FEMA Applicant Letters Not End of Line

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Illinois tornado survivors who registered for federal disaster assistance may receive letters from the Federal Emergency Management Agency that say they’re ineligible for help.

They can, however, turn what appears to be a ‘no’ into a ‘yes’.

Survivors can ask FEMA to review their application again if they appeal the agency’s decision within 60 days of receiving their letters.

FEMA cannot duplicate assistance that comes from insurance benefits or other government sources, but FEMA’s initial determination of ineligibility may change if private insurance or other government assistance is not enough to cover all the eligible damage.

It’s important for survivors to read their letters carefully because they provide explanations of what steps need to be taken to change the status of their request for assistance. Some of the reasons for an initial turn down can be easily remedied with more information such as:

  • Calling or writing to FEMA when a final insurance settlement is agreed upon.
  • Providing proof of ownership or residence, especially documents showing the damaged property was the primary residence at the time of the disaster.
  • Returning a completed Small Business Administration disaster loan application.
  • Signing essential documents.

Survivors can ask for another review to appeal the amount or type of help provided or any other decision about federal disaster assistance. Many issues can be resolved if applicants follow up with updated information or documentation.

When appealing, applicants should explain in writing why they disagree with a decision along with any new or additional documents supporting the appeal.

Appeal letters should include:

  • Federal disaster declaration number ‘4157-DR-IL’ on all pages of documents
  • Applicant information, including;
    • Nine-digit FEMA application number on all pages of documents
    • Name
    • Date and place of birth
    • Address of the damaged dwelling
  • Copies of verifiable documentation supporting the appeal. All receipts, bills and estimates must include contact information for the service provider. Applicants should keep all originals for their records.
  • A copy of a state-issued identification card, 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 may mail the appeal letter to:

FEMA

National Processing Service Center

P.O. Box 10055

Hyattsville, MD  20782-7055

Applicants may fax the appeal letter to:

800-827-8112

Attention: FEMA

It is important to have appeal letters postmarked within 60 days of the date on the decision letter.

If applicants have any questions about appealing, they should call 800-621-FEMA (3362) or

TTY 800-462-7585 or go to FEMA.gov/Help-After-Disaster.

For the latest information on Illinois’ recovery from the Nov. 17 storms, visit FEMA.gov/Disaster/4157. Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/femaregion5, facebook.com/fema and youtube.com/fema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.                                                                    

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.

SBA is the federal government’s primary source of funding for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts, and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For information about SBA programs, applicants may call 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339).

NEWS DESK: 217-522-2080

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FEMA Applicant Letters Not End of Line

Boulder Disaster Recovery Center to Close

DENVER – The last Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) for the September Colorado severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides is closing permanently at 3 p.m., MST, Saturday, Dec. 21.

BOULDER COUNTY

Premier Credit Union Building

5495 Arapahoe Ave.

Boulder, CO 80303

Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., MST

After the center closes, disaster survivors can call the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at 800-621-3362 to have questions answered about their disaster assistance registration, check their application status, or update their insurance claim or contact information. A FEMA representative is available at the toll-free number from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., MST, seven days a week.

Anyone with questions concerning a loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) or for information about SBA programs, go to sba.gov/disaster or call (800) 659-2955, press 2 for Spanish (TTY 1-800-977-8339).

Small businesses and most private nonprofits without physical losses have until June 16, 2014, to apply for Economic Injury Loans only.

In all, 24 DRCs were opened to help Colorado residents who had damage due to the severe weather in September.

DRCs are operated by the Colorado Office of Emergency Management and FEMA in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), county and local governments.

Multilingual phone operators are available on the FEMA Helpline. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages. People who have a speech disability or are deaf or hard of hearing may call (TTY) 800-462-7585.

Register online:  DisasterAssistance.gov or by Web-enabled device, tablet or smartphone: type

m.fema.gov in the browser.

See the article here: 

Boulder Disaster Recovery Center to Close

SBA Loans Help Individuals & Businesses on the Road to Recovery

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials, along with partners from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are encouraging homeowners, renters and businesses to apply for low-interest disaster loans to help fund their losses.

