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FEMA Grants Are Not Taxable Income

WINDSOR, Conn. – Hurricane Sandy survivors receiving Social Security or other government aid have no cause for concern when it comes to how disaster assistance might affect their benefits.

Disaster assistance grants are not taxable income and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid, medical waiver programs, welfare assistance, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, food stamps, Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability Insurance.

To be eligible for federal disaster assistance, survivors must first register with FEMA. The process only takes about 20 minutes.

Survivors can register online anytime day or night at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or with a smartphone or other web-enabled device at m.fema.gov. Survivors can also register by phone anytime by calling FEMA at 800-621-3362. The TTY number is 800-462-7585. Multilingual operators are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Wait for the English message to finish to reach the multilingual operators.

The deadline to register is Dec. 31. Registering for disaster assistance with other agencies or organizations does not register survivors for FEMA disaster assistance. Having FEMA flood insurance does not register policyholders for disaster assistance; flood insurance claims are handled separately.

Survivors also may visit a Disaster Recovery Center to speak directly with a FEMA specialist who can answer their questions. For an updated list of DRCs, go to http://go.usa.gov/g2Td.

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 800-621-3362. For TTY, call 800-462-7585.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private nonprofit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and covers 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.

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

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FEMA Grants Are Not Taxable Income

Federal Aid Programs for the State of West Virginia Declaration

Main Content

Release date:

November 27, 2012

Release Number:

HQ-12-151Factsheet

Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Obama’s disaster declaration issued for the State of West Virginia.

Assistance for the State and Affected Local Governments Can Include as Required:

Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for removing debris from public areas and for emergency measures, including direct federal assistance, taken to save lives and protect property and public health. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)
Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, bridges, utilities, buildings, schools, recreational areas and similar publicly owned property, as well as certain private non-profit organizations engaged in community service activities. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)

Payment of not more than 75 percent of the approved costs for hazard mitigation projects undertaken by state and local governments to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural or technological disasters. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)

How to Apply for Assistance:

Application procedures for state and local governments will be explained at a series of federal/state applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials. Approved public repair projects are paid through the state from funding provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies.

FEMA’s mission is to support our first responders and 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.

Stay informed of FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts available at www.fema.gov/medialibrary and www.youtube.com/fema ; follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/fema and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fema.

Last Updated:

November 27, 2012 – 13:24

State or Region:

West Virginia

and

Region III

Related Disaster:

West Virginia Hurricane Sandy

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Federal Aid Programs for the State of West Virginia Declaration

Federal Aid Programs for the Commonwealth of Virginia Declaration

Main Content

Release date:

November 26, 2012

Release Number:

HQ-12-150Factsheet

Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Obama’s disaster declaration issued for the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Assistance for the Commonwealth and Affected Local Governments Can Include as Required:

Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for removing debris from public areas and for emergency measures, including direct federal assistance, taken to save lives and protect property and public health. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)
Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, bridges, utilities, buildings, schools, recreational areas and similar publicly owned property, as well as certain private non-profit organizations engaged in community service activities. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)

Payment of not more than 75 percent of the approved costs for hazard mitigation projects undertaken by state and local governments to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural or technological disasters. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)

How to Apply for Assistance:

Application procedures for state and local governments will be explained at a series of federal/state applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials. Approved public repair projects are paid through the state from funding provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies.

Last Updated:

November 26, 2012 – 22:30

State or Region:

Virginia

and

Region III

Related Disaster:

Virginia Hurricane Sandy

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Federal Aid Programs for the Commonwealth of Virginia Declaration

President Declared Disaster for Commonwealth of Virginia

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to Virginia to supplement the commonwealth and local recovery efforts in the area affected by Hurricane Sandy during the period of Oct. 26 to Nov. 8, 2012.

