Warren, Mich. – Michigan homeowners, renters and business owners in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties may be eligible for additional grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other agencies.

Filling out a disaster loan application from the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is a necessary step for homeowners and renters to be considered for some other forms of disaster assistance. If the SBA is unable to approve a loan, the applicant may be referred back to FEMA for some other type of disaster aid.

Survivors are not required to accept a SBA low-interest disaster loan, but information provided on the loan application may be used to help determine eligibility for a variety of FEMA programs that can help renters rebuild their lives.

“Renters are tightly woven into the fabric of Michigan and their recovery is crucial to Southeast Michigan,” said Michigan State Police Capt. Chris A. Kelenske, State Coordinating Officer and Deputy State Director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. “Many renters have registered with FEMA and are receiving housing assistance.”

Renters, like homeowners, may be eligible for FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance, designed to help survivors with uninsured or underinsured necessary expenses. It’s important for survivors to understand that they must complete and return their SBA loan application in order to be eligible for Other Needs Assistance grants.

“Completing and returning the SBA application is a crucial step,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Dolph A. Diemont.  “People who fail to apply could miss out on FEMA grants that may be available to them.”  

These low-interest loans can be used for:
•    Replacement or repair of necessary personal property lost or damaged, household items such as room furnishings or appliances, and tools and equipment required by the self-employed for their jobs
•    Primary vehicles and approved second vehicles damaged by the disaster

Homeowners and renters who want to apply for a SBA low-interest loan may be eligible for up to $40,000 for personal property losses.
•    Homeowners may borrow up to $200,000, with interest rates as low as 2.063 percent. These loans are available to homeowners to repair/replace primary residences if not fully compensated by insurance or some other source.
•    Businesses may borrow up to $2 million at interest rates as low as 4.0 percent for any combination of physical damage or economic injury.
•    The term of a low-interest disaster loan can be up to 30 years.

The deadline to apply for FEMA assistance or an SBA disaster loan is Nov. 24, 2014. The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 25, 2015.

A simple way to complete the application is online, using the SBA’s electronic loan application. Go to https://DisasterLoan.SBA.gov/ELA. More information is available by calling the SBA Disaster Customer Service Center toll-free number, 800-659-2955; TTY users call 800-877-8339. Assistance is also available by sending an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov or by visiting sba.gov.

Individuals can register with FEMA online at DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 (Voice, 7-1-1/Relay) or TTY users call 800-462-7585. The phone lines operate 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. EDT, seven days
a week.

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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. 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.
 

Excerpt from:

Michigan Residents Urged To Complete and Submit SBA Applications

WARREN, Mich. – Local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties are eligible to apply for federal disaster funds due to the severe storms and flood damage that occurred from Aug. 11-13.

The major federal disaster declaration for severe flooding and storms requested by Gov. Rick Snyder and granted by President Obama on Sept. 25 makes public assistance available in the form of grants to those affected local governments and eligible nonprofit organizations.

Projects covered include debris removal, emergency protective measures and permanent restoration of public facilities and infrastructure, such as schools and roads.

Those applicants that are eligible and want to apply for aid must complete and submit a Request for Public Assistance (RPA) form to the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (MSP/EMHSD) by Oct. 25.

After the MSP/EMHSD receives the RPA form, state and federal agencies will provide one-on-one assistance to discuss damages, assess needs and put a plan of action in place.

“We want to make sure all eligible local governments and nonprofit organizations have the opportunity to complete and submit this form,” said Capt. Chris A. Kelenske, State Coordinating Officer and commander of the MSP/EMHSD. “It only takes a few minutes to complete.”

Federal Emergency Management Agency Federal Coordinating Officer Dolph A. Diemont further emphasized, “The application is a necessary first step in receiving the dollars communities need to recover and rebuild.”

Last week, representatives from the MSP/EMHSD and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) conducted applicant briefings with community officials throughout the affected disaster areas in southeast Michigan. These meetings addressed application procedures, administrative requirements, funding and program eligibility.

Public officials and other eligible applicants who want to file an RPA form on behalf of their community or private nonprofit organization should go to www.michigan.gov/miflood for more information.

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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. 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.

English: http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4195

Spanish: http://www.fema.gov/es/disaster/4195

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Deadline Approaching for Governments and Nonprofits to Apply for Federal Assistance

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to the Territory of American Samoa to supplement territory and local recovery efforts in the area affected by severe storms, flooding, and landslides during the period of July 29 to August 3, 2014.

The President’s action makes federal funding available to territory and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by severe storms, flooding, and landslides in the Territory of American Samoa.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for the Territory of American Samoa.

Kenneth K. Suiso has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area.  Suiso said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the territory and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, 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. 

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.

Read article here: 

President Declares Disaster for American Samoa

MONTGOMERY, Ala.  – Some Alabamians saw their homes and cars destroyed by this spring’s tornadoes and floods while others saw their jobs or businesses demolished.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is helping put the state’s economy back on track, not only by providing financial assistance to families and state and local governments, but also by hiring Alabama residents to help with the recovery efforts and spending money in the local economy.

