Disaster Assistance Teams Helping Mississippi Storm Survivors in Three Newly Designated Counties

OXFORD, Miss. – State and federal disaster survivor assistance teams are now working in three more Mississippi counties, helping residents recover from destructive tornadoes, severe storms and flooding in late December.

The teams are made up of disaster specialists from the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. They are canvassing neighborhoods in Monroe, Panola and Prentiss counties, which were designated for disaster assistance last week.

Affected survivors in Monroe and Prentiss counties can also visit applicant service centers now open at the:

  • Chancery Clerk Building (across from the courthouse), 110 N. Main St., Booneville, MS 38829;
  • The Becker Community Center, 52246 Highway 25 South, Amory, MS 38821.

Survivors in Panola County can visit the disaster recovery center in neighboring Quitman County, which is located at the Marks Fire Department, 108 W. Main St., Marks, MS 38646 or any other center in a county designated for assistance after the December storms.

The teams can register survivors and electronically submit a request for federal assistance. Team members can be easily identified by photo identification and FEMA or MEMA clothing. Mississippi residents are encouraged to ask for official identification before providing personal information.

Federal disaster assistance for qualified applicants may include:

  • Grants to rent a temporary place to live, as needed.
  • Grants for essential home repairs not covered by insurance.
  • Grants for disaster-related needs not covered by insurance — such as medical, dental, transportation, funeral expenses, moving and storage fees, personal property loss and child care.
  • Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration to homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance.

In addition to the registration opportunity offered by recovery teams, survivors can register for assistance by the following methods:

  • Visiting DisasterAssistance.gov with a computer, tablet, iPhone, Android or other mobile device.
  • Calling 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585 for those who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired. Those who use 711 or Video Relay Services can call 800-621-3362 to register. 
  • Business owners can find an electronic loan application on the U.S. Small Business Administration’s secure website at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Questions can be answered by calling the SBA disaster customer service center at 800-659-2955/ (TTY) 800-877-8339 or visiting sba.gov.

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All FEMA disaster assistance will be provided without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment), religion, national origin, age, disability, limited English proficiency, economic status, or retaliation. If you believe your civil rights are being violated, call 800-621-3362 or 800-462-7585(TTY/TDD).

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.

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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Disaster Assistance Teams Helping Mississippi Storm Survivors in Three Newly Designated Counties

Three Mississippi Counties Designated for Individual Assistance After December Storms

OXFORD, Miss. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency has amended a recent disaster declaration for severe storms in December in order to make survivors in Monroe, Panola and Prentiss counties eligible for its Individual Assistance program.

Survivors who sustained disaster-related losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance by calling 800-621-3362. Disaster assistance applicants who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired should call 800-462-7585 (TTY); those who use 711 or Video Relay Service may call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate every day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. until further notice.

Survivors can also apply by going online to DisasterAssistance.gov using a computer, tablet, iPhone, Android or other mobile device.

Benton, Coahoma, Marshall, Tippah and Quitman counties were previously designated by the presidential declaration on Jan. 4.

Individual Assistance can include money for temporary housing and essential home repairs for primary homes, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help survivors recover from the effects of the disaster.

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All FEMA disaster assistance will be provided without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment), religion, national origin, age, disability, limited English proficiency, economic status, or retaliation. If you believe your civil rights are being violated, call 800-621-3362 or 800-462-7585(TTY/TDD).

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.

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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Three Mississippi Counties Designated for Individual Assistance After December Storms

Deadline Looms for Texans with Storm Damage

AUSTIN, Texas – Texas homeowners and renters with damage from the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding Oct. 22-Oct. 31 have only until Monday, Jan. 25, to register for disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Disaster survivors from the October event living in a designated disaster county—Bastrop, Brazoria, Caldwell, Cameron, Comal, Galveston, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Hays, Hidalgo, Liberty, Navarro, Travis, Willacy or Wilson—who have delayed registration for any reason must apply by the above date to be considered for potential assistance that could include grants to help pay for:

  • Temporary housing

  • Essential home repairs

  • Uninsured and underinsured personal property losses

  • Other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

There are two ways for homeowners and renters to register for disaster assistance:

  • Log on to the FEMA website at DisasterAssistance.gov to upload documents, and
  • Call the toll-free FEMA Helpline (voice, 711 or relay service) at 800-621-3362. TTY users should call 800-462-7585. Lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

FEMA works to ensure that every disaster survivor has equal access to disaster information and assistance. Survivors needing an accommodation or assistance due to a disability may notify FEMA staff at the time of registration or anytime throughout the assistance process. American Sign Language interpreters are provided for community meetings in the disaster area and news releases are available in Spanish on the FEMA website, http://www.fema.gov/es/disaster/4245.

