Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Obama’s major disaster declaration issued for Alaska.

Assistance for Affected Individuals and Families Can Include as Required:

  • Rental payments for temporary housing for those whose homes are unlivable.  Initial assistance may be provided for up to three months for homeowners and at least one month for renters.  Assistance may be extended if requested after the initial period based on a review of individual applicant requirements.  (Source: FEMA funded and administered.)
  • Grants for home repairs and replacement of essential household items not covered by insurance to make damaged dwellings safe, sanitary and functional.  (Source: FEMA funded and administered.)
  • Grants to replace personal property and help meet medical, dental, funeral, transportation and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other federal, state and charitable aid programs.   (Source: FEMA funded at 75 percent of total eligible costs; 25 percent funded by the state.)
  • Unemployment payments up to 26 weeks for workers who temporarily lost jobs because of the disaster and who do not qualify for state benefits, such as self-employed individuals.  (Source: FEMA funded; state administered.)
  • Low-interest loans to cover residential losses not fully compensated by insurance.  Loans available up to $200,000 for primary residence; $40,000 for personal property, including renter losses.  Loans available up to $2 million for business property losses not fully compensated by insurance.  (Source: U.S. Small Business Administration.)
  • Loans up to $2 million for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes that have suffered disaster-related cash flow problems and need funds for working capital to recover from the disaster’s adverse economic impact.  This loan in combination with a property loss loan cannot exceed a total of $2 million. (Source: U.S. Small Business Administration.)
  • Loans up to $500,000 for farmers, ranchers and aquaculture operators to cover production and property losses, excluding primary residence.  (Source: Farm Service Agency, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.)
  • Other relief programs: Crisis counseling for those traumatized by the disaster; income tax assistance for filing casualty losses; advisory assistance for legal, veterans’ benefits and social security matters.

Assistance for the State, Tribal, and Affected Local Governments Can Include as Required:

  • Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for removing debris from public areas and for emergency measures taken to save lives and protect property and public health, including direct federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program.(Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)
  • Payment of not more than 75 percent of the approved costs for hazard mitigation projects undertaken by state and local governments to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural or technological disasters.  (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)

How to Apply for Assistance:

  • Those in the area designated for assistance to affected individuals and business owners can begin the disaster application process by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or by web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov.  Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice. Applicants registering for aid should be prepared to provide basic information about themselves (name, permanent address, phone number), insurance coverage and any other information to help substantiate losses.
  • Application procedures for local governments will be explained at a series of federal/state applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials. Approved public repair projects are paid through the state from funding provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies.

# # #

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

Original article: 

Federal Aid Programs for the State of Alaska Disaster Recovery

AURORA, Ill. – The summer cooling season has arrived in Illinois and those in areas affected by the April 16 to May 5 storms may be eligible for repair or replacement of heating, ventilation and cooling systems (HVAC) if they were damaged or destroyed by flooding and were not covered by insurance.

“FEMA’s mission includes ensuring that all homes affected by the flooding are habitable,” said W. Michael Moore, federal coordinating officer for the disaster. “In order for homes to be habitable, furnaces and central air conditioning systems must be in good working order.”

Federal disaster assistance may cover the cleaning and testing of a flood-damaged HVAC system and replacement if the unit was destroyed because of storms during the incident period. To be considered, Illinois residents must first register for assistance from FEMA by the Tuesday, July 9 deadline.

Those who discover their HVAC system needs repair or replacement after they already received a FEMA grant for this disaster that did not include money to repair their HVAC system can file an appeal for additional disaster funds. However, the appeal must be made within 60 days of the date of the original grant or determination letter.

When filing an appeal, survivors must submit a letter requesting additional funds and a verifiable estimate or an itemized receipt by a contractor that states that the estimate or actual cost paid is not an upgrade, that the repair was necessary to make the home habitable and is disaster related.

Applicants may be eligible for costs related to the repair or replacement of the furnaces, including the cost for labor. If the furnace is located on the ground-level floor or basement, FEMA encourages the applicant to elevate the unit.

Low interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration also cover repairs to HVAC systems.  Disaster survivors with insurance should not wait for an insurance settlement before applying to the SBA.  If survivors do not know how much of their loss will be covered by insurance or other sources, the SBA will consider making a loan for the total loss up to its loan limits, provided the borrower agrees to use insurance proceeds to reduce or repay their SBA loan.

It is important that anyone receiving an SBA disaster loan application complete and return it. Returning the application does not obligate you to accept an SBA loan; however, it is a necessary step to be considered for other additional forms of federal disaster assistance.

