Applicants Urged to Stay in Touch with Fema

CLINTON, Miss. – Mississippians who applied for FEMA assistance are urged to stay in touch with the agency for several reasons even after disaster recovery centers closed Oct. 12.

Applicants can track their claims and should notify FEMA of changes to their mailing addresses, phone numbers or email addresses and if they receive insurance settlements or discover additional damages.

Those who have not registered for FEMA assistance are urged to do so before the registration deadline of Oct. 31.

Here is how to reach FEMA:

  • Go online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
  • Call m.fema.gov from a Smartphone.
  • Dial 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585.
  • For those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services, call 800-621-3362.

The toll-free numbers are operated from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

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

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Applicants Urged to Stay in Touch with Fema

Survivors With Lapsed Flood Insurance Can Still Get FEMA Help

CLINTON, Miss. – Hurricane Isaac survivors in Mississippi who let their flood insurance policies lapse may be able to receive federal disaster assistance.

Survivors who received their policies through a Federal Emergency Management Agency grant but let their policies lapse are ineligible for federal disaster loans or grants to be used for home repairs. However, FEMA is reaching out to them because they are eligible for grants that would pay for a temporary place to stay if their primary residence is uninhabitable as a result of the storm.

Some insurance policies are issued under a FEMA Group Flood Insurance Policy, which are funded by a portion of a survivor’s FEMA grant money. Once policies expire after three years, renters and homeowners are required to purchase and maintain flood insurance policies from the National Flood Insurance Program to continue their insurance protection.

Only survivors who have maintained their NFIP policies can be considered for home repair disaster grants or loans if the property had damages during Hurricane Isaac. However, all survivors are eligible to be considered for grants that would pay for temporary housing assistance.

Survivors with uninsured or underinsured damages can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via smartphone at m.fema.gov. They may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

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.

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Survivors With Lapsed Flood Insurance Can Still Get FEMA Help

FEMA Determination Letters Are Not The End Of The Line

 

CLINTON, Miss. – Within 60 days of a decision letter from FEMA, Hurricane Isaac survivors in Mississippi can ask the agency to review their case again.

Some of the reasons for an initial determination of ineligibility can be easily remedied with more information such as:                    

  • Calling or writing to FEMA when a final insurance settlement is agreed upon.
  • Indicating a willingness to re-locate to another residence; answering “Yes” to this question indicates flexibility in considering other temporary housing solutions but does not commit an applicant to move.
  • Providing proof of ownership or residence, especially documents showing the damaged property was the primary residence at the time of the disaster.
  • Returning the SBA disaster loan application.
  • Signing essential documents.

Survivors can ask for another review to appeal the amount or type of help provided or any otherdecision about federal disaster assistance. Many issues can be resolved and allow applicants to receive disaster assistance.

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

Appeal letters for Hurricane Isaac also should include:

  • Federal disaster declaration number 4081-DR-MS 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 that supports the appeal. All receipts, bills and estimates must include contact information for the service provider. Keep all originals for your records.
  • A copy of a state-issued identification 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 can call the Disaster Legal Services hotline phone number at 877-691-6185 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday for free legal help with insurance claims. They can also call the Mississippi Insurance Department at 800-562-2957.

 

Mail the appeal letter to:

FEMA

National Processing Service Center

P.O. Box 10055

Hyattsville, MD  20782-7055

 

Applicants may fax their 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 the letters, they should call 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585 or go to www.fema.gov/help-after-disaster.

Link:

FEMA Determination Letters Are Not The End Of The Line

SBA Disaster Loan Application Is Win-Win Situation – Apply Before Win-Window Closes

Clinton, Miss. – Disaster recovery officials are concerned that many homeowners and renters with Hurricane Isaac losses could miss out on valuable grants and low-interest loans by not returning completed applications to the U.S. Small Business Administration.

“This is a win-win situation for everybody who received a disaster loan application from the SBA, even if they’re leaning away from a loan,” said Mississippi Emergency Management Director Robert Latham. “If the SBA is not able to approve your home loan application, you could be referred back to FEMA for a possible grant. And if you qualify for a loan, there is no obligation to take it.” 

Many disaster survivors receive loan applications from the SBA after registering with FEMA for help. Loan applications are also available from disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/. Property damage loan applications must be returned to the SBA no later than Oct. 31, 2012.

Business owners, although not eligible for grants, can apply for low-interest SBA disaster loans to cover uninsured losses to business assets such as real estate, machinery, equipment, inventory and more. 

Small businesses can also qualify for economic injury disaster loans. These working capital loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred. 

SBA representatives are at each of the MEMA/FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers and SBA Business Recovery centers to provide information about disaster loans and offer assistance filing disaster loan applications. To locate a center or learn more about SBA disaster loans, call 800-659-2955,
(TTY) 800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing or send an e-mail to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov.

To start all forms of disaster assistance, visit DisasterAssistance.gov, m.fema.gov or call 800-621-3362.

