disaster - femacontract.com

Frequently Asked Questions on Letter of Eligibility

Why did I get a letter stating I’m ineligible?

FEMA routinely corresponds with applicants to let them know if they qualify for federal disaster assistance. The most common reasons for receiving a determination of ineligibility are:

Adequate insurance coverage.
Insufficient storm-related damage.
Missing documentation needed to complete the assistance evaluation process.

What are examples of missing documentation?

You may need to provide an insurance settlement letter, proof of residence, proof of ownership of the damaged property, or proof that the damaged property was your primary residence at the time of the disaster.

What should I do if I receive a letter?

Please call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362), or (TTY) 800-462-7585 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) to check the status of your application, update your contact numbers or ask any questions. Users of 711 or Video Relay Services should call 800-621-3362.

If instructed and needed, applicants can simply submit missing documentation to FEMA online, by mail or fax, or in person at a Disaster Recovery Center.

What if my insurance doesn’t cover all my needs?

FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but underinsured applicants may receive further assistance for unmet needs:

If you are unable to live in your home due to disaster damage and your insurance policy does not cover temporary rental assistance, you may be eligible for rental assistance from FEMA.
If your home sustained property damage and you’re still waiting for an insurance settlement payment, you may be eligible for an advance from FEMA.

Why am I being contacted by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)?

Residents and business owners may automatically be referred to the SBA for possible low-interest disaster recovery loans to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

You should not wait for your insurance settlement to apply for a low-interest disaster from SBA. In disaster recovery, SBA’s low-interest loans may be the primary source of the federal funds for the long-term repair and replacement of disaster-damaged private property for business of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters.

What if I find more disaster-related damage?

Explain in your written appeal why you need additional home repair assistance. For instance, if you discover the costs of disaster-related home repairs exceeds your home repair grant, you can appeal the initial determination. To wage an effective appeal, include any supporting documentation, such as repair estimates, receipts, statements or invoices. FEMA may send another inspector to your damaged property.

Can I appeal FEMA’s determination of eligibility?

You may appeal any decision made by FEMA. By doing so, you are asking FEMA to review your case. Appeals may relate to your initial eligibility determination, the amount or type of assistance received, the need for Continued Temporary Housing Assistance, or other disaster-related decisions.

How do I appeal the decision?

All formal appeals must be filed in writing to FEMA. Appeals must be submitted within 60 days of receipt of a letter denying assistance.

What else should I include in my appeal?

To ensure accuracy and help FEMA personnel process your appeal quickly, please include the following information in your letter of appeal:

Your full name
The address of your damaged property
Current contact information
Disaster number: DR-4223-TX
Last four digits of your Social Security number
Your birthdate and place of birth
Your 9-digit FEMA registration number on each page and on supporting documentation
Your letter must be either notarized, include a copy of a state issued identification card, or include the following statement, “I hereby declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.”
You must sign the letter

If someone other than you or the co-applicant is writing the letter, there must be a signed statement from you affirming that the person may act on your behalf. You should keep a copy of your appeal for your records.

Where do I send my appeal letter?

By mail:

FEMA – Individuals & Households Program
National Processing Service Center
P.O. Box 10055
Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055

By fax:

800-827-8112
Attention: FEMA – Individuals & Households Program

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Frequently Asked Questions on Letter of Eligibility

Texans in Fayette County May Now Apply for Federal Disaster Assistance

AUSTIN, Texas – The federal disaster declaration for Texas has been expanded to include Individual Assistance for Fayette County as a result of the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding that occurred between May 4 and June 19, according to the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Fayette County joins 30 counties already designated for Individual Assistance: Bastrop, Blanco, Caldwell, Cooke, Dallas, Denton, Eastland, Fannin, Fort Bend, Gaines, Grayson, Guadalupe, Harris, Hays, Henderson, Hidalgo, Johnson, Liberty, Milam, Montague, Navarro, Nueces, Rusk, Smith, Travis, Walker, Wichita, Williamson, Wise and Van Zandt. Residents in the 31 designated counties are eligible to apply for state and federal assistance.

