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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source – 

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

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – State and local governments and certain nonprofit organizations in two additional Alabama counties may now apply for federal disaster assistance under the Public Assistance program for eligible response and recovery expenses.

Houston and Washington Counties were added Monday to the May 2 major disaster declaration issued by President Barack Obama for the April 28 to May 5 severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding that struck Alabama.

The two additional counties are now eligible to apply for all seven categories (Categories A-G)  listed under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Public Assistance program.

Categories A and B cover debris removal and emergency protective measures such as search and rescue and provision of shelters or emergency care, while categories C through G include more permanent work on infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, public buildings and contents, as well as water facilities, public utilities and parks.

Under the Public Assistance program, FEMA reimburses applicants a minimum of 75 percent of their eligible expenses. The remaining 25 percent non-federal share comes from state and local sources. The state manages the grants for all projects.

The twenty total counties in Alabama now eligible for Public Assistance categories A through G are Baldwin, Blount, Butler, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, DeKalb, Etowah, Franklin, Geneva, Houston, Jefferson, Lamar, Lee, Limestone, Mobile, Perry, Pickens, Tuscaloosa and Washington.

More information about FEMA’s Public Assistance program is available at fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit.

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Two Additional Alabama Counties Now Eligible For FEMA Public Assistance

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabama emergency managers kept one eye on the destruction occurring in Mississippi as they prepared for supercell storm systems to enter their state during the afternoon and early evening of April 28.

Alabamians heeded meteorologists’ dire warnings that this system appeared to be “a particularly dangerous situation” by closing schools and government offices in the early afternoon. Gov. Robert Bentley issued a state of emergency for all 67 counties because of the threat.

Storms Enter the State at 1 p.m.

All the ingredients for tornado development were parked over Alabama as the storms rolled into the northwest region of the state at about 1 p.m. When the outbreak subsided at 6:30 p.m., 29 tornadoes were recorded, homes and buildings were destroyed by high winds of up to 88 mph and hail the size of baseballs damaged roofs and vehicles.

The damage was widespread with roads impassable, trees and electrical wires down and several reports of people trapped in their homes. Five people died, 16 were injured.

In the southern part of the state, flooding was a major problem with 23.67 inches of rain recorded in Mobile. Search and rescue teams were dispatched for door-to-door searches to find trapped survivors throughout the state.

At the height of the storm, more than 126,000 power outages were reported by the state. The American Red Cross opened five shelters in hardest-hit counties. Some 65 community safe rooms were utilized, saving countless lives.

Later, meteorologists pronounced that the April 28th storms spawned the fourth highest number of tornadoes in a single event. According to the National Weather Service, the outbreak left a swath of damage almost 200 miles long across the state. The weather service also confirmed four EF-3 tornadoes (the Fujita Scale of tornado strength ranges from EF-0 to EF-5), severe storms, straight-line winds and flooding affecting 31 counties.

At the state Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Clanton, staff compiled and analyzed reports coming in from the counties. With more than $6.7 million in damages and knowing that amount surpassed the state’s ability to absorb, State Emergency Manager Art Faulkner reported to Gov. Bentley that he should seek federal assistance.

The governor asked for the help of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. President Obama expedited a major disaster declaration on May 2, opening the doors for federal aid.

Initially, four counties were declared for Individual Assistance and five counties for Public Assistance. Following a declaration amendment on May 8, another five counties were added for Individual Assistance, which provides grants for individuals and households.

On May 12, 13 counties were added for Public Assistance, which includes emergency reimbursements for protective measures, repairs to roads and bridges, public buildings and infrastructure as well as debris removal.

Counties designated for Individual Assistance include: Baldwin, Blount, DeKalb, Etowah, Jefferson, Lee, Limestone, Mobile and Tuscaloosa.

Counties designated for Public Assistance include: including Baldwin, Butler, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, DeKalb, Etowah, Franklin, Geneva, Jefferson, Lamar, Lee, Limestone, Mobile, Perry, Pickens and Tuscaloosa.

