Texans in Four Additional Counties May Now Apply for Federal Disaster Assistance

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

The four Texas counties newly designated for Individual Assistance are:

Hood, Madison, Shelby and Wharton.

They join 42 counties already designated for Individual Assistance: Angelina, Bastrop, Blanco, Bowie, Brazoria, Caldwell, Cherokee, Cooke, Dallas, Denton, Eastland, Ellis, Erath, Fannin, Fayette, Fort Bend, Frio, Gaines, Grayson, Guadalupe, Harris, Harrison, Hays, Henderson, Hidalgo, Jim Wells, Johnson, Liberty, Milam, Montague, Montgomery, Navarro, Nueces, Rusk, Smith, Travis, Trinity, Walker, Wichita, Williamson, Wise and Van Zandt.

Residents in the now 46 designated counties are eligible to apply for state and federal disaster 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) are available for eligible survivors. 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 from other agencies or organizations.

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.

Texans who had storm damage should register with FEMA even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but under-insured applicants may be eligible for help after their insurance claims have been settled.

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), call800-621-3362.

The deadline for applying is Aug. 27.

FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program has a call center to answer Texas policyholders’ flood insurance questions. Specialists can help with servicing claims, providing general information and offering technical assistance to aid in recovery. To speak with a flood insurance specialist, call 800-621-3362 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

For more information on Texas disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4223. You can follow us on Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/femaregion6 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA.

###

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

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

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

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.

Texans in Four Additional Counties May Now Apply for Federal Disaster Assistance

Disaster Recovery Center To Open in Cherokee County, Texas

AUSTIN, Texas – A State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) will open on Monday, July 20, at 12 p.m. in Cherokee County for homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained damage as a result of the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding from May 4 to June 19.

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. Services are provided in English and Spanish.

The recovery center serves survivors from any of the 42 counties designated for Individual Assistance who need one-on-one help. State and federal professionals will be available to assist eligible survivors to get help as quickly as possible.

Location and hours of operation

Norman Activity Center
526 East Commerce St

Jacksonville, TX 75766

12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday
The DRC will cease operations at 6 p.m. on Friday, July 24

People who had storm damage 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.

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.

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

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 may be available to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other resources and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

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.

For more information on Texas recovery, visit the disaster web page at www.fema.gov/disaster/4223. Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem.

###

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.

For more information on Texas recovery, visit the disaster web page at www.fema.gov/disaster/4223, Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem.

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

Continued here:

Disaster Recovery Center To Open in Cherokee County, Texas

Disaster Recovery Center To Open in Blanco County for Texas Flood Survivors

AUSTIN, Texas – A State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) will open on Monday, July 20, at 12 p.m. in Blanco County for homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained damage as a result of the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding from May 4 to June 19.

Location and hours of operation

Gem of the Hills Community Center
2233 U.S. Hwy 281 North

Blanco, TX 78606

Monday, July 20 at 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
After Monday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Closed Sundays
The DRC will cease operations at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 1

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

###

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

Read this article:

Disaster Recovery Center To Open in Blanco County for Texas Flood Survivors

Last Day to Submit Hurricane Sandy Claims for Review is 60 days away

WASHINGTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is reminding National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policyholders, who filed a claim as a result of Hurricane Sandy, that they have 60 days to register to have their files reviewed if they believe their claims were underpaid. FEMA set a Sept. 15, 2015 as the last day for policyholders to register.

FEMA is committed to ensuring every NFIP policyholder who filed a claim as a result of Hurricane Sandy receives every dollar they are due under their policy. The NFIP established a process for Hurricane Sandy survivors to have their files reviewed. Where warranted, additional payments will be made to those policyholders.

FEMA sent letters to approximately 142,000 NFIP policyholders who filed claims resulting from Hurricane Sandy, offering them an opportunity to have their files reviewed. To date, more than 8,900 policyholders have joined the process.

Establishing this review is just one step in the plan to ensure that the NFIP is survivor-centric and helps policyholders recover from flooding in a fair, transparent, and expeditious way. The Sandy claims review process is intended to be simple, navigable by the policyholder and does not require paid legal assistance. Additionally, there are several nonprofit service providers ready to offer free advice and answer questions policyholders may have. A list of these advocacy groups can be found on the claims review website at www.fema.gov/sandyclaims.

To be eligible for the review, policyholders must have experienced flood damage between Oct. 27, 2012 and Nov. 6, 2012 as a result of Hurricane Sandy. Policyholders can call the NFIP’s Hurricane Sandy claims center at 1-866-337-4262 to request a review.