Disaster assistance for homeowners and renters may include grants to help pay for rent, temporary housing and home repairs, as well as other serious disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs.

Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) also are available. 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.

Texans who had storm damage 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.

Residents and business owners should apply right away with SBA as part of the overall federal disaster recovery process, and not wait for insurance claims to settle.
People can apply for FEMA assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call 800-621-3362 toll free from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) daily until further notice. Multilingual operators are available.

Disaster assistance applicants who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY should call 800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

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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 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 us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/femaregion6.

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.

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

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

Originally posted here:

Texans in Fayette County May Now Apply for Federal Disaster Assistance

Texas Mobile Registration Intake Center in Williamson County Transitions to Disaster Recovery Center

AUSTIN, Texas – The Mobile Registration Intake Center (MRIC) in Williamson County is transitioning into a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC), Thursday, June 25, to provide one-stop service for those affected by the storms, tornadoes and flooding that occurred from May 4 to June 19.

A DRC provides expanded services to survivors including general information, help applying for assistance and information on repairing and rebuilding structures.

Location and dates of operation

Taylor City Hall
400 Porter Street
Taylor, TX 76574
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday – Friday
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday
Closed Sunday

DRCs are staffed with professionals who will meet with survivors and answer questions, and help with FEMA registration. They are operated jointly by the Texas Division of Emergency Management, FEMA and the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

Assistance for eligible survivors can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, and for other serious disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs. Low-interest disaster loans from SBA also may be available to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other resources and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

People who had storm damage in affected counties also can register for FEMA assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call 800-621-3362 toll free from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily until further notice. Multilingual operators are available.

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.

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

Link –

Texas Mobile Registration Intake Center in Williamson County Transitions to Disaster Recovery Center

Mobile Registration Intake Center to Open in Navarro County for Texas Flood Survivors

AUSTIN, Texas – A Mobile Registration Intake Center (MRIC) will open in Corsicana, Texas, on Monday, June 22, at 9 a.m. to serve homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained damage as a result of the May 4-June 19 severe storms and flooding.

Specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are there to answer questions and provide information on the types of assistance available to survivors.

Location and dates of operation

College Park Mall3500 West 7th Ave.Corsicana, TX 75110Hours of Operation: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily until further notice

People who had storm damage also can register for FEMA assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call 800-621-3362 toll free from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily until further notice. Multilingual operators are available.

Flood survivors statewide should call and report their damage to give the state and FEMA a better idea of the assistance that is needed in undesignated counties.

Assistance for eligible survivors can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, and for other serious disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs. Low-interest disaster loans from SBA also may be available to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

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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 article:

Mobile Registration Intake Center to Open in Navarro County for Texas Flood Survivors

FEMA Disaster Assistance Extended to Additional Counties

OKLAHOMA CITY – Additional counties are now approved for Individual Assistance and for Public Assistance as a result of severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding that began on May 5.

Homeowners, renters and business owners in four more Oklahoma counties affected by storms that occurred from May 5 through June 4 can now apply for state and federal disaster assistance. These counties are Choctaw, Cotton, Rogers and Tillman, which brings the total approved to 24.

Individual Assistance was extended to those counties after a review of on-going damage assessments by the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Disaster assistance for qualified applicants may include:

Grants for rental assistance or temporary housing;
Grants for home repairs not covered by insurance;
Grants for serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance—such as medical, dental, funeral, personal property, vehicles and moving and storage; and
Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) may be available to businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, and homeowners and renters for losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

Survivors in all 24 designated counties (Atoka, Beckham, Bryan, Caddo, Canadian, Choctaw, Cleveland, Comanche, Cotton, Grady, Johnston, Kiowa, Le Flore, Marshall, McClain, McCurtain, McIntosh, Oklahoma, Pittsburg, Pottawatomie, Rogers, Seminole, Tillman, and Wagoner) who sustained losses or damage from these storms should register with FEMA as soon as possible. There are three easy ways to apply:

Online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov;
Via smartphone or web-enabled device by using the FEMA app;
Or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 800-621-3362 to register.