If Illinois residents apply for assistance with FEMA and are referred to the SBA, it’s important for them to submit a loan application to assure that the federal disaster recovery process continues and they keep their options open:

  • Many survivors who register with FEMA will be contacted by the SBA. Survivors can submit their SBA disaster loan applications one of three ways: by mail, in person at a Disaster Recovery Center or online at DisasterLoan.SBA.gov/ela.
  • It is important for survivors to complete and return the application as soon as possible. Filing the loan application does not obligate people to accept an SBA loan and failure to complete and submit an SBA loan application may stop the FEMA grant process. However, homeowners and renters who submit an SBA application and are declined a loan may be considered for certain other FEMA grants and programs that could include assistance for disaster-related car repairs, clothing and household items.
  • Next to insurance, an SBA loan is the primary funding source for real estate property repairs and replacing lost contents following a disaster like a tornado. Homeowners may be eligible for low interest loans up to $200,000 for repairs.
  • SBA can help renters replace their essential items. Homeowners and renters may be eligible to borrow up to $40,000 to repair or replace personal property, including automobiles damaged or destroyed in the disaster.
  • Loans for businesses and private non-profit organizations. Loans are available up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster damaged real estate, and other business assets.  Eligible small businesses and non-profits can apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. 
  • Do not wait on an insurance settlement before returning an application. Insurance may not pay for any or all of the storm-related damage. Survivors can begin their recovery immediately with an SBA disaster loan.  The loan balance will be reduced by their insurance settlement.
     

For additional information about SBA low-interest disaster loans, contact the SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955 or TTY 800-877-8339, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or visiting sba.gov/disaster. SBA customer service representatives are available at all disaster recovery centers. Centers can be found online at fema.gov/DRC.

For the latest information on Illinois’ recovery from the Nov. 17 storms, visit FEMA.gov/Disaster/4157. Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/femaregion5, facebook.com/fema and youtube.com/fema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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.

SBA provides low-interest, long term disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes. For more information, visit SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster.

NEWS DESK: 217-522-2080

###

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SBA Loans Help Individuals & Businesses on the Road to Recovery

More than $1 Million in Federal Assistance Approved for Nov. 17 Storm Survivors in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Less than a month after tornadoes swept across Illinois, more than $1 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency grant assistance has been approved to help those affected by the storms.

1,632 people have contacted FEMA for help or information regarding disaster assistance.

In addition to FEMA grants for individuals and families, other forms of disaster assistance are provided by partner agencies such as the U.S. Small Business Administration, the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army. FEMA often refers survivors to those agencies. Businesses are also referred to the SBA. Other callers may be interested in non-FEMA programs such as disaster unemployment assistance, the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or legal aid.

The following is a snapshot of the disaster recovery effort as of Dec. 10:

  • 200 households approved for FEMA grants that assist with temporary rentals and personal property loss.
  • $760,124 approved for housing grants, including short-term rental assistance and home repair costs.
  • $334,766 approved to cover other essential disaster-related needs such as medical and dental expenses and lost personal possessions.
  • 329 home inspections completed.
  • 226 visits to disaster recovery centers by people affected by the disaster.
  • 3 disaster recovery centers currently open.

No matter the degree of loss or insurance coverage, survivors are urged to apply for help. They can use any of the following methods:

  1. By phone, call 800-621-FEMA (3362) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Assistance is available in most languages. People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (TTY) 800-462-7585.
  2. Online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
  3. By tablet or smartphone, use the FEMA app or go to m.fema.gov.

Survivors who register with FEMA and are referred to SBA will be contacted with options on how to apply for a low-interest disaster loan. After being contacted by SBA, survivors should complete and submit an application even if they do not plan to accept a loan. It is part of the FEMA grant process and can pave the way for additional disaster assistance. SBA disaster loans are available with interest rates as low as 2.25 percent and terms up to 30 years.

Complete an online application at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Call the SBA customer service center with questions at 800-659-2955. People who are deaf or hard of hearing and use a TTY can call 800-877-8339. For more information, visit sba.gov.

For the latest information on Illinois’ recovery from the Nov. 17 storms, visit FEMA.gov/Disaster/4157. Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/femaregion5, facebook.com/fema and youtube.com/fema.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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.

SBA is the federal government’s primary source of funding for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts, and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For information about SBA programs, applicants may call 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339).

FEMA News Desk: 217-522-2080

###

 

Original article – 

More than $1 Million in Federal Assistance Approved for Nov. 17 Storm Survivors in Illinois

Lyons Disaster Recovery Center in Boulder County to Close

DENVER – The Lyons Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Boulder County will close permanently at 6 p.m., MST, Monday, Dec. 2.

