materials in alternative formats along with video remote interpretation. Sign language interpreters are available upon request at the center.

If possible, you should register with FEMA before visiting the DRC. You can register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or call 800-621-3362 (voice, 711 or video services) or 800-462-7585 (TTY). The toll-free lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, until further notice. Multilingual operators are available.

You can find the locations of other DRCs online at DisasterAssistance.gov, at “Quick Links.”

After registering with FEMA, survivors may also be eligible for low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). SBA offers such loans to businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters. SBA loans are for uninsured or underinsured disaster losses. SBA advises it is not necessary to wait for an insurance settlement before submitting the loan application.

You can receive weather alerts, safety tips and learn about disaster resources by downloading the free FEMA App, available for Apple, Android, and Blackberry mobile devices. Visit fema.gov/mobile-app for more information.

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 https://twitter.com/femaregion4 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

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.

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Second Berkeley DRC Opens

Second Recovery Center opens in Beaufort County

COLUMBIA, S.C. (Wednesday, Nov. 2) – Beaufort County survivors of the storms and floods of Hurricane Matthew can get information and disaster assistance from the specialists staffing the county’s second Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in the Town Hall Council Chambers, 1 Town Center Court, Hilton Head, SC 29928. The center is open weekly Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. until further notice. It is closed on Sunday.

Representatives from the State of South Carolina, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Small Business Administration and voluntary organizations are at the DRC to provide guidance concerning disaster recovery and rental resources, explain written correspondence from FEMA, inform survivors of the status of their application, make referrals to other organizations and to answer questions.

If possible, survivors should register with FEMA before visiting the DRC. Registration can be online at DisasterAssistance.gov, or by calling 800-621-3362 (voice, 711 and video services) or 800-462-7585 (TTY). The toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

FEMA mitigation specialists are available at DRCs to provide literature to survivors on the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and guidance on cost-effective rebuilding and repair techniques to make homes more flood resistant. For more specific NFIP questions, survivors can call the NFIP Support Call Center by dialing 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) and pressing 2.

The other Beaufort County DRC is at the Burton Wells Recreation Center, 1 Middleton Recreation Dr., Beaufort, SC 29906. It is open Monday – Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and closed Thursday through Sunday.

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Second Recovery Center opens in Beaufort County

Disaster Aid Doesn’t Affect Government Benefits

COLUMBIA, S.C. (Wednesday, Nov. 2) – With the start of a new month you may wonder if the disaster assistance you received from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will reduce your Social Security checks or other benefits, or raise your income tax bill.

No need to worry! Federal disaster assistance does not count as income. Social Security payments or Medicare benefits are not affected by disaster relief payments from the government or donations from charitable organizations. And, disaster recovery grants will not affect anyone’s eligibility for welfare assistance, Medicaid, food stamps or Aid to Families with Dependent Children. Grants for disaster recovery assistance are not counted as income in determining eligibility for any income-tested benefit program that the U.S. government funds.

Likewise, eligibility for FEMA assistance is not dependent on income. The amount of disaster assistance an eligible applicant receives is based on the amount of loss and damage incurred as a direct result of the storms and floods from Hurricane Matthew.

Survivors of Hurricane Matthew have until December 13 to register with FEMA for disaster assistance by one of the following methods:

Call 800-621-3362 (voice, 711 or video services) or 800-462-7585 (TTY). Lines are open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and multilingual operators are available.
Apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
Visit a Disaster Recovery Center. To find the one nearest you, check “Quick Links” at DisasterAssistance.gov. DRCs are accessible to people with disabilities. The centers have tools to amplify sound, magnifiers and materials in alternative formats along with video remote interpretation. Sign language interpreters are available upon request at the center.

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Disaster Aid Doesn’t Affect Government Benefits

Berkeley County Disaster Recovery Center opens

COLUMBIA, S.C. (Tuesday, Nov. 1) – A mobile Disaster Recovery Center will roll into Berkeley County Nov. 2 for four days to offer disaster assistance to survivors of the storms and floods of Hurricane Matthew. The DRC will set up shop at the Alvin Recreation Center, 2191 Santee River Rd., St. Stephen, SC 29479. It will be open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday – Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. It is scheduled to close at 6 p.m. Nov. 5.