Additionally, Federal Public Assistance is now available to 14 more counties in Oklahoma as a result of the May 5 to June 4 storms: Craig, Custer, Dewey, Grant, Jefferson, Kay, Kingfisher, Kiowa, Major, Noble, Oklahoma, Ottawa, Roger Mills and Wagoner.

Public Assistance funding helps repair or rebuild public infrastructure such as roads, bridges, water systems, utilities and public buildings such as schools. Types of entities that may be eligible for Public Assistance include:

Local governments and special districts
Certain private nonprofit organizations or institutions that conduct activities of a governmental nature and are open to the general public;
Federally recognized tribes; and
State government agencies.

Adair, Atoka, Beckham, Bryan, Caddo, Canadian, Carter, Choctaw, Cleveland, Coal, Comanche, Cotton, Creek, Garvin, Grady, Haskell, Hughes, Jackson, Johnston, Latimer, Le Flore, Logan, Love, Marshall, McClain, McCurtain, McIntosh, Murray, Muskogee, Okfuskee, Okmulgee, Pittsburg, Pontotoc, Pottawatomie, Pushmataha, Seminole, Sequoyah, Stephens, Tillman, and Washita counties are also eligible for Public Assistance funding, totaling 54 counties in all.

For more information on Oklahoma disaster recovery, click http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4222 or visit the OEM site at www.oem.ok.gov.

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The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) prepares for, responds to, recovers from and mitigates against emergencies and disasters. The department delivers services to Oklahoma cities, towns and counties through a network of more than 350 local emergency managers.

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.

Link –

FEMA Disaster Assistance Extended to Additional Counties

Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Houston, Texas

AUSTIN, Texas – A State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is now open in Harris County for homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained damage as a result of the ongoing severe storms, tornadoes and flooding.

Specialists from the State of Texas, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), nongovernmental organizations and the local community are on hand to answer questions and provide information on the types of assistance available to survivors.

The recovery center will serve as a central location for survivors who need one-on-one assistance. State and federal professionals will be available to help eligible survivors get help as quickly as possible.

Location and hours of operation

Leonel Castillo Community Center
2101 South Street
Houston, TX 77009

Hours of operation (until further notice):
Monday-Friday 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Sunday – Closed

Visiting with a recovery specialist is not a requirement for survivors who want disaster assistance, but the centers are an excellent way for people to get answers to their questions about disaster aid and help applying for it. Some of the services may include:

Guidance regarding disaster recovery
Clarification of any written correspondence received
Housing Assistance and Rental Resources information
Answers to questions, resolutions to problems and referrals to agencies that may provide further assistance
Status of applications being processed by FEMA

Flood survivors statewide should call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 and report their damage to give the state and FEMA a better idea of the assistance that is needed in undesignated counties.

Assistance for eligible survivors can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, and for other serious disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs. Low-interest disaster loans from SBA also may be available to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

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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 link:

Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Houston, Texas

Mobile Registration Intake Center Opens in Fort Bend County for Texas Flood Survivors

AUSTIN, Texas – A Mobile Registration Intake Center (MRIC) has opened in Rosenberg, Texas, to serve homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained damage as a result of the ongoing severe storms and flooding.

Location and dates of operation

Fort Bend County Rosenberg Annex
4520 Reading Road
Rosenberg, TX 77471
10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily until further notice

Flood survivors statewide should call and report their damage to give the state and FEMA a better idea of the assistance needed in undesignated counties.

Assistance for eligible survivors can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, and for other serious disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs. Low-interest disaster loans from SBA also may be available to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

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

Continue reading here:

Mobile Registration Intake Center Opens in Fort Bend County for Texas Flood Survivors

15 More Counties in Oklahoma Now Approved to Receive Federal Disaster Assistance under FEMA’s Public Assistance Program

Oklahoma City – Federal disaster assistance is now available to 15 more counties in Oklahoma as a result of the severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding that occurred May 5 to June 4.