BOULDER COUNTY
Foothills Baptist Church
12650 North Foothills Hwy.
Lyons, CO 80540
Hours for Lyons DRC: closed Thursday, Nov. 28, Thanksgiving Day.
Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., MST, Friday, Nov. 29.
Open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., MST, Saturday, Nov. 30.
Closed Sunday, Dec. 1.
Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., MST, Monday, Dec. 2.

DRCs are operated by the Colorado Office of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), county and local governments.
To find the DRC closest to you, go to fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers
Survivors with losses from the storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides will save time by registering for help from FEMA before going to the DRCs.
Register with FEMA by phone, 800-621-3362, from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., MST, seven days a week. Multilingual phone operators are available on the FEMA Helpline. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages. People who have a speech disability or are deaf or hard of hearing may call (TTY) 800-462-7585; users of 711 or Video Relay Service can call 800-621-3362.
Register online: DisasterAssistance.gov or by Web-enabled device, tablet or smartphone: type m.fema.gov in the browser.

Original post: 

Lyons Disaster Recovery Center in Boulder County to Close

FEMA Available in Diamond to Answer Questions

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency and village officials in Diamond have announced that residents affected by the Nov. 17 tornadoes can meet with disaster assistance specialists this week beginning at 8 a.m. Tuesday at the Diamond Village Hall.

Survivors can get questions answered about available federal disaster assistance programs, help with registration for assistance, and learn about other programs available from the Small Business Administration, state and local agencies and voluntary organizations. Residents must apply with FEMA even if they have already provided damage information to local officials, other agencies or organizations.

FEMA and SBA specialists are located at:                                                            

Diamond Village Hall

1750 Main Street

Diamond, IL 60416

Regular hours: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday and Friday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

The center will close Saturday, Dec. 13.

Individuals can register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. If you use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS), call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. CST seven days a week until further notice.

For the latest information on Illinois’ recovery from the Nov. 17 storms, visit FEMA.gov/Disaster/4157. Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/femaregion5, facebook.com/fema and youtube.com/fema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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.

SBA is the federal government’s primary source of funding for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts, and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For information about SBA programs, applicants may call 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339).

Media Contact: Don Jacks, 304-542-6258

###

This article: 

FEMA Available in Diamond to Answer Questions

Myth vs. Fact: The Truth about Registering for Federal Disaster Assistance

Springfield, Ill. – In the aftermath of a disaster, misconceptions about disaster assistance can often prevent survivors from applying for help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration. A good rule of thumb: register, even if you’re unsure whether you’ll be eligible for assistance.

 

Registering with FEMA is simple. You can apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov or with a mobile device by downloading the FEMA app or by visiting m.fema.gov. You can also register over the phone by calling FEMA’s helpline, 800-621-FEMA (3362). Survivors who are deaf or hard of hearing and use a TTY can call 800-462-7585. The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

Clarification on some common misunderstandings:

  • MYTH: I’ve already cleaned up the damage to my home and had the repairs made. Isn’t it too late to register once the work is done?
    FACT: You may be eligible for reimbursement of your clean up and repair costs, even if repairs are complete.
  • MYTH: I believe FEMA only makes loans so I didn’t apply for help because I don’t want a loan.          FACT: FEMA only provides grants that do not have to be paid back. The grants may cover expenses for temporary housing, home repairs, replacement of damaged personal property and other disaster-related needs such as medical, dental or transportation costs not covered by insurance or other programs.

The U.S. Small Business Administration provides low-interest disaster loans to renters, homeowners and businesses of all sizes. Some applicants may be contacted by SBA after registering with FEMA. You are not obligated to take out a loan, but if you don’t complete the application, you may not be considered for other federal grant programs. You can apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. For more information on SBAs Disaster Loan Program, visit SBA.gov/Disaster, call the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or send an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov.