Alternately, policyholders can go online to www.fema.gov/hurricane-sandy-nfip-claims to download a form requesting a review. The downloaded form may be filled out and emailed to FEMA-sandyclaimsreview@fema.dhs.gov to start the review process.

For individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability using 711 or VRS, please call 866-337-4262. For individuals using a TTY, please call 800-462-7585 to begin the review process. Before contacting the claim center, policyholders are asked to have their flood insurance carrier name and policy number at hand.

FEMA will request the policyholder’s claim file from their insurance company and forward it to the NFIP review office within two business days. Files will be assigned to a highly skilled, NFIP-certified adjuster who will serve as a caseworker for the insured. The entire process should take less than 90 days. Caseworkers will contact policyholders to guide them through the review process.

Policyholders who have already registered for the Hurricane Sandy claims review do not need to take any additional action and can expect to be contacted by their caseworker.

###

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 www.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.

Original link –

Last Day to Submit Hurricane Sandy Claims for Review is 60 days away

FEMA Officials: Don’t Wait for Insurance Settlement to Seek Disaster Aid

NORTH LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas residents living in any of the nine counties declared a federal disaster area do not have to wait for an insurance settlement to register for disaster aid for damage from the severe spring storms.

“Arkansans may find they are underinsured or that their policies do not cover temporary housing while repairing or rebuilding their homes,” said Nancy M. Casper, the federal coordinating officer with FEMA. “Don’t wait for an insurance settlement before registering with FEMA — you could miss out on disaster aid you may be eligible for.”

Residents of Crawford, Garland, Howard, Jefferson, Little River, Miller, Perry, Sebastian and Sevier counties affected by the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding during the period of May 7 to June 15, 2015 may be eligible for disaster assistance.

Many of those with damage from the storms have already filed claims for damage through their insurance. Recovery officials urge homeowners and renters to register for FEMA disaster assistance as well, even while waiting on an insurance settlement.

Once registered, applicants who expect their insurance policy to cover storm-related loss and damages are mailed a “Request for Information.” The letter details additional information to support the applicant’s need for federal disaster assistance. Applications are reviewed as part of the verification process by FEMA to avoid duplicating insurance payments.

“Don’t forget to call FEMA to update your application after you have settled with your insurance company,” said Casper. “Even if you are insured, your policy may not cover everything. Updating FEMA with insurance information could mean you are eligible for additional assistance funds.”

Individuals and business owners who sustained losses can apply for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or by web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov. Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.

The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice. Multilingual operators are available.

Link:

FEMA Officials: Don’t Wait for Insurance Settlement to Seek Disaster Aid

FEMA, State Grants Will Not Affect Social Security or Benefits

NORTH LITTLE ROCK –Arkansas residents rebuilding from the severe storms of late spring will not lose Social Security benefits, pay additional taxes, or give up income-based benefit programs if they accept federal or state disaster aid.

In most cases, the Social Security Administration does not count federal or state disaster aid as income, according to recovery officials from FEMA and the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management.

FEMA/ADEM provided these answers to two common questions:

Question: Will receiving disaster aid result in my income being increased so that I am no longer eligible for Medicaid, welfare assistance, food stamps or Aid to Families with Dependent Children?

Answer: No. Assistance for housing and Other Needs Assistance (ONA) are not counted as income in determining eligibility for any income-based benefit programs funded by the U.S. government.

Question: If I earn more than a certain amount each year, I must repay $1 of my Social Security payment for every $2 earned. Will FEMA grants add to my income and require me to repay Social Security?

Answer: No. FEMA grants for housing and ONA are not counted as income.

Residents of nine Arkansas counties affected by the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding during the period of May 7 to June 15, 2015 may be eligible for disaster assistance. Residents of Crawford, Garland, Howard, Jefferson, Little River, Miller, Perry, Sebastian, and Sevier counties are encouraged to register for assistance with FEMA.

The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice. Multilingual operators are available.

Follow this link:

FEMA, State Grants Will Not Affect Social Security or Benefits

DISASTER RECOVERY CENTERS TO OPEN: Assistance Process Starts by Registering with FEMA

CHEYENNE, WYO. – Wyoming residents in Johnson and Niobrara counties who have been affected by the flooding that occurred from May 24 to June 6 can soon visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) if they have questions about recovery programs. The DRCs opening this week are located in Buffalo and Lusk and have recovery program representatives available to help answer questions about assistance.

The DRC is set up for residents who like to speak one-on-one to recovery representatives, but it’s not necessary to visit a center to receive disaster assistance. The fastest way to register with FEMA is by phone or online. Individuals or businesses can call 1-800-621-3362 (TTY 1-800-462-7585) or go online at www.fema.gov or www.disasterassistance.gov. The registration line is open daily from 5 a.m. – 9 p.m. (MDT) until further notice. Individuals may also register by smart phone at m.fema.gov.