Adair, Beckham, Caddo, Comanche, Creek, Garvin, Jackson, Logan, Marshall, McCurtain, McIntosh, Muskogee, Pushmataha, Sequoyah and Washita counties have been added to the May 26 major disaster declaration and are now eligible to receive Public Assistance.

Local governments and special districts
Certain private nonprofit organizations or institutions that conduct activities of a governmental nature and are open to the general public;
Federally recognized tribes; and
State government agencies.

Atoka, Bryan, Canadian, Carter, Choctaw, Cleveland, Coal, Cotton, Grady, Haskell, Hughes, Johnston, Latimer, Le Flore, Love, McClain, Murray, Okfuskee, Okmulgee, Pittsburg, Pontotoc, Pottawatomie, Seminole, Stephens and Tillman counties are also eligible for Public Assistance funding, totaling 40 counties in all.

Additionally, the May 26 major disaster declaration includes 13 counties for Individual Assistance, or assistance to help survivors get back on their feet after the severe weather. Those counties are Atoka, Bryan, Comanche, Cleveland, Grady, Johnston, Kiowa, Le Flore, McClain, McCurtain, Oklahoma, Pittsburg and Pottawatomie.

Individuals in the designated counties are encouraged to register for federal disaster assistance. You can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. If you use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services, call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

For more information on Oklahoma disaster recovery, click http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4222 or visit the OEM at www.oem.ok.gov.

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The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) prepares for, responds to, recovers from and mitigates against emergencies and disasters. The department delivers service to Oklahoma cities, towns and counties through a network of more than 350 local emergency managers.

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.

Link to original:

15 More Counties in Oklahoma Now Approved to Receive Federal Disaster Assistance under FEMA’s Public Assistance Program

Beware of Fraud in Wake of Disasters

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma residents whose properties were damaged in the recent storms and flooding are warned to be alert for, and urged to report, any potential fraud during recovery and rebuilding efforts, according to the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The aftermath of a disaster can attract opportunists and confidence artists. Homeowners, renters and businesses can follow some simple steps to avoid being swindled.

Be suspicious if a contractor:

Demands cash or full payment up front for repair work;
Has no physical address or identification;
Urges you to borrow to pay for repairs, then steers you to a specific lender or tries to act as an intermediary between you and a lender;
Asks you to sign something you have not had time to review; or
Wants your personal financial information to start the repair or lending process.

To avoid fraud:

Question strangers offering to do repair work and demand to see identification;
Do your own research before borrowing money for repairs. Compare quotes, repayment schedules and rates. If they differ significantly, ask why;
Never give any personal financial information to an unfamiliar person; and
Never sign any document without first reading it fully. Ask for an explanation of any terms or conditions you do not understand.

Disasters also attract people who claim to represent charities but do not. The Federal Trade Commission warns people to be careful and follow some simple rules:

Donate to charities you know and trust. Be alert for charities that seem to have sprung up overnight.
If you’re solicited for a donation, ask if the caller is a paid fundraiser, whom they work for, and the percentage of your donation that will go to the charity and to the fundraiser. If you don’t get a clear answer — or if you don’t like the answer you get — consider donating to a different organization.
Do not give out personal or financial information – including your credit card or bank account number – unless you know the charity is reputable.
Never send cash: you can’t be sure the organization will receive your donation.
Check out a charity before you donate. Contact the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance at www.give.org.

If you believe you are the victim of a contracting scam, price-gouging or bogus charity solicitations, contact local law enforcement and report it to the Oklahoma Office of the Attorney General. Find a complaint form online at www.ok.gov/oag. The Federal Trade Commission takes complaints at www.ftc.gov/complaint.