Representatives from FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration, voluntary organizations and various state agencies will be on hand to answer questions, provide guidance on disaster recovery and rental resources, explain written correspondence from FEMA and make referrals to other agencies.

If possible, register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) before visiting the DRC. Registering is the first step toward qualifying for disaster assistance, which may include grants to help renters and homeowners pay for temporary housing, personal property replacements and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

It’s easy to register with FEMA:

Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov
Call toll-free 800-621-3362 (711, voice or video relay services) or 800-462-7585 (TTY). Lines are open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. until further notice.
Visit the Alvin Recreation Center DRC or one of the ten other Disaster Recovery Centers

(DRCs) operating in Beaufort, Dorchester, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Marion, Orangeburg and Williamsburg counties. Find the addresses of the DRCs at “Quick Links” on DisasterAssistance.gov.

After registering with FEMA, survivors may also be eligible for low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). SBA offers such loans to businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, renters and homeowners. SBA loans are for uninsured or underinsured disaster losses.

SBA advises it is not necessary to wait for an insurance settlement before submitting the loan application.

Source:

Berkeley County Disaster Recovery Center opens

FEMA’s letter of eligibility: Read it very carefully

COLUMBIA, S.C. (Saturday, Oct. 29) — Following initial application review by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), South Carolina survivors who have applied for disaster assistance will receive a “letter of eligibility.” Applicants may be told they are eligible for disaster assistance or that they have been determined ineligible.

If you are eligible, the letter explains the amount of your grant and how it is to be used. If the letter says you are ineligible, the grant amount reads “0”, but in many cases that is not the last word.

FEMA officials in South Carolina report that the most common reasons for denial of assistance in Hurricane Matthew are:

Insufficient storm-related damage to affect the habitability of the damaged home. FEMA will provide assistance to assure your home is habitable – that it is safe, functional and sanitary.

Survivors have chosen to remain in their damaged homes while repairs are being made. In these cases they may be eligible to receive assistance for repairs, but are ineligible for housing assistance.
Duplication of applications. Two people (husband and wife, for example) have applied for assistance for the same damaged home. Only one application per household is allowed.

A letter may indicate your application is missing information such as verification of occupancy or proof that the damaged property was your primary residence at the time of the Hurricane Matthew storms and flooding that began Oct. 4, 2016.

If you are instructed, you can simply submit missing documentation to FEMA online, by mail or fax, or by visiting a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). You can find the location of the nearest DRC by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov .

Applicants who do not receive a letter or who have questions about their determination of denial should call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 for an explanation, or visit their FEMA account at DisasterAssistance.gov.

A copy of “Help After a Disaster” will be included with your letter of determination. The booklet explains additional assistance that may be available to survivors and answers questions about filing an appeal.

Any applicant that has been denied assistance may file an appeal. Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 or visit a DRC for more information about the appeal process. You can submit your appeal and the required documentation online at DisasterAssistance.gov.

In South Carolina, the “One SC Fund” supports and directs funds to nonprofit organizations providing disaster relief & recovery assistance. For more information, visit yourfoundation.org/community-impact/one-sc-fund-sc-flood-relief/. Survivors in the state who need food, clothing, and shelter are urged to call 2-1-1, and for storm clean up to call 800-451- 1954.

For more information, visit the South Carolina Emergency Management Division at scemd.org/recovery-section/ia .

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 or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). If you have a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

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.

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FEMA’s letter of eligibility: Read it very carefully

By the Numbers

COLUMBIA, S.C. (Thursday, Oct. 27) – In the three weeks since Hurricane Matthew struck South Carolina spawning damaging storms and floods, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and U.S. Small Business Administration have approved more than $21.8 million in disaster assistance grants, loans and flood insurance payments.