Recovery Begins

FEMA, one of Alabama’s federal partners, prepositioned a mobile command center at the Alabama EOC to assist in the response effort.

Within 24 hours of the declaration, preliminary damage assessments for Public Assistance had been completed for Baldwin, Jefferson and Limestone counties. Individual Assistance preliminary damage assessments were started in Blount, DeKalb, Etowah, Mobile and Tuscaloosa counties.

Meanwhile, FEMA staff worked to prepare for and deploy equipment for three Disaster Recovery Centers – two in Jefferson and one in Lee counties, while teams of Disaster Survivor Assistance specialists traveled to the state EOC. These teams would fan out across the state to assess, inform and report the situation in communities, as well as going door-to-door to provide on-the-spot FEMA registration for survivors.

The U.S. Small Business Administration, another federal partner, dispatched its staff to Alabama to assist in the outreach to survivors and offer low-interest rate loans to individuals and businesses.

Registration was underway. By close of business May 6, more than 1,800 registrations had been received via the FEMA call center, online and mobile registration. Twenty-six inspectors were in the field, with 1,195 damage inspections completed.

FEMA Grants Help Bring Relief to Survivors

By May 20, more than 300 FEMA and state employees were working in the Montgomery Joint Field Office to bring a sense of normalcy back to the lives of those affected by the storms.

Three weeks after the storm, FEMA had approved more than $11 million in Individual Assistance grants, another federal partner, the SBA, had approved $1.6 million in  low-interest, long-term loans. Millions more in Public Assistance dollars will help with the impact to municipalities and government services.

At peak operations, 11 Disaster Recovery Centers were operating in affected counties. More than 3,100 visits to the centers had been made to register for FEMA assistance, ask questions of state and federal officials and learn what programs were available.

At the busiest period, 52 FEMA housing inspectors were in the field, resulting in 95 percent of home damage inspections completed within two days – a rate that remains one month from the date of the disaster.

Also one month after the disaster, federal aid for Alabama tops $20 million with $15 million approved through FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program and another $5 million through approved SBA low-interest disaster loans.

With 38 FEMA housing inspectors now in the field, 95 percent of home damage inspections are being completed within two days.

As of Monday, June 2, six Disaster Recovery Centers remain open: two centers in Baldwin, two in Jefferson, and one center in each Limestone and Mobile counties. The SBA is operating a Disaster Loan Outreach center in Tuscaloosa, which also will have FEMA registration information available.

The deadline for FEMA registration is July 1.

Survivors can register at the recovery centers from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday; by phone, call 800-621-3362 (FEMA) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, multilingual operators are available; TTY is 800-462-7585; by computer, go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov; or by smartphone and tablet, use m.fema.gov.

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One Month Later: Recovery Continues in Alabama

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Senior citizens in Escambia, Jackson, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties who sustained losses during the recent severe storms and flooding need not worry that applying for federal and state disaster aid will cause them to sacrifice their Social Security benefits, pay more taxes or give up income-based benefits.

A grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency does not add to a senior’s taxable income as long as the grant is to help recover from the recent disaster.

“Severe weather can affect everyone,” said FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer Gracia Szczech, the federal official in charge of disaster recovery in Florida. “We do not want our seniors to be reluctant to apply for disaster aid. Not doing so could cause eligible citizens to miss out on much-needed assistance.”

A few questions that typically arise following a disaster declaration are:

FEMA Grants

QuestionI’m between 62 and 65 years of age, and have chosen to receive Social Security benefits.  If my income is more than a certain amount each year, I must reimburse a portion of my Social Security payment.  Will FEMA grants add to my income and require me to repay Social Security?

Answer:  No.  FEMA grants for housing and other disaster assistance are not counted as income.