Many legitimate people — insurance agents, FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance personnel, local inspectors and actual contractors — may have to visit your storm-damaged property. Survivors could, however, encounter people posing as inspectors, government officials or contractors in a bid to obtain personal information or collect payment for repair work. Your best strategy to protect yourself against fraud is to ask to see identification in all cases and to safeguard your personal financial information. Please keep in mind that local, state and federal employees do not solicit or accept money for their services to the citizens.

All FEMA employees and contractors will have a laminated photo ID. A FEMA shirt or jacket alone is not proof of identity. FEMA generally will request an applicant’s Social Security or bank account numbers only during the initial registration process. However, FEMA inspectors might require verification of identity. FEMA and U.S. Small Business Administration staff never charge applicants for disaster assistance, inspections or help filling out applications. FEMA inspectors verify damages but do not recommend or hire specific contractors to fix homes.

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The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) prepares for, responds to, recovers from and mitigates against emergencies and disasters. The department delivers service to Oklahoma cities, towns and counties through a network of more than 350 local emergency managers.

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.

Excerpt from:

Beware of Fraud in Wake of Disasters

Rumors versus Facts About Texas Flood Disaster Assistance

FEMA Registration

RUMOR: Survivors can’t register for FEMA assistance if they have insurance.
FACT: Survivors may be eligible for FEMA disaster aid for their uninsured and underinsured losses and damage.

RUMOR: When survivors register, they immediately qualify and receive payments from FEMA.
FACT: After survivors register, their completed applications are reviewed, and an inspector may call to schedule an inspection at their home. If survivors are eligible for assistance, they should receive a U.S. Treasury/State check or notification of a direct deposit to their bank accounts. Other types of assistance may be provided later, based on specific eligibility and need.

RUMOR: Survivors can’t register if their county isn’t listed in the Presidential declaration.
FACT: If Texans had storm-related damages or losses, please register! Other counties may be designated for assistance as floodwaters recede and damage assessments are completed. Please call toll-free 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585 to register.

FEMA Disaster Assistance

RUMOR: It takes a long time for disaster aid to reach survivors.
FACT: FEMA already has Individual Assistance specialists on the ground in Texas and some survivors already have received grants. Specialists will continue to process assistance for eligible survivors as applications are received.

RUMOR: If survivors receive FEMA assistance, it could reduce their Social Security benefits.
FACT: Disaster assistance does not count as income. FEMA assistance will not affect Social Security or other federal benefits.

Disaster Assistance for Noncitizens

RUMOR: Federal assistance is available only to U.S. citizens.
FACT: Storm survivors who are in the United States legally, but who are not U.S. citizens, may be eligible for disaster assistance. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, noncitizen nationals or qualified aliens to receive federal monetary assistance. The legal status of qualified aliens will not be jeopardized by applying for aid.

Disaster assistance also may be available to a household if a parent or guardian who is not eligible for assistance applies on behalf of a minor child who is a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national or qualified alien. The guardian only certifies for the child.

Additionally, low-interest disaster assistance loans for noncitizen-owned businesses of all sizes (including landlords), homeowners and renters may be available from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

Renters

RUMOR: Renters can’t get FEMA aid.
FACT: Renters in designated counties whose homes were made unlivable by a disaster may be eligible for FEMA disaster grants to help pay for rent and other serious disaster-related needs.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

RUMOR: Only businesses can get low-interest disaster loans from SBA.
FACT: SBA low-interest disaster loans are available to homeowners and renters, as well as businesses of all sizes (including landlords) and private nonprofit organizations, for disaster damages not fully covered by insurance or other compensation.

FEMA Inspectors

RUMOR: It takes weeks before a FEMA housing inspector visits.
FACT: On this recovery operation, it is taking between one and two days for an inspector to call and schedule a property inspection.

Debris Removal

RUMOR: The county will charge individuals if they don’t have debris removed in a week.
FACT: Debris removal guidelines vary by location. For accurate information about what’s happening in your area, contact your county or city offices.

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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.

Source article:

Rumors versus Facts About Texas Flood Disaster Assistance

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