All applicants for disaster assistance will be asked for the following information:

  • Social Security number

  • Address of the damaged primary residence

  • Description of the damage

  • Information about insurance coverage

  • A current contact telephone number and address where they can receive mail

  • Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of funds

Jan. 25 is also the deadline to return applications for U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest disaster loans. SBA loans for businesses of all sizes (including landlords), private nonprofits,

homeowners and renters comprise the greatest source of funds for a full recovery.

Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

Businesses and nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. SBA also offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. EIDL assistance is available to businesses regardless of any property damage, but the combined limit for both is $2 million.

Eligible survivors should register with FEMA even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but under-insured applicants may receive help after their insurance claims have been settled. FEMA assistance does not affect other benefits such as food stamps, Medicaid or Social Security.

 

For more information on Texas recovery, visit the disaster web page at www.fema.gov/disaster/4245, Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem.

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All FEMA disaster assistance will be provided without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment), religion, national origin, age, disability, limited English proficiency, economic status, or retaliation. If you believe your civil rights are being violated, call 800-621-3362 or 800-462-7585(TTY/TDD).

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. 

 

The SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.

Original post: 

Deadline Looms for Texans with Storm Damage

Mississippi Tornado Survivors: Keep Your Recovery Process Moving by Returning SBA Disaster Loan Applications

OXFORD, Miss. – Mississippi tornado survivors who do not submit their U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest disaster loan applications may be saying no to a primary source of federal disaster assistance.

After registering with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, some survivors receive a disaster loan application from SBA. By submitting the SBA disaster loan application, survivors keep the full range of disaster assistance available as an option. SBA may refer applicants who do not qualify for a home loan to FEMA for grants to replace essential household items and replace or repair a damaged vehicle. But if survivors do not submit their disaster loan applications, further assistance may stop. Survivors are not required to accept a loan offer.

Often, survivors think SBA disaster loans are only for businesses. Some may be counting on a future insurance settlement to cover rebuilding costs. They may not want to take out a loan or fear they cannot afford one. Others may simply need help completing the disaster loan application.

SBA offers disaster loans to businesses of all sizes, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters, for physical damage from the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding which affected northern Mississippi in late December. To be eligible for these loans, damage must have occurred in the following counties: Benton, Coahoma, Marshall, Quitman or Tippah.

Economic injury disaster loans are available to provide working capital to eligible small businesses and nonprofit organizations located in the following Mississippi counties: Alcorn, Benton, Bolivar, Coahoma, DeSoto, Lafayette, Marshall, Panola, Prentiss, Quitman, Sunflower, Tallahatchie, Tate, Tippah, Tunica and Union.

There are several good reasons for FEMA applicants who have been contacted by SBA to submit a completed disaster loan application before the March 4, 2016, deadline. Some of the top reasons include:

  • Your insurance settlement may fall short. You may find out you are underinsured for the amount of work it takes to repair or replace a damaged home. An SBA low-interest loan can cover the uninsured costs. By submitting the loan application, survivors may have loan money available when it is needed. SBA can approve a loan for the repair or replacement of a home up to $200,000. The loan balance will be reduced by your insurance settlement. However, the opportunity for an SBA disaster loan may be lost if you wait until after the application deadline.
  • SBA can help renters repair or replace disaster-damaged personal property. Renters, as well as homeowners, may borrow up to $40,000 to repair or replace clothing, furniture, appliances and damaged vehicles.
  • Disaster loans offer low rates and long-term repayment plans. Interest rates are as low as 4 percent for businesses, 2.625 percent for nonprofit organizations and 1.813 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

For more information, homeowners, renters and businesses may call the SBA at 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339), send an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov or visit SBA.gov/Disaster. Survivors can complete disaster loan applications online at https://DisasterLoan.SBA.gov/ELA.

Survivors can visit any of the five disaster recovery centers open in Mississippi to sit down and talk with an SBA representative in person. Disaster recovery center locations can be found by visiting FEMA.gov/DRC or by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585.)

Survivors who have not yet registered with FEMA can do so online at DisasterAssistance.gov, or by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362. Survivors who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired can call TTY 800-462-7585.

For more information on Mississippi’s disaster recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4248 and msema.org.