It is not necessary to visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) to register with FEMA. Individuals can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. People who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) can call 800-621-3362. For more information visit the Illinois Disaster website www.fema.gov/disaster/4116.

Multilingual phone operators are available on the FEMA helpline. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages.

The deadline to register for FEMA disaster assistance is Tuesday, July 9.

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 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.

Media Contact: 571-408-1835

Read the article – 

Disaster Assistance May be Available for HVAC Systems

AURORA, Ill. – Illinoisans who sustained damages during the April 16 to May 5 severe weather are encouraged to register with FEMA for disaster assistance before the registration period ends on July 9, 2013.

The registration process normally takes less than half an hour. Applicants will need to provide a social security number, current and pre-disaster address and phone number, insurance information and total household annual income. An applicant’s banking information (routing and account number) will be needed for direct deposit into an applicant’s account.

“We want to make sure all eligible residents get the assistance to which they are entitled,” said W. Michael Moore, the federal official in charge of disaster recovery. “However, to get help, residents must register.”

To date, more than $98.4 million in FEMA Individual Assistance has been approved. The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved disaster loans for residents and businesses of more than $15.0 million.

You can use the Disaster Recovery Center locator to find the nearest DRC, but it is not necessary to visit a DRC to register with FEMA.

Applicants may call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Multilingual phone operators are available on the FEMA helpline. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages.

People who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) can call 800-621-3362.

Online registration is available at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. For more disaster assistance information, visit FEMA’s Illinois disaster website www.fema.gov/disaster/4116.

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 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.

Media Contact: 571-408-1835

 

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Disaster Registration Deadline Three Weeks Away

AUSTIN, Texas – West, Texas residents affected by the April 17 fertilizer plant explosion are encouraged to register for disaster assistance from the state of Texas and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) before the June 18 deadline.

Survivors can register now at www.disasterassistance.gov, via smartphone at m.fema.gov, or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585.  Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. FEMA phone lines operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

“As we approach the June 18th deadline, we encourage anyone who has not yet registered with FEMA to do so now,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Kevin L. Hannes of FEMA.  “Even if you think your damages may be covered by insurance, register now and let us determine your eligibility.” 

Low-interest disaster assistance loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are also available to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, nonprofit organizations whose property was damaged or destroyed by this disaster.

“Even residents who believe they have complete insurance coverage often find they have a substantial shortfall and need additional financial help,” Hannes continued. “We remain committed to helping West survivors until they have received all the state and federal assistance they are eligible to receive.”
  
SBA’s Disaster Assistance will continue to be available beyond FEMA’s June 18 deadline. The filing deadline to return SBA applications for property damage is July 1, 2013.  The deadline to return economic injury applications is February 3, 2014.

For more information about SBA’s Disaster Assistance, contact the SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659 2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov.  Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (800) 877 8339.  Applicants may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.
http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.  Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call (800) 877-8339. 

Continue reading:  

FEMA Registration Deadline Approaching for West, Texas Survivors

AURORA, Ill. – The four FEMA/state Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) have changed their hours of operation. They will continue to be open Monday through Saturday; however, beginning Monday, June 17, the hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The DRC locations are:

Chicago                                                                                 

North Park Village                                         

5801 N. Pulaski, Bldg. C                                                       

Chicago, IL 60646     

 

Chicago

Royal Savings Bank

9226 S. Commercial Ave.

Chicago, IL 60617

                                                                       

Cook County                                                

Forest View Fire Department                                     .      

7010 W. 46th                                                                         

Forest View, IL 60402          

 

Cook County

1486 Miner St.

(Next to Des Plaines Theater)            

Des Plaines, IL 60016

                       

DRC services include help with applying for disaster assistance and finding out about other disaster programs available from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), state and local agencies, and voluntary organizations. To receive assistance, residents must apply with FEMA even if they already provided damage information to local officials, other agencies or organizations.

The former DuPage County DRC will transition to an SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) on Monday, June 17, and will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. until further notice. At the DLOC, SBA customer service representatives will issue disaster loan applications, answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process, help individuals complete their application and close their approved disaster loans.

The DLOC location is:

 

DuPage County

Lisle Police Department

5040 Lincoln Ave.

Lisle, IL 60532

 

It is not necessary to visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) to register with FEMA. Individuals can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. People who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) can call 800-621-3362. For more information visit the Illinois Disaster website www.fema.gov/disaster/4116.