The President’s action makes federal funding available to the commonwealth and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by Hurricane Sandy in the counties of Accomack, Arlington, Clarke, Craig, Culpeper, Essex, Fauquier, Frederick, Greene, Highland, King and Queen, Lancaster, Loudoun, Madison, Mathews, Middlesex, Nelson, Northampton, Northumberland, Prince William, Rappahannock, Shenandoah, Surry, Warren, and Westmoreland and the independent cities of Fairfax, Falls Church, and Manassas.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for all counties and independent cities in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

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

Follow FEMA online at fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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President Declared Disaster for Commonwealth of Virginia

More than $649 Million Approved for New York State Hurricane Sandy Survivors

Main Content

Release date:

November 24, 2012

Release Number:

NR-050

NEW YORK — Since Hurricane Sandy struck New York, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved more than $649 million to help individuals and families recover from the disaster.

FEMA is reaching out to all 13 designated counties with attention focused on the hardest hit areas of New York State. Assistance to the hardest-hit areas includes:

Bronx $1.5 million
Kings $134.2 million
Nassau $221.2 million
New York $7.5 million
Queens $167.6 million
Richmond $68.3 million
Suffolk $45.8 million

FEMA provides the following snapshot of the disaster recovery effort as of November 24:

More than 228,000 New Yorkers have contacted FEMA for information or registered for assistance with FEMA and more than $649 million has been approved. Almost 117,000 have applied through the online application site at www.disasterassistance.gov, or on their smart phone at m.fema.gov.

35 Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are open in the affected areas. These include mobile sites as well as fixed sites, and to date nearly 50,000 survivors have been assisted at DRCs in New York.

Nearly 1,300 inspectors in the field have completed more than 127,000 home inspections.
1,099 Community Relations (CR) specialists are strategically positioned throughout affected communities, going door-to-door explaining the types of disaster assistance available and how to register. More teams continue to arrive daily.

9 fixed feeding sites are being operated by the New York City Office of Emergency Management.

2 Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMATs), 1 Rapid Deployment Force (RDF),1 Prescription Medication Task Force Team (PMTFT) and 1 National Veterinary Response Team (NVRT) from the Department of Health and Human Services remain deployed in New York.

13 New York counties are designated for both individual and public assistance, including: Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has staff members at 18 Business Recovery Centers in the New York area to provide one-on-one help to business owners seeking disaster assistance and has approved more than $23.6 million in disaster loans to both individuals and businesses.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has moved 38,400 cubic yards of debris by barge out of the New York City area. To date, 45 loaded barges have transported debris via the Hudson River keeping up to 450 trucks off of local roadways.

Nearly 900 New York National Guard (NYNG) soldiers continue to support recovery operations in New York City, conducting door to door wellness checks in Far Rockaway. The National Guard, working in partnership with local authorities, visited more than 850 residences to assess local needs.

Individuals can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via smart phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 1-800-621-3362. Multilingual telephone operators are available to help non-English-speaking survivors register for disaster aid and to get their questions answered. After dialing FEMA’s registration/helpline callers should choose Option 3. FEMA can provide translation/interpretation services over the phone.

People who have a speech disability or hearing impairment can call TTY 800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services may call 800-621-3362.

The toll-free telephone numbers operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice.

Last Updated:

November 24, 2012 – 19:07

State or Region:

New York

Related Disaster:

New York Hurricane Sandy

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More than $649 Million Approved for New York State Hurricane Sandy Survivors

Fill Out Your Small Business Administration Loan Application This Thanksgiving Weekend

NEW YORK – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration (SBA) remind Hurricane Sandy survivors that the Thanksgiving weekend is a perfect time to fill out their SBA disaster loan applications.

An SBA disaster loan, which is part of the FEMA grant process, can help homeowners, renters and businesses cover any repair or rebuilding costs not covered by private insurance or cover disaster-related damage costs that exceed the initial estimate. Homeowners can receive loans of up to $200,000 to repair or replace their primary residences. Homeowners and renters may also borrow up to $40,000 to replace damaged or destroyed personal property including vehicles.

Businesses and private nonprofits can apply for loans of up to $2 million. Interest rates for businesses are as low as 4 percent to cover physical damage and economic injury caused by the disaster. For private nonprofits, interest rates are as low as 3 percent and for homeowners and renters the rates are as low as 1.688 percent with terms as long as 30 years.