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All FEMA disaster assistance will be provided without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment), religion, national origin, age, disability, limited English proficiency, economic status, or retaliation. If you believe your civil rights are being violated, call 800-621-3362 or 800-462-7585(TTY/TDD).

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.

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: 

Mississippi Tornado Survivors: Keep Your Recovery Process Moving by Returning SBA Disaster Loan Applications

Temporary Housing Assistance Available for Displaced Survivors in Mississippi

OXFORD, Miss. – Are you still sleeping on your friend’s couch every night while you work on repairs to your storm-damaged house?

Are you and the kids crammed into your in-laws’ one bedroom, one bath because your home was destroyed by the December storms?

If you were displaced by the disaster and remain unable to return home or find a new dwelling, we may be able to help.

Survivors in the five counties designated for Individual Assistance – Benton, Coahoma, Marshall, Quitman and Tippah – may be eligible for federal disaster aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. It could mean an initial two months of temporary rental assistance to help pay for a clean and safe place to stay while repairs continue.

The first step is to register with FEMA by:

  • Calling 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585 for those who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired. Those who use 711 or Video Relay Services can call 800-621-3362 to register.
  • Visiting DisasterAssistance.gov with a computer, tablet, iPhone, Android or other mobile device.

For longer-term rebuilding assistance, the U.S. Small Business Administration offers low-interest loans to qualified individuals to help with residential and business losses. Homeowners, renters and business owners may obtain information on SBA disaster loan applications by calling 800-659-2955

(or 800-877-8339 for the hard of hearing) or by visiting sba.gov. They may also apply for disaster loans at https://www.disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Both FEMA and SBA are prohibited by law from duplicating insurance benefits. But, if your insurance fell short in meeting your needs, you may be eligible for help from either or both agencies.

For more information on Mississippi’s disaster recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4248 and msema.org.

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All FEMA disaster assistance will be provided without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment), religion, national origin, age, disability, limited English proficiency, economic status, or retaliation. If you believe your civil rights are being violated, call 800-621-3362 or 800-462-7585(TTY/TDD).

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.

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 More: 

Temporary Housing Assistance Available for Displaced Survivors in Mississippi

What’s Available at a Mississippi Disaster Recovery Center

OXFORD, Miss. – The Mississippi and federal emergency agencies are operating five disaster recovery centers in Mississippi to offer a number of services to individuals affected by the December storms. The centers, located in Benton, Coahoma, Marshall, Quitman and Tippah counties, are jointly operated by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency in partnership with county and local agencies. They serve as one-stop-shops to provide community access to recovery services, referrals and information.

Anyone who needs reasonable accommodations when visiting the centers may request them by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362, or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Accommodations include American Sign Language interpreters, listening devices for the hard of hearing, magnifiers for low vision and video remote sign language interpreting. Service animals are welcome, and the centers are accessible to everyone.

While individuals are encouraged to register with FEMA before visiting a disaster center, they can use on-site services to contact FEMA and register for disaster assistance by calling 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 800-621-3362 to register. Online registration can be done at DisasterAssistance.gov by computer, tablet, iPhone, Android or other mobile device. MEMA and FEMA staff are available to answer questions on the status of applications and on special programs such as disaster unemployment assistance and disaster legal services.

Survivors are strongly encouraged to submit their claims to their private insurance providers early. If private insurance leaves coverage gaps, survivors may be eligible for FEMA assistance for their remaining needs. “Remaining needs” includes temporary lodging, personal property losses, medical or dental expenses, moving and storage fees or other costs not covered by personal insurance.

Applicants with questions about the determination letters they receive from FEMA can sit and talk with staff members who are prepared to explain the terms of the letters and to help applicants with the appeal process.

The Mississippi State Board of Contractors has provided the centers with two handouts – “A Consumer’s Guide to Home Improvement Contracts” and “Don’t Get Scammed!” – to aid people facing property repairs. State regulations require contractors to be licensed. Consumers can contact the Board’s hotline at 800-880-6161or 601-354-6161 to report fraudulent activity.

Center staff may direct storm survivors dealing with high levels of stress after the December storms to call the Mississippi Department of Mental Health hotline at 877-210-8513 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The call is free and confidential.

Business owners, homeowners, renters and private nonprofit organizations whose losses were not fully covered by their private insurance can apply for a low-interest loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration. The SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. An SBA representative is available at each center to assist applicants with the application process. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.

