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What to do if you disagree with FEMA’s decision letter

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – If Lake and Calaveras County residents receive a letter from the Federal Emergency Management Agency saying they are not eligible for disaster assistance, it is important that they read the letter carefully and then contact FEMA if they have questions or need assistance making an appeal.

The appeal must be postmarked within 60 days of the date on the FEMA letter, not the date received. FEMA will help survivors make an appeal.

Survivors can call 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585. For 711 or video relay service, call 800-621-3362. They can also visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). To locate the nearest center, call FEMA or go online to FEMA.gov/DRC.

A direct telephone hotline is operational to process any requests from survivors who may need additional assistance: 916-381-0330; for TTY, call 711.

The FEMA letter will explain the reason an applicant was determined to be ineligible and what additional information he or she needs to provide or how FEMA’s decision can be appealed.

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

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

Survivors can ask for a review of the amount or type of help provided or any other decision about federal disaster assistance if they appeal the agency’s decision within 60 days of the date on the FEMA letter. Many issues can be resolved if applicants follow up with updated information or documentation.

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

Appeal letters should include:

Federal disaster declaration number ‘DR-4240-CA’ on all pages of documents.
Applicant information, including:
- Nine-digit FEMA application number on all pages of documents
- Name
- Date and place of birth
- Address of the damaged dwelling
Copies of verifiable documentation supporting the appeal. All receipts, bills and estimates must include contact information for the service provider. Applicants should keep all originals for their records.
Copy of a driver license or state-issued identification card showing the residence address is the same as the damaged property.
If a driver’s license or state-issued identification card is not available, an alternative is to have the appeal letter notarized with the following statement included: “I hereby declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.”

The applicant’s signature.

Mail the appeal letter to:

FEMA
National Processing Service Center
P.O. Box 10055
Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055

Applicants may fax the appeal letter to: 800-827-8112, Attention: FEMA

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

Call 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585. For 711 or video relay service, call 800-621-3362. For more information go to FEMA.gov/Help-After-Disaster. Even easier is visiting one of the three FEMA disaster recovery centers (DRC).

All three Disaster Recovery Centers will be open on Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, with normal business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. To locate the nearest DRC, go to FEMA.gov/DRC.

Survivors can apply for FEMA assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362; TTY 800-462-7585; 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362. Registration continues through Monday, Nov. 23.

For more information on California’s wildfire recovery, visit: caloes.ca.gov or fema.gov/disaster/4240 and follow us on Twitter @femaregion9 and at Facebook.com/FEMA.

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). If you have a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

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 are referred to SBA for a disaster loan must apply to be eligible for additional FEMA assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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What to do if you disagree with FEMA’s decision letter

Two Weeks Left to Register for FEMA Grants and Apply for SBA Disaster Loans

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The deadline is Nov. 23, 2015, to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency for disaster assistance and to apply to the U.S. Small Business Administration for low-interest, long term disaster loans.

FEMA’s Disaster Recovery Centers in Calaveras and Lake counties will maintain normal operating hours on Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11. At the centers, disaster survivors can register for FEMA disaster assistance, apply for an SBA loan, and discuss recovery issues with representatives of various organizations and agencies. DRC hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. DRC locations can be found at FEMA.gov/DRC.

Even if you think you were fully insured against the devastating wildfires, it is important to register with FEMA and also submit an initial SBA online loan application by the Nov. 23 deadline just in case your insurance later turns out to be inadequate.

Once registered with FEMA, an application for assistance can remain open for up to a year from the declaration date – until Sept. 23, 2016 – pending final resolution of insurance coverage.

Survivors also can finalize a preliminary SBA loan application after the Nov. 23 deadline, as long as the initial application has been submitted by that date.

So far, 3,598 individuals and households have contacted FEMA for assistance and information: 1,092 in Calaveras County and 2,506 in Lake County.

More than $10.4 million has been authorized to date by FEMA for individuals and households. That amount includes nearly $6.9 million for Housing Assistance and more than $3.5 million for Other Needs Assistance, such as replacement of damaged or destroyed medical equipment, clothing, essential furnishings, appliances and even an automobile.

To date, 2,763 damaged or destroyed homes, 99 percent of the total, have been examined by FEMA’s inspection services.

The SBA has approved more than $12.8 million in disaster loans to businesses, private nonprofits, homeowners and renters. That includes $11.5 million to homeowners and renters and $1.3 million to businesses and private nonprofits for both physical damages and Economic Injury Disaster Loans.

Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations have until June 22, 2016, to apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans only.

FEMA refers most survivors to the SBA for long term disaster recovery loans. Those applicants should complete an SBA loan application, even if they feel they cannot afford or do not want a loan. SBA disaster loans are part of the federal assistance process. Accepting an SBA loan is not required, but submitting that application may trigger additional grant assistance through FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance program, which is administered by the state of California.

A direct telephone hotline is operational to process any requests from survivors who may need additional assistance: 916-381-0330, for TTY, call 711.

For more information on California’s wildfire recovery, visit: caloes.ca.gov or fema.gov/disaster/4240 and follow us on Twitter @femaregion9 and at facebook.com/FEMA.

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.

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Two Weeks Left to Register for FEMA Grants and Apply for SBA Disaster Loans

No flood insurance? Now is the time to buy

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – It is time to buy flood insurance, if you don’t already have it. Available to everyone, businesses, homeowners and renters alike, it is the only insurance that will help you recover from flooding and mudflows.

Citing a strong El Niño and other factors, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts wetter than average conditions for central and southern California, along with warmer than normal temperatures from December through February. There is a 30-day waiting period between purchasing flood insurance and the time the insurance goes into effect.

Residents living in the vicinity of the recent wildfires are especially vulnerable to runoff flooding this rainy season because wildfires dramatically alter the terrain and ground conditions.

Normally, vegetation absorbs rainfall, reducing runoff. But wildfires leave the ground charred, barren, and unable to absorb water. That enhances the chances of flash flooding and mudflows. Flood insurance covers mudflows, but not mudslides.

Just because your property is outside a high flood risk zone doesn’t mean there is no risk. But it does mean you can buy flood insurance at a lower price, because the risk is lower.

Information about flood insurance is available at the Disaster Recovery Centers in Lake and Calaveras counties: 891 Mountain Ranch Rd., San Andreas; Middletown Senior Center, 21256 Washington St., Middletown, and 14860 Olympic Dr., Clear Lake.

Flood insurance is for everyone, not just survivors of the wildfires. It is easy to find out how much flood insurance will cost by going to FloodSmart.gov. Fill in the blanks in the red box on the right side of the screen, “How Can I Get Covered”. You will be taken to a table of flood insurance options and costs for your address. Contact information for local agents is available on the website.

For more information on California’s wildfire recovery, visit: caloes.ca.gov, Twitter@Cal-OES Facebook.com/CaliforniaOES or FEMA.gov/disaster/4240 and follow us on Twitter@femaregion9 and at Facebook.com/FEMA.

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No flood insurance? Now is the time to buy

Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Johns Island to Help South Carolina Flood Survivors

COLUMBIA, S.C. – A disaster recovery center is open in Johns Island to help South Carolina flood survivors. This Charleston County center is open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday until further notice.

The disaster recovery center is located at:
Berkeley Electric Cooperative
3351 Maybank Highway, Johns Island

Representatives from the South Carolina Emergency Management Division, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Small Business Administration and other agencies are at the center to answer questions about disaster assistance and low-interest loans. They can also help survivors apply for aid.

It is not necessary to visit a center to register for and receive state/federal disaster assistance. If possible, survivors should register with FEMA before visiting a recovery center.

To register, go online to DisasterAssistance.gov or call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362. Help is available in most languages and phone lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

Disaster survivors who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585 to register. Those who use 711 or VRS (Video Relay Service) or require accommodations while visiting a center may call 800-621-3362. All disaster recovery centers are accessible and equipped with tools to accommodate disaster survivors who need disability-related communication aids.

Additional disaster recovery centers are open in affected South Carolina counties. For information call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 or go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov or https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4241.

See the article here:

Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Johns Island to Help South Carolina Flood Survivors

FEMA Mitigation Advisers Offer Guidance to Flood Survivors in Columbia, Summerville

COLUMBIA, S.C. – As South Carolinians rebuild and repair after the recent historic floods, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and local home improvement stores have teamed up to provide free information, tips and literature on making homes stronger and safer.

FEMA mitigation specialists will be on hand in Berkeley and Richland counties at in-store information centers to answer questions and offer home improvement tips and proven methods to prevent and lessen damage from future disasters. Most of the information is geared for do-it-yourself work and general contractors.

Also on hand will be FEMA’s disaster survivors assistance teams to answer questions and provide guidance on federal help available until further notice.

