As Disaster Aid Deadline Approaches, Online Storm Help Continues

As Disaster Aid Deadline Approaches, Online Storm Help Continues 

Release Date: April 26, 2012
Release Number: 4058-037

» More Information on Indiana Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — With the May 8 registration deadline less than two weeks away, The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security point out that storm recovery help is available online. Hoosiers affected by severe storms from Feb. 29 through March 3 in Clark, Jefferson, Ripley, Scott, Warrick and Washington counties may visit FEMA’s virtual Disaster Assistance Center, www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

Some of the online resources available include:

Personal account

To go directly to the section of the website where Hoosiers can learn the status of their individual FEMA registration, visit: www.disasterassistance.gov/DAC/govBenefitReceiver.do?langcode=EN&action=LOGIN.

Visitors must have a Disaster Assistance Account to access their registration. Those who have registered online may have already created an account. Other applicants may create accounts by clicking the “create my account” link located on the bottom of the page.

Questionnaire for customizing resources for your unique situation

By responding to an anonymous 11-question survey on the Disaster Assistance website, Hoosiers may learn which online resources are available in their unique situations. Depending on the combination of responses, a list of resources is automatically generated. The list may include home and personal property disaster loans, unemployment assistance and mortgage insurance. To locate the survey, visit: www.disasterassistance.gov/disaster-assistance/questionnaire#benefits&qc=cat_8.

Help After a Disaster booklet

FEMA’s recovery booklet “Help After a Disaster, Applicant’s Guide to the Individuals & Households Program” is also available through the Disaster Assistance website. The publication includes an overview of FEMA programs for individuals and families, as well as an extensive guide, beginning on page 21, explaining the meaning of letters about ineligibility and appeals decisions. For more details about these and other key recovery points, Hoosiers may access the Help After a Disaster booklet online by visiting: http://www.fema.gov/pdf/assistance/process/help_after_disaster_english.pdf.

General recovery guidelines

Additionally, the disaster assistance website features recovery information about topics ranging from smart ways to salvage household items and rebuild to guidelines for taking photos of damaged property and other suggestions for filing an insurance claim. This information can be accessed by logging onto: www.disasterassistance.gov/disaster-information/your-home.

Listing of resources

The disaster assistance website includes links to helpful federal agencies like the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Loan application forms from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) can be downloaded from www.sba.gov and submitted online at: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. To access the list of agencies, visit:

www.disasterassistance.gov/disaster-assistance/browse-by-federal-agency.

Apply for FEMA assistance: May 8 is the last day to register

May 8 is the last day storm-impacted Indiana residents can register for federal recovery assistance. Online registration is possible through www.DisasterAssistance.gov or www.fema.gov. Registering is also possible by calling the toll free telephone registration phone line, (800) 621-FEMA (3362). This number is also a help line through which applicants can ask questions and verify information. For speech-or hearing-impaired applicants, the TTY number is (800) 462-7585 and Video Relay Service may be accessed at (800) 621-3362. These lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

May 8 is also the last day to submit SBA loan applications for physical property damage. Assistance is available through SBA’s Customer Service Center. The toll-free number is (800) 659-2955. Individuals with hearing impairments may call (800) 877-8339. The email address for the Customer Service Center is disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Completed applications may be mailed to:

U.S. Small Business Administration
Processing and Disbursement Center
14925 Kingsport Road
Fort Worth, TX 76155.

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.

Last Modified: Thursday, 26-Apr-2012 16:23:38

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Report Insurance Settlement: FEMA Letter Not Always Last Word

Report Insurance Settlement: FEMA Letter Not Always Last Word 

Release Date: April 16, 2012
Release Number: 4058-031

» More Information on Indiana Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) emphasize the importance of filing storm-related insurance settlement information with FEMA. Reporting expenses covered by insurance is a required step to apply for FEMA aid to help recover from severe storms that impacted Clark, Jefferson, Ripley, Scott, Warrick and Washington counties from Feb. 29 through March 3.

A “no decision” letter from FEMA is not always the last word.

A letter from FEMA stating a decision has not yet been made about an application is not necessarily the last word. It may simply mean additional information is required, such as insurance settlement information. Hoosiers may have received such a letter because they still need to file their storm-related insurance settlement details to FEMA. Each applicant is considered on a case-by-case basis. Every storm-impacted resident should follow up with FEMA to learn the specifics of his or her individual case.

A delay in submitting insurance settlement information can delay FEMA inspection.

Reporting insurance coverage helps continue the FEMA application process. Generally, not until insurance settlement information is provided can a visit from an inspector be scheduled. Waiting to submit insurance information can delay the inspection, which will pause the application process.

Hoosiers who have not yet received their insurance settlement may contact FEMA online or through the FEMA toll-free help line to explain their situations. Individuals should be prepared to provide to FEMA:

  • documentation from the insurance company proving the claim has been filed;
  • a claim number;
  • the date of application; and
  • the estimated time required to receive the settlement.

Any help awarded in advance by FEMA that is duplicated by the settlement must be repaid to FEMA once an insurance settlement is received.

While the law forbids federal payment for loss covered by insurance, financial aid may be provided for loss not covered. Hoosiers affected by recent storms are encouraged to follow up with FEMA to determine their eligibility, even if they think they will not qualify for assistance.

How to report insurance settlement

Applicants may mail in their insurance settlement information to:

The Federal Emergency Management Agency
P.O. Box 10055
Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055

Insurance settlement information may also be faxed to: (800) 827-8112.

Register with FEMA now

It is important to register with FEMA now. Occasionally, the insurance settlement process may take several months before it is final, perhaps until after the registration period has ended. To be considered for federal assistance, residents must apply before the May 8 deadline, even if the insurance claims process is not complete.

To register, applicants may call FEMA’s toll-free registration and help line number. The number is (800) 621-FEMA (3362). For speech- or hearing-impaired applicants, the TTY number is 1-800-462-7585 and Video Relay Service may be accessed at 1-800-621-3362. These lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Register online at www.fema.gov or www.DisasterAssistance.gov; by smart phone or tablet at m.fema.gov.

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.

Last Modified: Monday, 16-Apr-2012 16:56:02

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Report Insurance Settlement: FEMA Letter Not Always Last Word