All of these resources are located at the following disaster recovery centers:

Benton County

Ashland Fire Department

60 Third St.

Ashland, MS 38603

Coahoma County

Clarksdale Civic Auditorium

506 East 2nd St.

Clarksdale, MS 38614

Marshall County

Spring Hollow Plaza

198 N. Memphis St.

Holly Springs, MS 38635

Tippah County

The former Magnolia Women’s Center

41 B Mitchell Ave.

Walnut, MS 38683

Quitman County

Marks Fire Department Station

108 W. Main St.

Marks, MS 38646

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All FEMA disaster assistance will be provided without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment), religion, national origin, age, disability, limited English proficiency, economic status, or retaliation. If you believe your civil rights are being violated, call 800-621-3362 or 800-462-7585(TTY/TDD).

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.

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.

View original article: 

What’s Available at a Mississippi Disaster Recovery Center

Additional Mississippi Counties Approved for Disaster Aid

OXFORD, Miss. – The state of Mississippi and local governments and certain private nonprofits in Coahoma, Panola and Quitman counties are now eligible to receive federal assistance to help cover expenses and repair damage associated with the tornadoes and severe weather in late December, according to state and federal officials.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency said the three counties have been added to the disaster declaration issued by President Obama on Jan. 4. That declaration authorized the Public Assistance program in Benton, Marshall and Tippah counties.

The disaster declaration makes state, county and local governments, as well as certain nonprofit organizations in the designated areas eligible to receive reimbursement through the Public Assistance program for repairing infrastructure damage caused by the storms, as well as the cost of responding to them.

Under the Public Assistance program, FEMA pays 75 percent of the cost for repairs, overtime and debris removal. Typically, the remaining 25 percent is split between state and local governments at 12.5 percent each. Eligible nonprofits are responsible for the full 25 percent. The program is administered by MEMA. Eligibility and project approval is determined by FEMA.

MEMA and FEMA are working to schedule applicant briefings with officials of eligible entities and nonprofit organizations in the designated counties. MEMA and FEMA will provide information on the application process, as well as deadlines for submission of necessary documents to receive federal reimbursement.

The applicant briefings may be followed by face-to-face meetings in local communities between FEMA, state officials and eligible applicants.

MEMA and FEMA and their local, state and federal partners are also providing assistance to individuals affected by the storms in Benton, Coahoma, Marshall, Quitman and Tippah counties.

Additional MEMA-FEMA joint damage assessments are ongoing to determine if other counties could be eligible for assistance.

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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.

Taken from: 

Additional Mississippi Counties Approved for Disaster Aid

More Than $1.5 Million in Disaster Assistance Approved for Mississippi Storm Survivors

OXFORD, Miss. – Less than a month after severe storms, tornadoes and flooding swept across Mississippi, more than $1.5 million in state and federal disaster assistance has been approved to help those affected by the storms.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has been contacted by 775 people 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 and voluntary agencies. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and FEMA often refer survivors to those agencies. All businesses are also referred to the SBA. Some survivors may be interested in other programs such as disaster unemployment assistance and disaster legal services.

The following is a snapshot of the disaster recovery effort as of Jan. 15:

  • Nearly 170 individuals and households approved for FEMA grants, including:
    • Nearly $1.3 million approved for housing grants, including short-term rental assistance and home repair costs.
    • More than $264,000 approved to cover other essential disaster-related needs such as medical and dental expenses and lost personal possessions.
  • 489 home inspections completed.
  • 283 visits to disaster recovery centers by people affected by the disaster.
  • Five disaster recovery centers open in Individual Assistance-designated counties.

No matter the degree of loss or insurance coverage, survivors in the five disaster-designated Mississippi counties are urged to apply for help. The Individual Assistance-designated counties are Benton, Coahoma, Marshall, Quitman and Tippah. Survivors can use any of the following methods to register:

  • By phone, call 800-621-FEMA (3362). People who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech-impaired and use a TTY should call 800-462-7585. Lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time. Assistance is available in most languages.
  • Online registration can be done by computer, tablet, iPhone, Android or other mobile device at www.DisasterAssistance.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 in order to continue the federal assistance process. 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 2.188 percent and terms up to 30 years.

Complete the SBA application online 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/disaster.

For more information on Mississippi disaster recovery, go to fema.gov/disaster/4248. Visit the MEMA website at msema.org or on Facebook at facebook.com/msemaorg.

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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.

