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.

###

Read this article:

Mississippi Disaster Survivors: Read any FEMA Correspondence Carefully

Federal Disaster Aid for Colorado Flooding Tops $304 Million

Main Content

Release date:

March 25, 2014

Release Number:

NR-116

DENVER – In the more than six months since heavy rains brought flooding in September 2013, Colorado survivors have received more than $304 million from FEMA disaster grants, flood insurance payments and SBA low-interest disaster loans.

To date:

  • FEMA has granted nearly $55.9 million for housing assistance in 11 designated counties and nearly $4.9 million in other needs assistance, such as disaster-related medical expenses or personal property loss. Flood survivors have also received disaster unemployment assistance and disaster legal services.
  • FEMA has obligated more than $76.1 million to publicly owned entities and certain nonprofits in 18 designated counties. Through its Public Assistance cost-share program, FEMA reimburses 75 percent for eligible, disaster-related costs for debris removal, emergency measures and permanent work to repair and replace disaster-damaged public facilities. The remaining 25 percent nonfederal share comes from state and local sources. The state manages the grants for all projects.
  • The SBA has approved nearly $102.6 million in federal disaster loans to Colorado homeowners, renters, businesses and private nonprofit organizations that sustained damage from the severe storms and flooding.
  • The National Flood Insurance Program has approved nearly $64.7 million to settle 2,085 claims.
  • FEMA is providing manufactured housing units for 40 households who have no other suitable housing available.

Last Updated:

March 25, 2014 – 18:07

State/Tribal Government or Region:

Original source: 

Federal Disaster Aid for Colorado Flooding Tops $304 Million

DENTON, Texas — Fire departments in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas have been awarded more than $7.5 million in preparedness grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The Gravel Ridge, Arkansas Fire Department received $208,350; the Lafayette, Louisiana Consolidated Government Fire Department received more than $1.7 million; the Bloomfield, New Mexico Fire Department received more than $1 million; and the Fort Worth, Texas Fire Department received nearly $3.4 million. All of these fire departments will use the funding to boost hiring efforts for firefighters. The Vinita, Oklahoma Fire Department received $830,792, which it will use for recruitment and retention.

The federal grants are part of the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grants program. SAFER awards provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations to help them increase the number of trained, front line firefighters available in their communities.

“These grants are crucial for communities, especially for the fire departments,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “The funding helps ensure that there are enough first responders to protect lives and property.”

For more information on the SAFER Grant program, visit http://www.fema.gov/staffing-adequate-fire-emergency-response-grants.

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.

See original:

Fire Departments in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas Receive Millions in FEMA Preparedness Grants

Federal/State Disaster Aid for Colorado Flooding Surpasses $267 Million

Main Content

Release date:

February 12, 2014

Release Number:

NR-110

Federal/State Disaster Aid for Colorado Flooding Surpasses $267 Million

DENVER – Since heavy rains brought flooding in September 2013, Colorado survivors have received more than $267 million in federal/state recovery assistance.

More than $219 million has come from disaster grants, flood insurance payments and low-interest disaster loans. More than $48 million has been obligated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Public Assistance program.

To date:

  • FEMA has granted $55 million for housing assistance and more than $4.7 million in other needs assistance, such as disaster-related medical expenses or personal property loss in 11 designated counties. As part of the other needs assistance program, the state is funding another $1.6 million. Flood survivors have also received disaster unemployment assistance and disaster legal services.
  • FEMA has obligated more than $48 million to publicly owned entities and certain nonprofits in 18 designated counties. Through the Public Assistance cost-share program, FEMA reimburses 75 percent for eligible, disaster-related costs for debris removal, emergency measures and permanent work to repair and replace disaster-damaged public facilities. The remaining 25 percent nonfederal share comes from state and local sources. The state manages the grants for all projects.
  • All Public Assistance Project Worksheets (the form used to document the scope of work and cost estimate for a recovery project) in Sedgwick, Logan, Washington, Lincoln, Crowley, and Clear Creek counties have been completed. Altogether the FEMA/State of Colorado Public Assistance team has completed more than 500 Project Worksheets as communities continue to work hard to recover from last fall’s floods.
  • The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved $97.6 million in federal disaster loans to Colorado homeowners, renters, businesses and private nonprofit organizations that sustained damage from the severe storms and flooding.
  • The National Flood Insurance Program has approved $62.3 million to settle 2,015 claims.
  • FEMA is providing manufactured housing units for 44 households who have no other suitable housing available.
  • Approximately 48 percent of all permanent repair work submitted to FEMA and the state’s Public Assistance program contains mitigation measures designed to prevent future flood damage. Nearly 70 percent of large projects or those with a cost estimate of more than $67,500 contain these mitigation measures. FEMA pays for 75 percent of these measures through Section 406 mitigation.