Taxes

QuestionI’m over 65, but if I earn more than a certain amount, I must pay tax on my Social Security income.  Will FEMA grants boost my income and require me to pay tax on my Social Security income?

Answer:  No.  The IRS does not count FEMA grants for housing and other disaster assistance as income.

Other Assistance

QuestionWill receiving a grant cause my income to increase to the point that I am no longer eligible for Medicaid, welfare assistance or food stamps?

Answer:  No.  Grants for housing and other disaster assistance are not counted as income in determining eligibility for income-tested benefit programs that the U.S. government funds.

For more information, visit the Social Security website at www.socialsecurity.gov or call, toll-free, 800-772-1213 (for the deaf or hard of hearing, call TTY 800-325-0778). Operators are available Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

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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 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.

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Disaster Grants Won’t Affect Social Security or Taxable Income

Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas Receive More Than $1.3 Million in FEMA Preparedness Grants

DENTON, Texas — Emergency management agencies in four states – Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas – have been awarded more than $1.3 million in preparedness grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

In Arkansas, the grants total $303,459 and cover 10 Power Lift Cots and Stretchers for the Washington County Regional Ambulance Authority Central Emergency Medical Services in Fayetteville; and firefighting gear for the Lone Rock Volunteer Fire Department in Norfork, the North Pulaski Fire Protection District 15 in Jacksonville, the Sherwood Fire Department and the city of Vilonia.

In Louisiana, the grants total $470,203 and cover firefighting gear for the Allen Parish Fire District 5 in Oberlin, the Lafourche Crossing 308 Volunteer Fire Department in Thibodaux and the Marksville Fire Department.

In Oklahoma, the grants total $166,588 and cover communications equipment for the Country Corner Fire District in Sperry; a wellness and fitness program for the Drumright Fire Department; and firefighting equipment for the Boise City Volunteer Fire Department.

In Texas, the grants total $390,449 and cover firefighting equipment for the Sudan Fire/Emergency Medical Services, the Lancaster Fire Department, the 3N1 Volunteer Fire Department in Rosanky and the Kountze Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.; power stretchers and a wellness and fitness program for the Jersey Village Fire Department; and training for the Amarillo Fire Department.

The federal grants are part of the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program. The primary goal of the AFG is to meet the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical service organizations. Since 2001, AFG has helped firefighters and other first responders get critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources needed to protect the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.

For more information on the AFG program, visit http://www.fema.gov/assistance-firefighters-grant.

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.  Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.                                                                                    

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Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas Receive More Than $1.3 Million in FEMA Preparedness Grants

 

FEMA’s New Youth Preparedness Council Includes a Texan

DENTON, Texas – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced the members of the 2014-2015 Youth Preparedness Council, which includes the Region 6 member from Texas, Obie Jones.

Jones is 16-years-old and is from the Austin area. He started a Teen Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program at his school. He’s also an Eagle Scout, a member of the Austin Police Department Explorer program and supported recent flooding response efforts in Austin by helping rescue and shelter affected animals.

FEMA’s Youth Preparedness Council was formed in 2012 to bring together youth leaders from across the country who are interested in advocating on behalf of youth preparedness and making a difference in their communities. The Council furthers FEMA’s commitment to involve youth in preparedness-related activities. It also provides an avenue to get their perspectives, feedback and opinions.

The 2014 application process produced a large number of highly-qualified applicants. The 12 newest members of the Council were chosen based on their dedication to public service, community involvement and potential to expand their effectiveness as national advocates for youth preparedness.