Advisers will be available at two locations today through Oct. 27. Hours are Thursday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Monday, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; and Tuesday, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Berkeley County: Home Depot located at 190 Marymeade Drive in Summerville

Richland County: Lowe’s located at 7441 Two Notch Road in Columbia

Mitigation teams will also have free reference booklets in English and Spanish on protecting your home from flood damage. More information about strengthening property can be found at fema.gov/what-mitigation.

For more information on South Carolina recovery, visit the disaster webpage at fema.gov/disaster/4241, Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion4 and the South Carolina Emergency Management Division website scemd.org.

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FEMA Mitigation Advisers Offer Guidance to Flood Survivors in Columbia, Summerville

South Carolina Flood Survivors Have Many Ways to Get Help

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina’s historic floods affected people’s jobs, mental state or left them needing legal assistance. But help is still available. There are several programs to assist survivors with these issues as they work to recover from the floods:

Disaster Unemployment Assistance

Disaster Unemployment Assistance application deadlines are approaching for several counties. DUA may be available to survivors who lost their jobs or businesses as a result of the recent floods. Survivors in any of the federally designated counties are eligible to apply. Apply by visiting mybenefits.dew.sc.gov or by calling 866-831-1724.

The deadline for survivors to file a claim is Nov. 4 in Charleston, Dorchester, Georgetown, Horry, Lexington, Orangeburg, Richland, and Williamsburg counties; Nov. 5 in Berkeley, Clarendon and Sumter counties; Nov. 6 in Calhoun, Darlington, Florence, Kershaw and Lee counties; Nov. 7 in Bamberg, Colleton and Greenwood counties; Nov. 12 in Newberry County; and Nov. 19 for Fairfield and Marion counties. Call 888-834-5890 for more information.

Disaster-Related Legal Assistance at No Charge

A free helpline is available for survivors who have disaster-related legal questions. A partnership between the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, the South Carolina Bar, the South Carolina Bar Young Lawyers Division and South Carolina Legal Services is providing the service.

Survivors who have flood-related legal issues and cannot afford a lawyer should call 877-797-2227 ext. 120 or 803-576-3815 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Crisis Counseling Available

Many survivors recovering from the floods are also recovering emotionally. Free help is available for flood survivors who feel overwhelmed, exhausted or unable to cope. Mental health professionals are available at disaster recovery centers. Survivors can find their closest recovery center by calling 800-621-3362 or by logging onto fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers.

Survivors who sustained losses in Bamberg, Berkeley, Calhoun, Charleston, Clarendon, Colleton, Darlington, Dorchester, Florence, Georgetown, Greenwood, Horry, Kershaw, Lee, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg, Richland, Sumter and Williamsburg counties are eligible to register for federal disaster assistance.

Apply for assistance by registering online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362. Disaster assistance applicants who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities should call 800-462-7585 (TTY); those who use 711/VRS may call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice. Survivors may also choose to visit a disaster recovery center in their county. To find the nearest center log onto fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers.

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South Carolina Flood Survivors Have Many Ways to Get Help

CNMI provides free fax options for Soudelor survivors

SAIPAN, CNMI – Typhoon Soudelor survivors on Saipan who need to get documents to the Federal Emergency Management Agency have several places where they can do so free of charge.

When the joint CNMI/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center in Susupe closed earlier this month, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands began arranging locations that would provide this service to survivors. That list currently stands at four:

Saipan Mayor’s Office

Beach Road, Chalan Laulau

7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays

IT&E, TSL Plaza

Beach Road, Garapan

8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays

IT&E Customer Service

Middle Road, Chalan Laulau

8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays

Joeten – Kiyu Public Library

Beach Road, Susupe

7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays

FEMA applicants faxing documents will be doing so to a toll-free number, and these locations will not charge them anything to use their fax machines.

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CNMI provides free fax options for Soudelor survivors

CalOES and FEMA Serves the Whole Community: Assistance for Survivors with Disabilities

Sacramento, CA – The California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are continuing to encourage Lake and Calaveras county residents with disabilities, or any survivor with additional needs, who were affected by the recent wildfires, to utilize the many available accessible resources to register for assistance.

People with disabilities are eligible to receive the same services and assistance that are offered to everyone in the declared disaster area, and both CalOES and FEMA are committed to ensuring services and assistance are available for people with disabilities.

A direct telephone hotline is operational to process any requests from survivors who may need additional assistance.

916-381-0330
TTY CALL 711

In addition, to serve the whole community, certain accommodations are available at Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs).