Even if residents previously registered with their local emergency manager or with a voluntary agency, they must still register with FEMA to access federal disaster assistance programs.

The DRCs will be open daily from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. until further notice.

Residents who plan to stop by the DRC are urged to register for assistance before their visit.

Johnson County (Opens July 14) Niobrara County (Opens July 16)

Road and Bridge Building Niobrara County Fairgrounds

325 Butte Street Shooting Sports Multiplex Complex

Buffalo, WY 82834 310 West US HWY 20

Lusk, WY 82225

Customer service representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will be at the centers to answer questions about SBA’s federal low-interest disaster loans and help business owners and residents complete their application.

FEMA Mitigation specialists are scheduled to be on hand at the DRC to provide information and answer questions about cost-effective rebuilding and repair techniques to reduce property damage in future disasters.

Original article:

DISASTER RECOVERY CENTERS TO OPEN: Assistance Process Starts by Registering with FEMA

FEMA Experts Offer Ideas to Lessen Impact of Disaster Damage

NORTH LITTLE ROCK –Teams of specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will offer tips and techniques to lessen the impact of disaster-related property damage at building supply stores in four Arkansas locations beginning Monday, July 13, 2015.

The teams will be at these Lowe’s stores:

Jefferson County: The Pines, 2906A E. Harding Ave., Pine Bluff
Crawford County: 2120 Fayetteville Road, Van Buren
Garland County: 300 Cornerstone Blvd., Hot Springs

Teams at the Lowe’s stores will be at each store from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday; and from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. The teams will not be at the store

In Howard County, FEMA specialists will be at the Bailey Discount Bldg. Supply, 880 E. Collin Raye Drive in DeQueen. Teams will be at the store from 8 a.m.to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday and on Fridays and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.

The teams will be at all four locations through Friday, July 24, 2015.

FEMA specialists offer “how-to” information on both retrofitting buildings to make them more resistant to wind damage and ways to elevate utilities against flood damage. They also provide tips to clean and help prevent mold and mildew.

Many of the tips and techniques are specifically geared for the do-it-yourselfer and for building contractors. If you have a disability and need an accommodation to access materials such as Braille, large print or ASL interpeters, please let our representatives know.

FEMA offers a number of free online resources for home and property owners. To get started, go to

www.fema.gov/safer-stronger-protected-homes-communities.

Excerpt from:

FEMA Experts Offer Ideas to Lessen Impact of Disaster Damage

Disaster Recovery Center Will Open in Nueces County

AUSTIN, Texas – A State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) will open on Monday, July 13, at 9 a.m. in Nueces County for homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained damage as a result of the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding from May 4 to June 19.

Location and hours of operation

Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairgrounds
Conference Center- Meeting Room A, B & C
1213 Terry Shamsie Blvd.
Robstown, TX 78380
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday
Closed Sunday

People who had storm damage 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.

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

###

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.

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.

View article:

Disaster Recovery Center Will Open in Nueces County

Free Advice on Preventing Damage from Future Storms Offered at Home Improvement Stores in Harris County, Texas

AUSTIN, Texas – As Texans rebuild or repair their homes resulting from the storms during May 4 through June 19, 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 specialists will be on hand in Harris County 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, if you’re thinking of building a storm shelter or safe room, literature is available about the best options. Safe rooms built to FEMA specifications have saved thousands of lives.

Advisors will be available at the following Houston locations 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday and 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, except Wednesday on dates noted:

July 9 – 14
Home Depot
999 N. Loop W.
Houston, TX 77008

July 16 – 21
Home Depot
6810 Gulf Fwy
Houston, TX 77087

July 23 – 28
Lowe’s Home Improvement
4645 Beechnut St.
Houston, TX 77096

July 30 – August 4
Lowe’s Home Improvement
1521 N. Loop W.
Houston, TX 77008

August 6 – 11
Home Depot
8400 Katy Fwy
Houston, TX 77024

August 13 – 18
Lowe’s Home Improvement
1000 Gulfgate Center Mall
Houston, TX 77087

August 20 – 25
Lowe’s Home Improvement
9640 Katy Fwy
Houston, TX 77055

August 27 – September 1
Home Depot
10707 N. Fwy
Houston, TX 77037

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

Texans who have questions about their flood insurance policies and coverage should contact the National Flood Insurance Program call center at 800-621-3362 between 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (CDT) Monday through Friday. Specialists can help service claims, provide general information regarding policies, and offer technical assistance to aid in recovery.

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.