Last Updated:

February 12, 2014 – 12:04

State/Tribal Government or Region:

Source article: 

Federal/State Disaster Aid for Colorado Flooding Surpasses $267 Million

Federal Disaster Aid for Colorado Flooding Tops $245 Million

Main Content

Release date:

January 14, 2014

Release Number:

NR-108

Federal Disaster Aid for Colorado Flooding Tops $245 Million

(Editor: Cuts of disaster response and recovery are available at

www.flickr.com/photos/coemergency or www.go.usa.gov/DeK9.)

DENVER – Since heavy rains brought flooding in September 2013, Colorado survivors have received more than $245 million in federal recovery assistance.

More than $214 million has come from disaster grants, flood insurance payments and low-interest disaster loans. More than $31 million has been obligated under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Public Assistance program to repair and rebuild critical infrastructure and restore vital services.

To date:

  • FEMA has granted $54.5 million for housing assistance in 11 designated counties and more than $4.6 million in other needs assistance, such as disaster-related medical expenses or personal property loss. Flood survivors have also received disaster unemployment assistance and disaster legal services.
  • FEMA has obligated $31.3 million to publicly owned entities and certain nonprofits in 18 designated counties. Through its Public Assistance cost-share program, FEMA reimburses 75 percent for eligible, disaster-related costs for debris removal, emergency measures and permanent work to repair and replace disaster-damaged public facilities. The remaining 25 percent nonfederal share comes from state and local sources. The state manages the grants for all projects.
  • The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved $96 million in federal disaster loans to Colorado homeowners, renters, businesses and private nonprofit organizations that sustained damage from the severe storms and flooding.
  • The National Flood Insurance Program has approved $59.3 million to settle 1,973 claims.
  • FEMA is providing manufactured housing units for 44 households who have no other suitable housing available.

Last Updated:

January 14, 2014 – 12:09

State/Tribal Government or Region:

Read article here:  

Federal Disaster Aid for Colorado Flooding Tops $245 Million

$2.2 Billion in FEMA Public Assistance Grants for Hurricane Sandy Recovery

Main Content

Release date:

December 18, 2013

Release Number:

4085-255

NEW YORK — More than $2.2 billion in federal aid has been approved to reimburse state, local and tribal governments for Sandy-related response and recovery efforts to date in New York. This figure includes over $31 million for permanent work to protect against future disaster damage.

Public Assistance grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency provide reimbursement for some costs of emergency response. So far, 2,907 grants have been approved, including $575 million for debris removal, $1.1 billion for protective measures, $41 million for roads and bridges, $934 million for water control facilities, $89 million for public buildings, $356 million for public utilities and $70.8 million for parks and recreational facilities.

Here is the breakdown of approved Public Assistance projects by county:

Bronx County

$2.2 million

Greene County

$384,000

Kings County

$37 million

Nassau County

$332 million

New York County

$746 million

Orange County

$2.5 million

Putnam County

$1.5 million

Queens County

$452 million

Richmond County

$1.3 million

Rockland County

$12.4 million

Suffolk County

$141 million

Sullivan County

$1 million

Ulster County

$2.9 million

Westchester County

State government agencies

$38 million

$464 million

To learn more about FEMA Public Assistance in New York, visit: fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit and dhses.ny.gov/oem/recovery.

For more information on New York’s disaster recovery, visit fema.gov/sandynytwitter.com/FEMASandy, facebook.com/FEMASandy and fema.gov/blog.

Last Updated:

December 20, 2013 – 16:14

State/Tribal Government or Region:

Related Disaster:

Continued:

$2.2 Billion in FEMA Public Assistance Grants for Hurricane Sandy Recovery

FEMA Specialists Provide Free Repair, Rebuilding and Mitigation Advice in Fairbanks

Main Content

Release date:

September 25, 2013

Release Number:

NR-019

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Alaskans can get free advice this Saturday in Fairbanks on how to reduce property damages during disasters like floods, fires and earthquakes.

Specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will be at the Preparedness Expo at the Carlson Center on Sept. 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., to offer expertise on building techniques and mitigation that can help protect homes, businesses and other property. The expo is a one-day public event being held as part of National Preparedness Month that features exhibits focusing on disaster preparedness.

This free service also offers information and publications on topics such as:

  • Understanding flood- and earthquake-resistant building methods
  • Staying warm during the winter
  • The benefits of flood insurance
  • Elevating or anchoring utilities

For more information on helpful, money-saving mitigation methods, such as elevation, flood proofing and earthquake-resistant property designs, visit FEMA.gov/building-science-publications.

Last Updated:

September 25, 2013 – 13:08

State/Tribal Government or Region:

Related Disaster:

See original: 

FEMA Specialists Provide Free Repair, Rebuilding and Mitigation Advice in Fairbanks

NEW ORLEANS – As Louisianans reflect on their rebuilding accomplishments since Hurricane Rita’s devastating blow on Sept. 24, 2005, the Federal Emergency Management Agency continues to aid in the state’s restoration, supported by more than $1.3 billion in federal grants.