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

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

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

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SBA Disaster Loan Application Is Win-Win Situation – Apply Before Win-Window Closes

Free Rebuilding Advice From FEMA At 84 Lumber And Walker Hardware

CLINTON, Miss. – Mississippi residents who suffered damage from Hurricane Isaac can get free advice on rebuilding stronger, more disaster-resistant homes and buildings from FEMA.

Visit one of the following locations in Harrison County through Saturday, Oct. 6.

84 Lumber

3804 25th Ave.

Gulfport, MS 39501

Hours:

Tuesday – Friday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday – 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 

Walker Hardware

19079 Pineville Rd.               

Long Beach, MS 39560

Hours:

Tuesday – Friday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday – 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 

 

The in-store events are geared toward both do-it-yourself projects and building contractors.

Specialists provide free publications and offer helpful advice about making repairs, rebuilding and retrofitting damaged structures. They also can make recommendations on:

  • Preparing for emergencies.
  • Repairing roofs.
  • Clearing out and reconstructing flooded buildings.
  • Cleaning up mold and mildew.
  • Protecting electrical systems and appliances.
  • Reinforcing structures from high wind.
  • Elevating buildings in flood prone regions.
  • Buying flood insurance.

Learn more about ways to protect your home and property on FEMA’s web site at DisasterAssistance.gov under Mitigation.

Additional information is available online:

Once a major storm hits, it’s too late to protect your home and property. There are things you can do now to reduce damage from high winds and water from future storms.

Protecting your property from flooding can involve a variety of actions from elevating a home in flood prone regions to ensuring water properly drains away from the building.

This report presents flood proofing techniques that can be used for existing residential structures.

FEMA has prepared this guide specifically for homeowners who want to know how to protect their homes from flooding.

This publication shows how flood-prone houses in south Florida were elevated above the
100-year flood level following Hurricane Andrew. Alternative elevation techniques are also demonstrated.

Flooding in residential areas is bound to happen in flood-prone areas resulting in property damage. This manual is for designers, developers, builders, and others who wish to build elevated residential structures in flood-prone areas.

###

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.

Original source: 

Free Rebuilding Advice From FEMA At 84 Lumber And Walker Hardware

Five More Counties Designated For Disaster Assistance

CLINTON, Miss. – Five additional Mississippi counties affected by Hurricane Isaac have been designated to receive Individual Assistance from FEMA.

Survivors who had losses in Copiah, Franklin, Jefferson, Jones and Lamar counties are now eligible to register for assistance. Adams, Amite, Clarke, Forrest, George, Hancock, Harrison, Hinds, Jackson, Lincoln, Marion, Pike, Pearl River, Stone, Walthall, Warren and Wilkinson counties were previously designated.

Applicants should register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by mobile device at m.fema.gov. If online or mobile access is unavailable, applicants should call the FEMA toll-free Helpline at 800-621-3362. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services should call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

Homeowners and renters can register for federal disaster assistance that may help pay for:

  • Temporary housing;
  • Home repairs;
  • Other serious disaster-related expenses not met by insurance or other assistance programs; and
  • Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration that may cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.

People in the newly designated counties who have already registered for federal disaster assistance do not need to do so again. If they have any questions about their applications for disaster assistance, they should call 800-621-3362.

FEMA inspectors are currently visiting the primary residences of disaster applicants in Mississippi to assess damages related to Hurricane Isaac. Inspectors are private contractors and always display identification badges. They will contact applicants to make appointments before visiting properties.

###

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

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

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

 

 

Continue reading:

Five More Counties Designated For Disaster Assistance

Mississippi Disaster Recovery Centers Change Hours Beginning Oct. 1

CLINTON, Miss. – The nine disaster recovery centers helping Mississippians affected by Hurricane Isaac remain open Monday through Saturday and closed on Sundays but with new hours, beginning Monday, Oct. 1.

Recovery centers are open in these counties between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Visit any center for assistance.

Forrest County

Forrest County Community Shelter

946 Sullivan Drive

Hattiesburg, MS 39401

Hancock County

Hancock County Resource Center

454 Highway 90

Waveland, MS 39576

Harrison County

County Farm Road 361 Shelter 

15035 County Farm Road

Gulfport, MS 39503

Jackson County

Jackson County Fairgrounds

4761 Vega St.

Pascagoula, MS 39567
 

 

 

Lincoln County

Army National Guard Armory

182 Highway 84 East  

Brookhaven, MS 39601

 

Marion County

Marion County Development Partnership

412 Courthouse Square

Columbia, MS 39429

Pearl River County

Mississippi National Guard Armory

1251-B Highway 11 South

Picayune, MS 39466

                                    

Walthall County

Walthall County Library

707 Union Road

Tylertown, MS  39667

 

 

 

 

 

Pike County

Community Safe Room

2017 Quinlivan Road

Magnolia, MS 39652

 

 
 

 

Federal disaster assistance can include grants for rental assistance and home repairs, low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help recover from the effects of the disaster.