The other members selected in 2014 include:

  • FEMA Region 1: Bridget Smith (Connecticut)
  • FEMA Region 2: James Collins (New Jersey)
  • FEMA Region 3: Sahara Duncan (Pennsylvania)
  • FEMA Region 4: Jonathan Salazar (Florida)
  • FEMA Region 5: Isaiah Garcia (Michigan)
  • FEMA Region 7: Austin Witt (Iowa)
  • FEMA Region 8: Weston Lee (Utah)
  • FEMA Region 8: Matthew Mayfield (Colorado)
  • FEMA Region 9: Brittany Amano (Hawaii)
  • FEMA Region 9: Navjot Hansra (California)
  • FEMA Region 10: Raylene Ensminger (Washington)

The returning Council members are:

  • Council Chairperson: Emily Rosenblum (Missouri)
  • FEMA Region 2:  Sophie Friedfeld-Gebaide (New York)
  • FEMA Region 5:  Daniel Wernsman (Wisconsin)

Each Council member completes a self-selected legacy project during his or her term.  Council members also participate in a Youth Preparedness Council Summit where they share their ideas, opinions and questions about youth disaster preparedness with the leadership of national organizations working on this critical priority.  Members also meet with FEMA throughout their term to provide input on strategies, initiatives and projects.

To learn more about FEMA’s youth preparedness efforts, please visit: www.ready.gov/youth-preparedness-council.

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

Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

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FEMA’s New Youth Preparedness Council Includes a Texan

JACKSON, Miss. – Residents in the Louisville area can learn how to build or rebuild to reduce the likelihood of damage the next time severe storms, tornadoes or floods hit. Federal Emergency Management Agency’s mitigation experts know how and they are sharing their knowledge.

FEMA mitigation specialists will be at Winston County Co-Op in Louisville Friday, Saturday and Monday to discuss specific methods with anyone who stops by. They will have free booklets and pamphlets with additional details.

Friday-Saturday, May 30-31, and Monday, June 2

Winston County Co-Op

408 W. Main St.

Louisville, Miss. 39339

Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Monday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Disaster survivors in Itawamba, Jones, Leake, Lee, Lowndes, Madison, Montgomery, Rankin, Simpson, Warren, Wayne and Winston counties may be eligible for FEMA’s Individual Assistance program.

Individuals and households in those counties can online at DisasterAssistance.gov, via smartphone or tablet at m.FEMA.gov or by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362). People who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY should call 800-462-7585. Lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (central time) and assistance is available in multiple languages.

For more information on Mississippi disaster recovery, go to FEMA.gov/Disaster/4175. Visit the MEMA site at msema.org or on Facebook at facebook.com/msemaorg.

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 800-621-3362. 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 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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FEMA Rebuilding Experts to Provide Advice in Louisville

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – A letter denying assistance to storm survivors may not be the last word.

Every applicant for federal assistance has the right to file an appeal for another review of their case. In filing an appeal, documentation that proves the applicant’s reason for filing the appeal must be included.

A denial letter does not necessarily mean an applicant is not eligible for assistance,” said Federal

For example, an applicant might receive a letter indicating that the Federal Emergency Management Agency did not receive all the information it needed to provide the applicant with assistance.  In that particular case, an appeal that provides all the missing information may be successful,” he said.

It is important that applicants read all letters from FEMA carefully,” added Lewis.

“We want to ensure everyone who is eligible receives all the assistance they are entitled to,” said Alabama Emergency Management Agency Director, Art Faulkner. “People should not be discouraged if they need to file an appeal to be sure they access the available help.”

Assistance may be denied because the applicant failed to provide complete information to support their initial claim.

Some reasons for a denial because of incomplete information are that the applicant did not:

  • Provide an insurance denial or settlement letter.
  • Provide proof that the damaged property was the primary residence at the time of the disaster;
  • Provide evidence of identity;
  • Provide documentation of the disaster damage;
  • Provide proof of ownership of the damaged property;
  • Sign all the documents.

If an applicant receives an award but believes the amount to be too low, an appeal for a higher award can be submitted with documentation to support the change to the award.

If an applicant’s damages and losses are covered by insurance, the application may be denied because FEMA cannot duplicate benefits.

Appeals must be postmarked within 60 days of receipt of a letter denying assistance. Applicants or someone they designate to act on their behalf must explain in writing why they believe the initial response was wrong and provide any new or additional information and documents that support the appeal.