  • MYTH: I don’t want to apply for help because others had more damage than I had; they need the help more than I did.
    FACT: FEMA has enough funding to assist all eligible survivors with their disaster-related needs. 
  • MYTH: I’m a renter. I thought FEMA assistance was only for homeowners for home repairs.
    FACT: FEMA assistance is not just for homeowners. FEMA may provide assistance to help renters who lost personal property or who were displaced.
  • MYTH: FEMA assistance could affect my Social Security benefits, taxes, food stamps or Medicaid.
    FACT: FEMA assistance does not affect benefits from other federal programs and is not considered taxable income.
  • MYTH: I heard registration involves a lot of red tape and paperwork.
    FACT: There is no paperwork to register with FEMA. The process is very easy and normally takes between 15 and 20 minutes.
  • MYTH: Since I received disaster assistance last year, I’m sure I can’t get it again this year.
    FACT: Assistance may be available if you suffered damages from a new federally-declared disaster.
  • MYTH: My income is probably too high for me to qualify for FEMA disaster assistance.
    FACT: Income is not a consideration for FEMA grant assistance. However you will be asked financial questions during registration to help determine eligibility for SBA low-interest disaster loans.

For the latest information on Illinois’ recovery from the Nov. 17 storms, visit FEMA.gov/Disaster/4157. Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/femaregion5, facebook.com/fema and youtube.com/fema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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.

SBA is the federal government’s primary source of funding for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts, and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For information about SBA programs, applicants may call 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339).

Media Contact: Don Jacks, 304-542-6258

###

Source: 

Myth vs. Fact: The Truth about Registering for Federal Disaster Assistance

Disaster Recovery Center in Larimer County Will Close

DENVER – The Loveland Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Larimer County will permanently close at 3 p.m., MST, on Wednesday, Nov. 27.

LARIMER COUNTY 

Rocky Mountain Center for Innovation and Technology

815 14th St. SW.

Loveland, CO 80537

DRCs are operated by the Colorado Office of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), county and local governments.

To find the DRC closest to you, go to fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers

Survivors with losses from the storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides will save time by registering for help from FEMA before going to the DRCs.

Register with FEMA by phone, 800-621-3362, from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., MST, seven days a week.  Multilingual phone operators are available on the FEMA Helpline. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages. People who have a speech disability or are deaf or hard of hearing may call (TTY) 800-462-7585; users of 711 or Video Relay Service can call 800-621-3362.

Register online:  DisasterAssistance.gov or by Web-enabled device, tablet or smartphone: type m.fema.gov in the browser.

 

Continue reading here:  

Disaster Recovery Center in Larimer County Will Close

Disaster Recovery Centers will be Closed on Thanksgiving Day

DENVER – FEMA’s Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) will close at 3 p.m., MST, on Wednesday, Nov. 27, and remain closed on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28.

All five DRCs – Boulder, Estes Park, Evans, Longmont and Lyons – will reopen at 9 a.m., MST, on Friday, Nov. 29.

To find the DRC closest to you, go to fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers

DRCs are operated by the Colorado Office of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), county and local governments.

Survivors with losses from the September storms and flooding will save time by registering for help from FEMA before going to the DRCs.

Register with FEMA by phone, 800-621-3362, from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., MST, seven days a week.  Multilingual phone operators are available on the FEMA Helpline. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages. People who have a speech disability or are deaf or hard of hearing may call (TTY) 800-462-7585; users of 711 or Video Relay Service can call 800-621-3362.

Register online:  DisasterAssistance.gov or by Web-enabled device, tablet or smartphone: type m.fema.gov in the browser.

 

From:

Disaster Recovery Centers will be Closed on Thanksgiving Day

FEMA Registration and SBA Disaster Loan deadline is one week away

DENVER – Colorado residents and business owners with damage from September’s severe weather have only one week left to register for help from FEMA. There is also only one week left to apply for a low-interest disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

The deadline for both is Dec. 2, 2013, for those with physical losses.

Filling out the SBA loan application is an important step toward recovery. No one has to accept a disaster loan, but completing and returning the application may open the door to other forms of assistance, such as additional FEMA grants.  

Small businesses and most private nonprofits without physical losses have until June 16, 2014 to apply for Economic Injury Loans only.

You can register with FEMA and have questions answered by calling the Helpline – 800-621-3362 – from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., MST, seven days a week. Multilingual phone operators are available on the FEMA Helpline. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages. People who have a speech disability or are deaf or hard of hearing may call (TTY) 800-462-7585; users of 711 or Video Relay Service can call 800-621-3362.

Register online:  DisasterAssistance.gov or by Web-enabled device, tablet or smartphone: type    m.fema.gov in the browser.

You also can also have FEMA and SBA questions answered by a specialist at a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). To find the DRC closest to you, go to fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers

More here – 

FEMA Registration and SBA Disaster Loan deadline is one week away

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