For those who are deaf or hard of hearing, the DRCs are equipped with captioned phones and iPads that can access video remote sign language interpreters. On-site interpreters are also available upon request.
For those survivors who are blind or have low vision, documents are available in large print and Braille.
DRCs have accessible parking, ramps, and restrooms.
If a survivor cannot transport themselves to the DRC, FEMA will arrange a home visit.

The first step for any survivor is to register with FEMA. While one-to-one registration assistance is available at a DRC, survivors may also register online or over the phone.

Online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by smart phone or tablet at m.fema.gov
The number to register for assistance is 1-800-621-3362
TTY 1-800-462-7585
If you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362
Operators are multilingual and calls are answered seven days a week 24 hours a day.
FEMA representatives can also register survivors at a location of their choosing if needed.

The application deadline is November 23. For those survivors with a disability, and others with additional needs who require assistance, should not hesitate to contact FEMA and ask for help.

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CalOES and FEMA Serves the Whole Community: Assistance for Survivors with Disabilities

Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Williamsburg, Orangeburg Counties

COLUMBIA, S.C. – New disaster recovery centers are open in Livingston and Kingstree to help South Carolinians who experienced losses from the recent floods.

Representatives from the South Carolina Emergency Management Division, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Small Business Administration and other public and private agencies are at the centers to discuss disaster-assistance programs and help survivors find resources for recovery.

Locations and hours of the new recovery centers:

Williamsburg County

Williamsburg Recreation Center

2084 Thurgood Marshall Hwy

Kingstree

Seven day a week, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Orangeburg County

Neeses Town Hall

6357 Savannah Hwy

Livingston

Seven day a week, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

It is not necessary to visit a center to register for and receive state-federal disaster assistance. If possible, survivors should register with FEMA before visiting a recovery center. To register go online any time to DisasterAssistance.gov or call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362. Help is available in most languages, and phone lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

Disaster survivors who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585 to register. Those who use 711 or VRS (Video Relay Service) or require accommodations while visiting a center may call 800-621-3362. All disaster recovery centers are accessible and equipped with tools to accommodate disaster survivors who need disability-related communication aids.

Federal and state disaster assistance for eligible individuals and families can include money for temporary rental assistance and essential home repairs for primary residences and help with other serious disaster-related losses not covered by insurance.

Low-interest disaster recovery loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration are the primary means of federal help for disaster survivors, including homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes. Individuals and businesses should first register with FEMA. For information on SBA disaster recovery loans call 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339) or go online to SBA.gov/disaster. An application for an SBA disaster recovery loan may be completed online at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Additional disaster recovery centers are open in Charleston, Clarendon, Darlington, Dorchester, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Kershaw, Lee, Lexington, Orangeburg, Richland and Sumter counties. For information on the locations of recovery centers call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 or go online to https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4241.

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Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Williamsburg, Orangeburg Counties

Disaster Recovery Centers in South Carolina Open in Charleston and Lee Counties

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Two disaster recovery centers are open in Charleston and Lee counties to help South Carolina flood survivors. The centers are open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week.

Representatives from the South Carolina Emergency Management Division, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Small Business Administration and other agencies will be at the centers to explain disaster assistance programs and help survivors apply for aid.

The disaster recovery centers are located at the following addresses:

Charleston County

Charleston County Public Works

5800 Casper Padgett Way

North Charleston, SC 29405

Lee County

Park and Recreation Center

4 W. Cedar Lane

Bishopville, SC 29010

If possible, before going to a disaster recovery center people with flooding losses should register with FEMA. They can go online to DisasterAssistance.gov or call 800-621-3362. Help is available in many languages, and lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

Disaster survivors who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY, can call 800-462-7585. If survivors use 711 or VRS (Video Relay Service) or require accommodations while visiting a center, call 800-621- 3362.

All disaster recovery centers are accessible and equipped with tools to accommodate disaster survivors who need disability related communication aids.

Federal disaster assistance for individuals and families can include money for temporary rental assistance and essential home repairs for primary residences not covered by insurance.

Low-interest disaster loans from the Small Business Administration are also available to help with business, homeowner and renter uninsured losses.

Survivors and businesses should first register with FEMA and may obtain information on SBA disaster loan applications by calling 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people who are deaf or hard of hearing) or online at SBA.gov/disaster. They may also apply online at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

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Disaster Recovery Centers in South Carolina Open in Charleston and Lee Counties

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