“Communities in southwest Louisiana have overcome amazing odds to rebuild their towns following Hurricane Rita’s destruction. Today, swaths of land once cleared of everything but pilings now house state-of-the-art schools, libraries and government buildings,” said FEMA’s Louisiana Recovery Office Director Mike Womack.

For these communities, FEMA has provided nearly $668.8 million in public assistance grants for initial projects such as debris removal and emergency protective measures and later grants to repair or rebuild public facilities damaged by Hurricane Rita. Of this funding, $216.5 million was provided for recovery work in Cameron Parish and $122.1 million for work in Calcasieu Parish.

For a photo essay of some of the permanent work projects in these two parishes, visit www.fema.gov/la8year.  These facilities, along with many others, tell their own accounts of recovery progress.

In addition, more than 175,000 households throughout Louisiana received $523.5 million in funding under FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program for their own personal recovery efforts from Hurricane Rita, including $417.7 million in housing assistance for rent, repairs and replacement housing and $105.8 million in other needs assistance for such things as furniture, clothing and replacement vehicles.

FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program also set aside $137.9 million to help prevent future losses of lives and properties. The grants help communities rebuild stronger and smarter by providing funding for projects such as elevations, acquisitions, pilot reconstructions and retrofitting.

For more information about Louisiana’s recovery from both hurricanes Katrina and Rita and to view the 8th Year Photo Essay, visit www.fema.gov/la8year.

All data is as of Sept. 18, 2013.                                                                                                                                                                   

When FEMA approves projects through its supplemental Public Assistance grant, the funds are made available to the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness, who disburses them to the applicant for eligible work completed. The Public Assistance program works with state and local officials to fund recovery measures and the rebuilding of government and certain private nonprofit organizations’ buildings, as well as roads, bridges and water and sewer plants. In order for the process to be successful, federal, state and local partners coordinate to draw up project plans, fund these projects and oversee their completion.

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.twitter.com/femalro, blog.fema.gov, www.facebook.com/fema and www.youtube.com/fema. The social media links are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

View this article: 

Hurricane Rita: Eight Years of Recovery and Federal Aid

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Government Flats Fire Complex, burning in Wasco County, Oregon.

FEMA Region X Administrator Kenneth D. Murphy approved the state’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) on August 18, 2013 at 9:17 PM EDT.

The fire started on August 16, 2013 and has burned approximately 1,500 acres of federal, state and private land. At the time of the request, the fire was burning south of the City of The Dalles, Oregon. The fire is burning within the municipal watershed area and is threatening the municipal water treatment plant and major power transmission lines. The fire is also burning in critical habitat for several threatened species. Firefighting resources including 4 air tankers, 3 helicopters, 11 hand crews, 30 engines and 6 dozers are committed to this fire suppression activity. There are several other large fires burning uncontrolled within the state.

The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of Oregon eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling designated fires. These grants provide reimbursement for firefighting and life-saving efforts. They do not provide assistance to individuals, homeowners or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire.

Fire Management Assistance Grants are provided through the President’s Disaster Relief Fund and made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible items can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; mobilization and demobilization activities; and tools, materials and supplies.

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.

 

 

# # #

Original link: 

FEMA authorizes funding to help fight Government Flats Fire Complex

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Disasters frequently bring out the best in people but sometimes the worst. When fraud occurs, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has a responsibility to take action.

People who intentionally defraud the federal government are taking money away from those who truly need disaster assistance. FEMA must ensure that taxpayer dollars go only to people who incurred legitimate losses. This may include prosecuting anyone who makes a fraudulent claim.

Most cases where possible fraud is detected are not deliberate attempts to defraud the government. FEMA recommends survivors receiving disaster assistance awards to keep receipts for at least three years that document how the funds were used.

Anyone with information about individuals who may have defrauded the government in connection with the 2013 spring floods should call the FEMA fraud hotline at 800-323-8603 or email DHSOIGHOTLINE@DHS.GOV. This can include information on contractors, inspectors, disaster survivors or anyone posing as any of these. Complaints also can be made via the FEMA disaster assistance helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585) or with state or local law enforcement officials or consumer agencies.

Survivors who feel they have made a mistake in reporting damages or losses should call the FEMA disaster assistance helpline at 800-621-3362.

FEMA’s Office of Inspector General routinely audits individuals, local governments and nonprofit organizations that receive FEMA disaster assistance funds. The audits are independent assessments to determine whether recipients spent the funds according to federal regulations and FEMA guidelines. Auditors look at expenditures on ineligible items or instances of duplicate payments from insurance companies or other sources.

Link: 

Call FEMA Hotline to Report Suspicions of Fraud

 Page 4 of 6  « First  ... « 2  3  4  5  6 »