Multilingual phone operators are available on the FEMA helpline. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages.

The deadline to register for FEMA disaster assistance is Tuesday, July 9.

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 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.

Media Contact: 571-408-1835

 

View original:  

New Hours of Operation for FEMA/State DRCs

AURORA, Ill. Federal assistance in Illinois has reached more than $94 million, distributed among more than 35,400 individuals and households, since a major disaster was declared for the state May 10.

The latest summary of federal assistance to individuals and households for losses due to the severe storms and flooding between April 16 and May 5 includes:

  • More than $94 million in FEMA grants approved for individuals and households;
  • Of that amount, more than $82 million has been approved for housing assistance, including temporary rental assistance and home repair costs;
  • More than $12 million has been approved to cover other essential disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses and damaged personal possessions;
  • More than 49,500 home inspections have been completed to confirm disaster damage;
  • More than $12.8 million in loans to homeowners, renters or business owners has been approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration; and
  • More than 3,000 visits have been made to Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) operated jointly by FEMA and the state of Illinois.

Residents of 33 counties in the major disaster declaration have until July 9 to register for federal assistance. Three Disaster Recovery Centers closed this week – in Peoria, Rock Island and Woodford counties.  FEMA staff continues to set up temporary offices in affected locations to provide registration assistance.

Public Assistance (PA) was previously approved for 24 Illinois counties. Another 15 counties were added this week bringing the total to 39 counties. Eligible counties now include Adams, Bureau, Calhoun, Carroll, Cass, Clark, Crawford, DuPage, Fulton, Greene, Grundy, Hancock, Henderson, Kendall, Knox, Lake, LaSalle, Lawrence, Livingston, Marshall, Mason, McHenry, McDonough, Mercer, Monroe, Morgan, Ogle, Peoria, Pike, Putnam, Rock Island, Schuyler, Scott, Shelby, Stark, Tazewell, Warren, Will and Woodford.

PA provides local governments and certain eligible nonprofits with funding for debris removal, emergency protective measures and infrastructure repairs such as building roads and bridges. This assistance is on a cost-sharing basis with FEMA paying 75 percent and the remainder the responsibility of the state and local governments. State-led applicant briefings are under way.

Hazard Mitigation teams are located at six home improvement stores to provide information on how to repair or rebuild stronger and safer to help avoid damage from future storms.

Once they have registered, survivors can keep the process moving forward by using these tips:

  • Keep critical appointments. A FEMA-contracted inspector will make an appointment to visit the property. Homeowners should be there for the inspection, or authorize someone who is 18 or older and lived in the home at the time of the disaster to represent them during the inspection.
  • Read all FEMA letters and documents. Applicants deemed eligible for disaster assistance will receive a letter from FEMA providing guidance on the disaster relief grant. The document will explain ways the money can be spent for recovery and explain that federal assistance may have to be repaid if it is duplicated by insurance or other assistance received.
  • Return forms and respond promptly. Sometimes FEMA sends letters indicating that more information is necessary before approval. Applicants should read the correspondence carefully and promptly return the necessary information.
  • Stay in touch with FEMA to update an address, phone number or e-mail address.

Accepting a U. S. Small Business Administration loan is not necessary, but applying for one is required as part of the FEMA application process:

  • Survivors may receive an SBA loan application package. Loans are available for homeowners, renters, businesses and private nonprofit organizations to repair or replace real estate, contents and/or personal property damaged in the severe storms and flooding.
  • Fill out and return these forms promptly. It is not necessary to accept a loan, but this application must be completed before certain grants and other programs can be considered.
  • SBA representatives at Disaster Recovery Centers will assist in completing the loan application as well as answer any questions. Information and assistance from SBA also is available at 800-659-2955, (TTY) 800-877-8339. Survivors also can apply online at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.

It is not necessary to visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) to register or stay in touch with FEMA. Individuals can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. People who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) can call 800-621-3362. For more information, visit the Illinois Disaster website www.fema.gov/disaster/4116.

Multilingual phone operators are available on the FEMA helpline. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages.

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 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.

Media Contact: 571-408-1835

 

Original article: 

Federal Disaster Aid to Illinois Residents Tops $94 Million

Warwick, R.I.–More than $39.4 million in support from four federal disaster relief programs is helping Rhode Island recover from Hurricane Sandy’s effects.

“Federal assistance has reduced Sandy’s financial impact on public facilities and affected individuals,” said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer James N. Russo. “FEMA continues working to assure that all receive the maximum disaster aid we can provide.”