The agency has hired 18 Alabamians in various positions around the state, according to Federal Coordinating Officer Albie Lewis, the head of FEMA’s recovery mission in Alabama.

“The positions are short-term temporary jobs working in numerous areas of the recovery operation but they are critical to our efforts and to helping the state get back on its feet,” Lewis said. “We take our responsibility to hire local people very seriously and we’re delighted with the quality of employees we’ve found.”

Alabamians have been hired to perform tasks that include performing administrative duties, serving as information technology specialists and couriers, and even assisting with media relations.

In addition, FEMA has roughly 230 personnel working around the state, most of them at the agency’s Joint Field Office in Montgomery where they share offices with U.S. Small Business Administration and state workers.

“This is the equivalent of a medium-sized business locating here in our downtown,” said Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange.  “The impact on local businesses can’t be understated. It’s a huge boost to our economy.”

“We really want to put local people to work, not only to help Alabama’s economy but to take advantage of their knowledge of the communities in which we are operating,” said Alabama State Coordinating Officer Jeff Byard.

The Montgomery Joint Field Office has already signed contracts with local businesses for more than $500,000 worth of goods and services, as well as purchasing roughly another $48,000 more with cash or charge cards.

“We not only purchase supplies and services from local businesses but our staff rents cars, stays in hotels, shops in stores and eats in local restaurants. They have their families come to visit them,” said Albee. “That adds up to a tremendous economic impact.”

FEMA personnel have been in Alabama since late April and are expected to remain in the state until late summer, though the number of people will be declining as work is completed.

 

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FEMA local hires and spending boost Alabama’s economy as tornado recovery continues

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – As Alabamians clean up the damage left by the April 28 to May 5 severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding and begin to rebuild, federal officials are offering help on how to make the next natural disaster less destructive.

Specialists with the Federal Emergency Management Agency will be appearing at Lowe’s home improvement stores around Alabama, to offer residents information about rebuilding their flood- and wind-damaged homes to make them better able to withstand future disasters.

“Our mitigation specialists can really help with rebuilding after a disaster,” said FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer, Albert “Albie” Lewis. “We can show you cost-effective ways to make your home or business ‘better and safer’ the next time tornadoes, flooding or some other disaster strikes.”

Mitigation advisors can provide valuable information on how to reinforce structures against flooding and other hazards, how to construct a safe room, and information on the National Flood Insurance Program.

They can also offer advice on rebuilding structures to resist high winds, mold and mildew cleanup, and how electrical systems, furnaces and other appliances can be protected from flooding. Free publications on a variety of rebuilding and recovery topics will also be available.

“As our state rebuilds, we should take every step we can to make our homes, businesses, and communities more resilient,” said Alabama’s State Coordinating Officer, Jeff Byard. “Spending just a little more today could save lives and property the next time a disaster strikes.”

Mitigation teams will be at the following stores on the following dates from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.:

Limestone County
June 6-7, June 9-11
Lowes Store # 1799
1109 US Highway 72 East
Athens, AL 35611

Etowah County
June 13-14, June 16-18
Lowes Store #1640
615 George Wallace Dr.
Gadsden, AL 35903

Tuscaloosa County
June 13-14, June 16-18
Lowes Store #2488
5703 Mcfarland Blvd
Northport, AL 35476

Baldwin County
June 13-14, June 16-18
Lowes Store #577
3101 South Mckenzie Hwy 59
Foley, AL 36535

In addition to the mitigation advisors, an Individual Assistance representative will also be on hand to provide general information about assistance to survivors. For specific case information, survivors can contact FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).

To download materials on a variety of topics about strengthening property against tornadoes, flooding or other hazards, visit:

Source – 

FEMA to Offer Alabama Residents Advice on How to Rebuild ‘Better and Safer’

PHOTO: Disaster Survivor Assistance Team member, Patricia Wiedmer

MONTGOMERY, Ala – Within two weeks in early May, Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams knocked on 3,000 doors in Alabama’s hardest hit areas to assess survivor needs after the April 28 to May 5 severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding.

In one instance, they were told about a woman with special needs who was unable to register with FEMA. The team visited her residence and registered her on the spot using their government-issued tablet computer.

These teams, totaling 67 FEMA specialists, are tasked with helping survivors by being the eyes and ears on the ground. They assess, inform and report issues to the proper authorities; assist survivors in their own homes or neighborhoods to apply for FEMA grants; guide survivors in the registration process, follow-up on pre- or post-survivor needs; and coordinate with local, tribal and state governments and other partners.

“They have the ability to help people on the spot,” said Albie Lewis, FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer for Alabama. “They serve as a walking Disaster Recovery Center going door-to-door and people have been very receptive to the service.”

FEMA DSA teams are made up of disaster specialists as well as FEMA Corp members, 18- to 24-year olds who for 10 months volunteer their time to FEMA and the emergency management field.

The teams currently are canvassing eight counties that sustained some of the worst damage. They visit homes, businesses, organizations and high-traffic areas providing survivor support and coordinating with officials. The counties include Baldwin, Blunt, DeKalb, Etowah Jefferson, Limestone, Mobile and Tuscaloosa.