More information on filing an appeal is in the Applicant’s Guide FEMA mails to each applicant and online at  www.fema.gov. Applicants may talk with experts daily 7 a.m. 10 p.m. on FEMA’s toll free Helpline, 800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 800-462-7585. Applicants can check the status of their appeals by calling these same numbers or online at: www.fema.gov.

 

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Denial of Disaster Assistance May Be Appealed

CHICAGO –The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released $238,219 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds to Savanna, Ill., for the acquisition and demolition of eight residential structures in the Plum River floodplain.Following demolition, these properties will be maintained as permanent open space in the community.

“The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program enables communities to implement critical mitigation measures to reduce the risk of loss of life and property,” said FEMA Region V Administrator Andrew Velasquez III. “The acquisition and demolition of these structures permanently removes them from the floodplain and greatly reduces the financial impact on individuals and the community when future flooding occurs in this area.”

“Approval of this grant is good news for these Savanna residents who have been devastated by flooding many times in the past,” said Jonathon Monken, director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. “The grant will enable them to move out of the Plum River floodplain and avoid future heartache and property losses.”

HMGP provides grants to state and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures. Through HMGP, FEMA will pay 75 percent of the $317,625 eligible project cost. The remaining 25 percent of the funds, $79,406, will be provided by the city of Savanna.

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

Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/femaregion5, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema.  Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

Media Contact: Cassie Ringsdorf, (312) 408-4455

 

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FEMA Awards $238,219 Grant to City of Savanna: Hazard mitigation funds will be used to acquire and demolish eight flood prone structures

JACKSON, Miss. – Some Mississippi tornado survivors who registered for federal disaster assistance may receive letters or other correspondence from the Federal Emergency Management Agency that say they’re ineligible for help.

However, in many cases, they may be able to turn what appears to be a ‘no’ into a ‘yes’ by following through and providing additional information.

It’s important for survivors to carefully read letters and other information provided by FEMA because they include explanations of what steps need to be taken to have the status of their request for assistance reconsidered by FEMA.

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

  • Submitting insurance settlement documents to FEMA.
  • Providing proof of ownership and primary residence at that address at the time of the disaster.
  • Signing essential documents.

Survivors can ask FEMA to review their application again if they appeal the agency’s decision in writing and their letter is postmarked within 60 days of the date on the FEMA decision letter (not the date they received the FEMA letter.)

FEMA cannot duplicate assistance that comes from insurance benefits or other sources, but FEMA’s initial determination of ineligibility may change if private insurance or other government assistance is not enough to cover all the eligible damage.

If the decision is ineligible due to insurance coverage, the applicant may send their insurance settlement documents to FEMA within 12 months of the date they registered with FEMA. Insured applicants are encouraged to always submit their settlement documents for a final decision on whether they qualify for a FEMA grant.

Applicants can appeal FEMA’s decision. When appealing, 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 ‘4175-DR-MS’ on all pages of documents.
  • Applicant information, including:
    • Nine-digit FEMA application number on all pages of documents,
    • Full name,
    • Date and place of birth, and
    • 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.
  • A copy of a state-issued identification card, unless the letter is notarized or includes the following statement: “I hereby declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.”
  • The applicant’s signature.

Applicants may mail appeal letters to:

FEMA

National Processing Service Center

P.O. Box 10055

Hyattsville, MD  20782-7055

Applicants may fax appeal letters to:

800-827-8112

Attention: FEMA

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

If applicants have any questions about appealing a decision, they should call 800-621-FEMA (3362) or

TTY 800-462-7585 or go to FEMA.gov/Help-After-Disaster.

For more information on Mississippi disaster recovery, go to fema.gov/disaster/4175. Visit the MEMA site at msema.org or on Facebook at facebook.com/msemaorg.

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.

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Mississippi Disaster Survivors: Read any FEMA Correspondence Carefully

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