Federal assistance for Hurricane Sandy was authorized November 3, 2012, by a major disaster declaration for Bristol, Kent, Newport, and Washington counties for FEMA’s Public Assistance program. Additionally, FEMA’s Individual Assistance program was authorized for Newport and Washington counties.

“Rhode Island is grateful for all of the federal support we have received,” said Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee “We hope that this funding will help the state to repair damages and be more resilient as we start hurricane season.”

The majority of the support is from FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program which has paid more than $31.1 million for more than 1,000 claims.

In addition to NFIP claims payments, federal aid includes:

• Public Assistance: more than $5.3 million in grants for state and local agencies and some private nonprofits

• Individual Assistance: more than $423,000 in grants paid directly to eligible individuals and families to meet basic needs for housing and cover other essential disaster-related expenses

• U.S. Small Business Administration: more than $2.6 million in low-interest disaster recovery loans to Rhode Island homeowners, renters and business owners of all sizes

FEMA’s PA program has approved more than 260 projects to reimburse local and state agencies for 75 percent of eligible Sandy-related costs. These include emergency response, debris removal, and repair or replacement of facilities or infrastructure.

“As we continue to recover from Hurricane Sandy damage and face the beginning of another hurricane season, it is a reminder that the best way to assure you can rebuild if your home or business is damaged or destroyed by flooding is to buy flood insurance,” Russo said. “Flooding is one of the biggest concerns during a hurricane. Anyone who does not already have flood insurance should consider buying it now.”

For information on flood insurance, visit www.floodsmart.gov. For information on PA or IA programs, visit http://www.riema.ri.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.

Link:  

Federal Support for Rhode Island Sandy Recovery Exceeds $39.4 Million

AURORA, Ill. – Federal assistance in Illinois has reached more than $82.4 million, distributed among more than 30,200 individuals and households, since a major disaster was declared in the state May 10.

The latest summary of federal assistance to individuals and households that suffered losses due to the severe storms and flooding between April 16 and May 5 includes:

  • More than $82.4 million in FEMA grants approved for individuals and households;
  • Of that amount, more than $72 million approved for housing assistance, including temporary rental assistance, home repair costs and assistance toward replacing destroyed homes;
  • More than $10 million approved to cover other essential disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses and damaged personal possessions;
  • More than 42,000 home inspections completed to confirm disaster damage;
  • More than $7.7 million in loans to homeowners, renters or business owners has been approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration; and
  • More than 2,300 visits to Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) operated jointly by FEMA and the state of Illinois.

Eleven counties in Illinois were included in the initial declaration, but on May 22, an additional
14 counties were added for individual assistance. On May 31, another eight counties were added.

Residents of 33 counties in the major disaster declaration can now register for federal assistance. The counties include Brown, Bureau, Calhoun, Clark, Cook, Crawford, DeKalb, Douglas, DuPage, Fulton, Grundy, Henderson, Henry, Kane, Kendall, Knox, Lake, LaSalle, Livingston, Marshall, Mason, McDonough, McHenry, Peoria, Pike, Rock Island, Schuyler, Stark, Tazewell, Whiteside, Will, Winnebago and Woodford.

Public Assistance also has been approved for 24 Illinois counties. This program includes funding for debris removal, emergency protective measures and infrastructure projects such as roads and bridges. This assistance is on a cost-sharing basis with FEMA paying 75 percent with the remainder the responsibility of the state and local governments.

Hazard Mitigation teams are located at six home improvement stores throughout the area providing information on how to repair or rebuild stronger and safer to help avoid damage from future storms.

Survivors may be eligible for additional services including federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) for those who worked or were scheduled to begin work in one of the 33 counties declared for Individual Assistance. The assistance extends to self-employed individuals, farm workers and others who have lost income as a result of the storm and flooding from April 16 to May 5. DUA applications are available at Illinois Department of Employment Security offices. For office locations, call 800-244-5631 or go online to www.ides.illinois.gov/myoffice.

Legal aid is another service available to survivors who have legal issues related to the disaster. The Young Lawyers Division of the Illinois American Bar Association provides this free service for low-income individuals and families. Attorneys can advise on a variety of issues, including securing FEMA and other government services; life, medical and property insurance claims; and replacing wills and other important documents. Call 855-875-3362 for more information.

For those feeling symptoms of stress, anxiety or depression the “TalkWithUs” helpline can provide information for adults and children in distress related to this disaster.  Help is available in English and Spanish. The helpline number is 800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746. The service is available
24 hours a day. TTY is 800-846-8517.