Link:  

More Than $1.5 Million in Disaster Assistance Approved for Mississippi Storm Survivors

National Disaster Recovery Group to Assess Lake County Fire-Related Needs

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – In response to the unmet needs of survivors following the Valley Fire, a long term recovery committee (LTRC) has been established. This committee, Team Lake County (TLC), has requested the expertise of a national disaster recovery group to determine who in the community will need additional assistance from voluntary agencies to rebuild and recover from the fire.

World Renew Disaster Response Services has agreed to conduct a survey to identify the disaster-related needs of survivors identified as needing additional assistance. These surveys will take place from Wednesday, Jan. 20 through Thursday, Feb. 4 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily.  The team will be located at the Middletown Community Meeting Room at 21256 Washington St., Middletown, CA 95461 for most of its stay.

On both Wednesday, Jan. 27 and Thursday, Jan. 28 the team will be in the field meeting with survivors.

The information given to World Renew is confidential and will assist designated case managers to help residents connect with available resources. The information will also help to develop a detailed estimate of the total cost for recovery in the community, which aids the LTRC raise the necessary recovery funds and donations.

LTRCs are organized in communities across the country from a variety of organizations, such as church denominations, local charities, community foundations and some independent groups, such as nondenominational churches, or businesses.

The role of the LTRC is to determine and provide reasonable unmet needs for as many individuals and families as possible that cannot be further assisted by the state or federal government.  

FEMA plays a part as well, assigning a liaison to help coordinate the LTRCs’ efforts and provide advice. The liaison also reviews benefit requests to make sure there are no duplications.

John Chavez, who fills the FEMA liaison position for the Lake County wildfire, said the LTRC will “not replace a swimming pool, but may replace lost siding and even give a house a new paint job.”

While one part of the LTRC works to fill survivors’ needs, another part of the organization works to recruit volunteer organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, the Mennonite Disaster Services and others to come in and repair or rebuild homes. Still others secure grants large enough to meet most, if not all, of the unmet needs.

“The dollars can go into the millions,” Chavez added. “If there is surplus, we can use the money to replace furniture, appliances and other items that will help people get back on their feet.”

For more information, go to the TLC website at teamlakecounty.org.

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.

Taken from:  

National Disaster Recovery Group to Assess Lake County Fire-Related Needs

After the Storm: How Texans Can Replace Lost or Damaged Documents

AUSTIN, Texas – Disasters such as floods and tornadoes commonly result in the loss of important documents. While it can seem like a daunting task, the good news for Texans is that many official papers and vital records are relatively easy to replace.

Survivors of October’s severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding, who have registered and applied for federal disaster assistance, should keep their personal information updated with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) throughout the recovery process. Supplying copies of important documentation is a necessary part of registering with FEMA. Applicants should share any change of address, telephone and bank account numbers and insurance information with FEMA to keep that information up to date.

Check the list below to find out where to obtain official copies of your lost or damaged documents.

SNAP Card (Food Stamps):
Phone: 800-777-7328
Website: https://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/providers/LoneStar/EBT/EBThowto.html

Green Cards:
Phone: 800-375-5283
Website: http://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-green-card-granted/replace-green-card

Birth and death certificates:
Phone: 888-963-7111
Website: https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/vs/reqproc/default.shtm

Texas Driver License:
Phone: 512-424-2600
Website: https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/DriverLicense/replace.htm

Bank Checks, ATM/Debit Cards, or Safe Deposit Boxes:
Phone: 877-275-3342
Website: www.fdic.gov

Credit Cards: Contact the issuing institution:

Texans in the following counties may register for disaster assistance for damage or losses sustained during the period Oct. 22 to Oct. 31: Bastrop, Brazoria, Caldwell, Cameron, Comal, Galveston, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Hays, Hidalgo, Liberty, Navarro, Travis, Willacy and Wilson.

Survivors can apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone (voice, 711 or relay service) at 800-621-3362. TTY users should call 800-462-7585. The toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

For more information on Texas recovery, visit the disaster web page at www.fema.gov/disaster/4245, Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem.

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All FEMA disaster assistance will be provided without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment), religion, national origin, age, disability, limited English proficiency, economic status, or retaliation. If you believe your civil rights are being violated, call 800-621-3362 or 800-462-7585(TTY/TDD).

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. 

The SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.

Visit www.fema.gov/texas-disaster-mitigation for publications and reference material on rebuilding and repairing safer and stronger.

Original source:

After the Storm: How Texans Can Replace Lost or Damaged Documents

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