Survivors who receive a low-interest disaster loan application from SBA after registering with FEMA should complete and return the application even if they do not plan to accept a loan. By completing the application, applicants may become eligible for additional grants from FEMA. By not completing and returning the applications, survivors could potentially be leaving recovery assistance money on the table.

SBA customer service representatives are available to issue or accept low-interest disaster loan applications and answer questions at all New York State/FEMA disaster recovery centers and
18 SBA business recovery centers. To locate the nearest business recovery center, visit www.sba.gov or call 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339.) To find the nearest disaster recovery center, check out the disaster recovery center locator at www.FEMA.gov/disaster-recovery-centers or, with a tablet or smartphone, go to m.fema.gov. You may also text “DRC” and your Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA). For example, if you lived in Staten Island, you would text: “DRC 10301.” Or call 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585).

Applicants may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application via SBA’s secure website at https://DisasterLoan.SBA.gov/ELA. More information is available by calling the SBA Disaster Customer Service Center toll-free number, 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339.) Assistance is also available by sending an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov or by visiting www.sba.gov

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Fill Out Your Small Business Administration Loan Application This Thanksgiving Weekend

Use FEMA Disaster Funds Wisely

WINDSOR, Conn. – As recovery from Hurricane Sandy progresses, survivors are receiving grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help pay for getting their lives back together.

“It is important for survivors to use this money for their recovery,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Albert Lewis, who is in charge of the FEMA recovery effort in Connecticut. “With the holidays approaching, don’t be tempted to use some of this money in ways it is not intended to be used. Don’t slow down your recovery; use this money wisely.”

Money from FEMA for housing or other needs assistance must be used for rent, home repair, personal property or other disaster-related expenses.

Disaster officials caution survivors who have received grants that FEMA can and does look at a survivor’s use of grant funds through audits, so it is essential all receipts for rent, materials, labor, etc., be kept in a safe place.

Survivors can register online anytime day or night at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or with a smartphone or web-enabled device at m.fema.gov. Survivors can also register by phone anytime by calling FEMA at 800-621-3362. The TTY number is 800-462-7585. Multilingual operators are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The deadline to register is Dec. 31, 2012.

Registering for disaster assistance with other agencies or organizations does not register survivors for FEMA disaster assistance. Having FEMA flood insurance does not register policyholders for disaster assistance; flood insurance claims are handled separately.

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Use FEMA Disaster Funds Wisely

Federal Support to New York State for the Response to Hurricane Sandy

Main Content

Release date:

November 20, 2012

Release Number:

NR-042

NEW YORK — Since Hurricane Sandy struck New York, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved more than $564 million to help individuals and families recover from the disaster.

FEMA is reaching out to all 13 designated counties with attention focused on the hardest hit areas of New York State. To date, more than $564 million has been approved. Assistance to the hardest hit areas includes:

Bronx $1,043,794
Kings $110,617,942
Nassau $201,620,599
New York $5,063,854
Queens $152,299,955
Richmond $57,956,106
Suffolk $33,641,959

FEMA provides the following snapshot of the disaster recovery effort as of Nov. 20:

Nearly 219,000 New Yorkers have contacted FEMA for information or registered for assistance with FEMA and more than $564 million has been approved. More than 112,000 have applied through the online application site at www.disasterassistance.gov, or on their smart phone at m.fema.gov.
34 Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are open in the affected areas. These include mobile sites as well as fixed sites, and to date more than 40,000 survivors have been assisted at DRCs in New York state.
Nearly 1,300 inspectors in the field have completed more than 102,000 home inspections.
1,062 Community Relations (CR) specialists are strategically positioned throughout affected communities, going door to door explaining the types of disaster assistance available and how to register. More teams continue to arrive daily.
6 Points of Distribution (PODs) are open and providing supplies to the affected residents and 10 fixed feeding sites are being operated by the New York City Office of Emergency Management.
4 Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMATs), 1 Rapid Deployment Force (RDF) and 1 National Veterinary Response Team (NVRT) from the Department of Health and Human Services are deployed in New York.
13 New York counties are designated for both individual and public assistance, including: Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has staff members at 18 Business Recovery Centers in the New York area to provide one-on-one help to business owners seeking disaster assistance and has approved more than $11 million in disaster loans.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is using sixteen 500-ton barges and one 2,200-ton barge to transport Hurricane Sandy debris from a temporary storage site at Fresh Kills Landfill in Staten Island to permanent disposal sites in upstate New York.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has had field staff out in impacted areas to make sure that workers and businesses are aware of the hazards involved with the clean-up and recovery operations. As of Nov. 19th, OSHA personnel have performed 507 safety and health briefings reaching 12,423 workers, including 2,966 that don’t speak English. Additionally, OSHA has conducted 764 direct interventions at worksites that are involved in storm recovery operations, removing 2,656 employees from recognized hazards.
Individuals can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via smart phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) should call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice.