As of the close of business Oct. 26, FEMA had approved $15.2 million through its Individuals and Households Program, and nearly $5 million in National Flood Insurance Program payments.

Additionally, the U.S. Small Business Administration has approved 42 low-interest disaster loans for

$1,670,500.

Survivors have until Dec. 13, 2016 to complete the FEMA application process. The State of South Carolina and FEMA encourage anyone with housing needs caused by the devastating storms and floods of Hurricane Matthew to register for disaster assistance.

Visit DisasterAssistance.gov.
Call toll-free 800-621-3362 (voice, 711 or video relay services) or 800-462-7585 (TTY). Lines are open daily until further notice.
Visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) for help. Eight DRCs are operating in Orangeburg (2), Marion (2), Williamsburg, Dorchester, Horry and Florence counties. Representatives from FEMA, SBA and various state agencies are on hand to answer questions.

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By the Numbers

Help for Renters

COLUMBIA, S.C. (Tuesday, Nov. 1) – With so much attention given to businesses and homeowners, survivors who are renters may think they are not eligible for disaster assistance even though they suffered losses from the storms and floods spawned by Hurricane Matthew. But they are.

Like homeowners, renters must first register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA):

Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov
Call toll-free 800-621-3362 (711, voice or video relay services) or 800-462-7585 (TTY). Lines are open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. until further notice.
Visit one of the nine Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) operating in Beaufort, Dorchester, Florence, Horry, Marion, Orangeburg and Williamsburg counties. Find the DRC closest to you at “Quick Links” on DisasterAssistance.gov. Representatives from FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration and various state agencies are on hand to answer questions.

Registering with FEMA is the first step toward qualifying for disaster assistance, which may include grants to help renters and homeowners pay for temporary housing, personal property replacements and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

After registering with FEMA, renters may also be eligible for low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). SBA offers such loans to businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, and homeowners as well as renters. SBA loans to renters may cover the cost of repairing or replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property.

For more information on SBA loans, call SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800 659-2955 or 800 877-8339 for TTY; email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or visit http://www.sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also apply online at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela for the Electronic Loan Application on SBA’s secure website.

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Help for Renters

Three South Carolina Counties Added for Individual Assistance

COLUMBIA, S.C. (Tuesday, Oct. 25) – Homeowners and renters in three more South Carolina counties – Berkeley, Charleston and Chesterfield – are now eligible to receive Individual Assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help them recover from flooding caused by Hurricane Matthew.

There are now 24 South Carolina counties eligible for federal disaster assistance. Of those counties, 23 also are eligible for 75 percent cost reimbursement for debris removal and emergency protective measures resulting from the hurricane. Additional reimbursement is available to 18 of those counties for repair or replacement of public works facilities damaged or destroyed by the hurricane and flooding, also at 75 percent of cost.

The county itself, its cities and towns and certain nonprofits that perform quasi-government functions are eligible to apply for public assistance grants.

All Public Assistance reimbursements are a benefit to taxpayers in those counties to the extent that they do not have to pay for the needed repairs and replacements through higher tax assessments.

Individual Assistance is available to homeowners and renters in these 24 counties: Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Berkeley, Calhoun, Charleston, Chesterfield, Clarendon, Colleton, Darlington, Dillon, Dorchester, Florence, Georgetown, Hampton, Horry, Jasper, Lee, Marion, Marlboro, Orangeburg, Sumter and Williamsburg.

The first step for individuals and households to receive assistance is to register with FEMA. There are no costs involved to receive FEMA assistance.

Disaster survivors may register in any of the following ways:

Online at DisasterAssistance.gov;
On the FEMA Mobile App;
Calling 800-621-3362 (FEMA);
Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may also call 800-621-3362;
People 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 11 p.m., seven days a week; Multilingual operators are available.

Assistance for eligible survivors can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, and for other serious disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs. Also, low-interest disaster loans from the U. S. Small Business Administration are available for businesses of all sizes (including landlords), private nonprofits, homeowners and renters.