Representatives of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration will be at the centers to explain assistance programs and help survivors apply for disaster aid.

Before going to a disaster recovery center, people with storm losses are encouraged to register with FEMA online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone at m.fema.gov. Applicants also may call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. If you use 711 or Video Relay Service call
800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

###

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.

Source:

Mississippi Disaster Recovery Centers Change Hours Beginning Oct. 1

Free Rebuilding Advice From FEMA At A Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse

CLINTON, Miss. – Mississippi residents who suffered damage from wind and flooding from Hurricane Isaac can get free advice on rebuilding stronger, more disaster-resistant homes and buildings from FEMA.

Specialists have free publications and can offer helpful advice about making repairs, rebuilding and retrofitting damaged structures. They also can make recommendations on:

  • Preparing for emergencies.
  • Repairing roofs.
  • Clearing out and reconstructing flooded buildings.
  • Cleaning up mold and mildew.
  • Protecting electrical systems and appliances.
  • Reinforcing structures from high wind.
  • Elevating buildings in flood prone regions.
  • Buying flood insurance.

Visit one of the following Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouses today through Monday, Oct. 1.

 

Hinds County

2250 Greenway Drive

Jackson, MS

Hours:

Monday-Saturday 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

Sunday 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

 

Madison County

910 East County Line Rd.               

Ridgeland, MS

Hours:

Monday-Saturday 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

Sunday 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

 

 

The in-store events are geared toward both do-it-yourself projects and building contractors.

Learn more about ways to protect your home and property on FEMA’s web site at www.FEMA.gov under Mitigation.

Additional information is available online:

Once a major storm hits, it’s too late to protect your home and property. There are things you can do now to reduce damage from high winds and water from future storms.

Protecting your property from flooding can involve a variety of actions from elevating a home in flood prone regions to ensuring water properly drains away from the building.

This report presents flood proofing techniques that can be used for existing residential structures.

FEMA has prepared this guide specifically for homeowners who want to know how to protect their homes from flooding

This publication shows how flood-prone houses in south Florida were elevated above the 100-year flood level following Hurricane Andrew. Alternative elevation techniques are also demonstrated.

Flooding in residential areas is bound to happen in flood-prone areas resulting in property damage. This manual is for designers, developers, builders, and others who wish to build elevated residential structures in flood-prone areas.

###

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

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

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

This article is from: 

Free Rebuilding Advice From FEMA At A Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse

$11.6 Million Approved In Disaster Assistance For Hurricane Isaac

CLINTON, Miss. – Approximately $11.6 million in state and federal aid has been approved to help those affected by Hurricane Isaac following Mississippi’s presidential disaster declaration.                                    

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and Federal Emergency Management Agency provide the following snapshot of the disaster recovery effort as of Sept. 24:

  • Approximately 5,000 households have received FEMA grants that assist with housing and personal property loss.
  • Approximately $9.9 million has been approved for housing grants, including short-term rental assistance, home repair and replacement costs.
  • Approximately $1.7 million has been approved to cover other essential disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses and lost personal possessions.
  • Approximately 16,000 home inspections have been completed.
  • There have been approximately 6,800 visits to 16 disaster recovery centers by people affected by the disaster.

Approximately 21,500 survivors in declared counties have contacted FEMA for help or information regarding disaster assistance. Many people are seeking housing assistance from FEMA because their primary home is unlivable or inaccessible.                                               

For survivors who have needs not met by federal assistance, the FEMA helpline (800-621-3362) serves as a good source of information referring survivors to state and local organizations and partner agencies such as the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Survivors also can call 2-1-1 to be connected to volunteer or faith-based organizations that may be able to help them with resources and needs.

People can register with FEMA in any of the following methods:

  1. Online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
  2. By tablet or smartphone, use the FEMA app or go to m.fema.gov.
  3. 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.

Businesses that need help may contact the SBA directly at the SBA Disaster Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339), send an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or go to https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/ to apply.

###

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

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

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

 

Read article here: 

$11.6 Million Approved In Disaster Assistance For Hurricane Isaac

Wilkinson County Disaster Center Open Through Wednesday

CLINTON, Miss. – The MEMA/FEMA disaster recovery center for Wilkinson County, located at the Wilkinson County Industrial Complex, 1495 U.S. Highway 61 South, Woodville, will close effective 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26.

After that date, people affected by Hurricane Isaac still can register or get help online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or visit a recovery center in another county.

In addition to going on line, other ways to get assistance include:

  • By smartphone at m.fema.gov;
  • By phone, call 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily;
  • TTY 800-462-7585; and
  • Video Relay Service, call 800-621-3362.

To find a disaster recovery center nearest you, go online to the DRC Locator at: https://asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/drcLocator.jsp. Or, call
800-621-3362.

###

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.

See original: 

Wilkinson County Disaster Center Open Through Wednesday

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