Last Updated:

November 21, 2012 – 15:13

State or Region:

New York

Related Disaster:

New York Hurricane Sandy

Link:

Federal Support to New York State for the Response to Hurricane Sandy

Deadline Extended Again for Isaac-Related Flood Insurance Claims in Louisiana

BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana property owners with flood insurance policies whose homes or other structures were damaged during Hurricane Isaac have an additional 60 days to file claims for their flood-related losses. This means policyholders have until late January 2013 to file.

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) usually requires claims to be reported within 60 days from the date of loss. Two extensions have been granted, however, because access to NFIP-insured homes and other buildings was delayed due to infrastructure damage and high floodwaters. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administers the program.

Meanwhile, the deadline for individuals, renters and business owners to register with FEMA for disaster assistance remains Nov. 29.

With the latest 60-day extension on flood insurance claims, Louisianians have 150 days from the date of their insured loss to submit a claim, known as Proof of Loss. Hurricane Isaac made first landfall in Louisiana on Aug. 28, with heavy rainfall and flooding occurring within several days before and after it hit. For this reason the date of loss varies for property owners.

“We encourage people who have not filed a flood insurance claim to take advantage of this filing extension to document their losses,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Gerard M. Stolar of FEMA. “This extension should provide Louisianians a chance to file claims on damages sustained during Hurricane Isaac.”

Since Isaac made landfall, the NFIP has paid out more than $370 million on 12,864 claims in Louisiana.

Policyholders with questions about flood insurance should visit www.floodsmart.gov.

More information on Louisiana disaster recovery is available online at www.fema.gov/disaster/4080 or www.gohsep.la.gov. FEMA is also on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion6 and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA.

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Deadline Extended Again for Isaac-Related Flood Insurance Claims in Louisiana

Some Storm Damage May Not Be Obvious—Inspect Furnaces Thoroughly

WINDSOR, Conn. – Hurricanes roll through with strong winds and storm surges that leave an ugly path in their wake. But not all damage is immediate or obvious, so survivors who experienced high winds, flooding or water damage should check their furnaces thoroughly.

As cold weather continues, concerns about furnaces include:

Leaks in gas lines and oil pipes;
Corrosion of electrical wiring from exposure to salt water;
Problems with oil pumps moved or shaken by high winds or flooding;
Debris lodged in chimneys; and,
Sediment or mold that could blow into the house from ducts exposed to water.

“Recovery is a process that involves many steps, but don’t forget to think safety first,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Albert Lewis of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. “Local codes may require you to hire a licensed professional to check your wiring or gas lines, so check your local ordinances.”

For more information about recovering after the storm, visit a Disaster Recovery Center or check out the information online at www.ready.gov/recovering-disaster.

No matter how large or small the loss, anyone who experienced damage from Hurricane Sandy should register with FEMA. It does not matter whether the survivor has insurance or not, or is a homeowner or renter.

Survivors can register online anytime day or night at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or with a smartphone or device at m.fema.gov. Survivors can also register by phone anytime by calling FEMA at 800-621-3362. The TTY number is 800-462-7585. Multilingual operators are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, except for Thanksgiving Day when the hours are 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. The deadline to register is Dec. 31, 2012.

Having FEMA flood insurance does not register policyholders for disaster assistance.

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Some Storm Damage May Not Be Obvious—Inspect Furnaces Thoroughly

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