The grants are intended to enable repair of a dwelling to the extent necessary to be safe, sanitary and secure for the number of occupants who live there. It is not a substitute for insurance coverage.

Households that have flood insurance are not eligible for an Individual Assistance grant unless their flood insurance is not enough to match FEMA’s minimum repair standard.

Renters and homeowners with flood insurance should register with FEMA in case their insurance coverage does not provide the necessary level of repair. The registration period ends 60 days after the initial disaster declaration, but those who register remain eligible to receive benefits after registration closes.

In South Carolina, the “One SC Fund” supports and directs funds to nonprofit organizations providing disaster relief & recovery assistance. http://yourfoundation.org/community-impact/one-sc-fund-sc-flood- relief/. Survivors in the state who need food, clothing, and shelter to call 2-1-1, and for storm clean up to call 800-451-1954.

For more information, visit the South Carolina Emergency Management Division at http://scemd.org/.

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.

Three South Carolina Counties Added for Individual Assistance

Don’t Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today.

CHICAGO –September is National Preparedness Month, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) encourages everyone to make disaster preparedness a priority.

“National Preparedness Month serves as a reminder that we all need to prepare for disasters and emergencies,” said Andrew Velasquez III, FEMA Region V Administrator. “Plan in advance so your family knows what to do if a disaster strikes: how you will get to a safe place; how you will contact one another; how you will get back together; and what you will do in different emergency situations.”

Severe weather and other emergencies can strike with little or no warning and can have disastrous impacts. Already this year, the Midwest has experienced several waves of destructive storms, tornadoes and flooding. Whether at home or on the go, be aware of emergency plans in place wherever your family spends their time: work, daycare and school, houses of worship, sports events and commuting. Be disaster ready, wherever you may be.

It’s simple to start planning for emergencies: download the Family Communication Plan for Parents and Kids on Ready.gov/make-a-plan and fill out the sections before printing it or emailing it to your family and friends. Consider also downloading the free FEMA app, available for your Android, Apple or Blackberry device, so you have the information at your fingertips to prepare for severe weather.

Throughout the month, FEMA will offer tips to help you be better prepared, including steps you can take to protect yourself and your family. Follow FEMA Region V online at twitter.com/femaregion5 and www.facebook.com/fema, to receive the latest preparedness updates.

For detailed information about how to be ready for severe weather in your area, including a list of items you will want to have in your emergency kit, visit www.ready.gov, or our Spanish site at www.listo.gov.

Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/femaregion5, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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Media Contact: Cassie Ringsdorf, 312-408-4455

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Don’t Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today.

Ten Safety Tips for this 4th of July

CHICAGO –Ensure your Independence Day weekend is filled with celebration and not regret with these 10 fire safety tips, from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region V office in Chicago:

Be sure fireworks are legal in your area before using or buying them.
Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities and never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks. Sparklers alone account for one quarter of emergency room fireworks injuries.
If you set off fireworks, keep a bucket of water handy in case of malfunction or fire.
If fireworks malfunction, don’t relight them! Douse and soak them with water then throw them away.
Never ignite fireworks in a container, especially one that is glass or metal.
Use your grill well away from your home and deck railings, and out from under branches or overhangs.
Open your gas grill before lighting.
Periodically remove grease or fat buildup in trays below your gas or propane grill so it cannot be ignited.
Declare a three-foot “kid and pet-free zone” around the grill to keep them safe.
Avoid loose clothing that can catch fire when cooking on the grill.

You can find more information and tips on being fire safe this Fourth of July, by visiting www.usfa.fema.gov and be sure to download the FEMA app, available for Apple, Android and Blackberry mobile devices. The app includes home fire safety tips and reminders users can set to test smoke alarms (monthly), change smoke alarm batteries (yearly), and practice fire escape plans (every six months).

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Media Contact: Cassie Ringsdorf, 312-408-4455

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Ten Safety Tips for this 4th of July

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