DSA specialists, who travel in pairs, are easy to spot – they wear FEMA badges as well as navy blue shirts, jackets and/or hats that say FEMA.

Originally posted here:  

FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams Blanket Alabama to Meet Survivors’ Needs

Little Rock, Ark. – Senior citizens who sustained losses in the April 27 severe storms, tornadoes and floods needn’t worry that applying for federal disaster assistance will cause them to sacrifice their Social Security benefits, pay more taxes or give up income-based benefit programs.

A grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) does not add to a senior’s taxable income as long as the grant is to help recovery from a disaster like the severe storms.

“Severe storm systems affect everyone,” said State Coordinating Officer David Maxwell of the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management. “We want to reassure Arkansas seniors not to be afraid to apply for state and federal assistance.”

“Receiving disaster funds will not cause anyone to miss out on assistance from other programs,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Timothy J. Scranton with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). “We urge seniors who sustained storm damage to go ahead and apply.”

Applying for assistance also does not affect a person’s eligibility for Medicaid, Aid to Families with Dependent Children, supplemental nutrition assistance or other federal programs. Recipients do not have to repay FEMA grants.

Seniors and other survivors who live in Faulkner, Pulaski, Randolph and White counties can register online with FEMA at www.disasterassistance.gov or via smartphone at m.fema.gov.  Applicants may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. For 711 Relay or Video Relay Services, call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

Originally posted here – 

Senior Citizens Won’t Lose Benefits If They Receive State, Federal Disaster Aid

EVERETT, Wash. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Washington Emergency Management Division today announced that more financial assistance for local and state agencies and certain nonprofit organizations has been approved for eligible public facilities affected by the SR530 Slide. The new provisions for public facilities expand the funding that is already available for eligible costs of debris removal and emergency measures. 

The additional assistance is for repair and replacement of:

  • Roads and bridges;
  • Water-control facilities;
  • Public buildings and their contents;
  • Public utilities, both government and privately owned; and
  • Parks, recreational resources and similar facilities that serve the public.

“This funding will help us escalate the recovery work we have already been accomplishing with local, tribal and federal partners,” said State Coordinating Officer Kurt Hardin. “We will continue to work with FEMA and our other partners for as long it takes.”

Federal assistance for debris removal and emergency measures became available on April 2 for eligible state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis in Snohomish County – including the Sauk-Suiattle, Stillaguamish, and Tulalip tribes. This money will allow for further recovery efforts. 

“This funding will help us to continue supporting recovery from the SR530 Slide,” said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Michael J. Hall. “FEMA remains dedicated to doing all we can.”

The Public Assistance program is for recovery of infrastructure and public entities. Unlike Individual Assistance –which is a separate program that assists individuals and households affected by the SR530 slide – Public Assistance is a federal program to provide funding for infrastructure and public facilities. FEMA covers 75 percent of the costs of eligible projects.

Immediately following the disaster, the state of Washington and FEMA extended support for debris removal and measures to protect further human injury and damage to property.

Public Assistance funding may cover costs incurred to return elements of the public facilities to as close to their pre-disaster condition as possible. Types of entities that may be eligible for Public Assistance include:

  • State government agencies;
  • Local governments and special districts;
  • Certain private nonprofit organizations; and
  • Federally recognized tribes.

Eligible private nonprofits that might qualify for assistance include schools, utilities, emergency medical and custodial care operations, irrigation systems, museums, zoos, community centers, libraries, shelters, health services and other organizations that provide essential services of a governmental nature.

Nonprofits that supply critical services – power, water, sewage treatment, communications and emergency care – can apply directly to FEMA for help. All others must first apply to the U.S. Small Business Administration, which works hand-in-hand with FEMA, for a low-interest loan. If such a loan is denied or is inadequate for the nonprofit’s needs, the organization can apply to FEMA for a grant, federal officials said.

The Public Assistance program also encourages protection of facilities from future events by providing assistance for hazard-mitigation measures during and after the recovery process.

To learn more about the Public Assistance program, visit: http://www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit/categories-work.

View this article – 

Disaster Assistance for SR530 Slide Expanded to Include More Funding for Public Facilities and Infrastructure

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to the State of Tennessee to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by a severe winter storm during the period of March 2-4, 2014.

The President’s action makes federal funding available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by a severe winter storm in Carroll, Cheatham, Dickson, Haywood, Houston, Madison, Shelby, and Tipton counties.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

Terry L. Quarles has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area.  Quarles said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

# # #

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, 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. 

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.

See the article here:  

President Declares Disaster for Tennessee

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal emergency aid has been made available to the State of Washington to supplement state and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from flooding and mudslides beginning on March 22, 2014, and continuing.

The President’s action authorizes FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in Snohomish County.

Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency.  Emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance, will be provided at 75 percent federal funding. 

Michael J. Hall has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal response operations in the affected area.  

# # #

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 www.fema.gov/blog, 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.

Visit link:

President Obama Signs Washington Emergency Declaration

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