It is not necessary to visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) to register with FEMA. Individuals can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. People who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) can call 800-621-3362. For more information, visit the Illinois Disaster website www.fema.gov/disaster/4116.

Multilingual phone operators are available on the FEMA helpline. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages.

SBA low-interest disaster loans may be available for homeowners, renters, businesses and private nonprofit organizations of all sizes to repair or replace real estate, contents and/or personal property damaged in the severe storms and flooding. Information and assistance from SBA is available at
800-659-2955, (TTY) 800-877-8339 or online at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.

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 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.

Media Contact: 571-408-1835

 

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Federal Disaster Aid to Illinois Residents Tops $82 Million

AUSTIN, Texas – An initiative launched by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in coordination with the state of Texas is aimed at finding additional disaster assistance for West, Texas residents affected by the April 17 explosion.

Under the initiative, all 764 applicants who have registered with FEMA will be receiving follow-up phone calls from FEMA outreach liaisons. The 100 percent review is designed to identify any unmet needs and work with survivors to provide any additional assistance they may be eligible to receive.

FEMA’s Outreach specialists are helping applicants with the appeal process, explaining letters they may have received from FEMA, assisting applicants with gathering insurance documentation needed for their claims and providing referrals to local voluntary agencies, long term recovery resources within the community, other state agencies and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for  low-interest disaster loans.

So far, outreach specialists have reached more than 567 applicants and will continue to call each survivor until all applicants have been contacted. 

“The recovery process is stressful for those who suffered great losses, and we want to make sure all survivors get the maximum assistance they are eligible to receive,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Kevin L. Hannes of FEMA. “Our proactive approach will continue until every registered applicant in McLennan County has been contacted.”

Since the fertilizer plant explosion, the state of Texas, FEMA and the SBA have approved more than $6.5 million in federal disaster assistance grants and low-interest disaster loans for eligible individuals and families in McLennan County. The grants are for temporary housing, home repair and reconstruction, and for other needs, including personal property replacement or disaster-related medical and dental expenses. This total also includes more than $5.86 million in low-interest disaster loans approved from the SBA. These federal disaster loans help pay for residential and business property losses as well as disaster working capital needs for eligible small businesses and nonprofit organizations.

West survivors are encouraged to register with FEMA if they have not already done so. Residents can register now at www.disasterassistance.gov, via smartphone at m.fema.gov, or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585.  Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. Phone lines operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. The registration deadline for FEMA assistance is June 18.

SBA’s Disaster Assistance will continue to be available beyond June 18. The filing deadline to return SBA applications for property damage is July 1, 2013.  The deadline to return economic injury applications is February 3, 2014.

For more information about low-interest disaster loans, contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659 2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov.  Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (800) 877 8339.  Applicants may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Original article:  

FEMA Working With Plant Explosion Survivors to Identify Unmet Needs

AUSTIN, Texas –Homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained damages from the April 17 fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas have two weeks left to register for disaster assistance from the state and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The registration deadline for FEMA disaster assistance is June 18.

“We’re urging residents with explosion-related damages to apply for FEMA assistance before June 18 and keep us posted of any insurance settlements they may receive,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Kevin L. Hannes of FEMA. “This allows us to continue processing their registrations for any unmet needs.”

A U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) is open at the POINTWEST Bank located at 210 N. Roberts Rd in West, Texas. The DLOC hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday until further notice. At the DLOC, SBA representatives will answer questions, explain the application process, help individuals and businesses apply for low-interest disaster loans and close their approved disaster loans.  FEMA Individual Assistance specialists are available at the DLOC to answer questions and provide information on the types of disaster assistance available from FEMA.

“Residents are encouraged to visit the DLOC or they may contact our FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 with any specific questions or concerns,” said Hannes. “We remain committed to helping West survivors until they have received all the state and federal assistance they are eligible for and we will be here as long as needed.”  

SBA’s Disaster Assistance will continue to be available beyond June 18. The filing deadline to return SBA applications for property damage is July 1, 2013.  The deadline to return economic injury applications is February 3, 2014.

Survivors should register now at www.disasterassistance.gov, via smartphone at m.fema.gov, or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585.  Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. FEMA phone lines operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

For more information about SBA’s Disaster Assistance, contact the SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659 2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov.  Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (800) 877 8339.  Applicants may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

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FEMA Registration Deadline Two Weeks Away for West, Texas Plant Explosion Survivors

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