AUSTIN, Texas – As storms and flooding wreak havoc across Texas, FEMA officials are warning of another danger: scam artists and unscrupulous contractors out to fleece communities and survivors struggling to recover from disaster.

Be aware of these most common post-disaster scams:

Housing inspectors: If home damage is visible from the street, an owner/applicant may be vulnerable to those who pose as housing inspectors and claim to represent FEMA or the U.S. Small Business Administration.

  • Ask for identification. Federal and state representatives carry photo ID. A FEMA or SBA shirt or jacket is not proof of affiliation with the government.

  • FEMA inspectors never ask for banking or other personal information. < >EMA housing inspectors verify damage but do not hire or endorse specific contractors to fix homes or recommend repairs. They do not determine eligibility for assistance.

  • Use licensed local contractors backed by reliable references; recovery experts recommend getting a written estimate from at least three contractors, including the cost of labor and materials; and read the fine print.

  • Demand that contractors carry general liability insurance and workers’ compensation. If he or she is not insured, you may be liable for accidents that occur on your property.

  • Avoid paying more than half the costs upfront. Doing so offers little incentive for the contractor to return to complete repairs.

Pleas for post-disaster donations: Con artists play on the sympathies of disaster survivors, knowing that people want to help others in need. Disaster aid solicitations may arrive by phone, email, letter or face-to-face visits. Verify charitable solicitations:

  • Ask for the charity’s exact name, street address, phone number and web address, then phone the charity to confirm that the person asking for funds is an employee or volunteer.

  • Don’t pay with cash. Pay with a check made out to the charity in case funds must be stopped later.

  • Request a receipt. Legitimate nonprofit agencies routinely provide receipts for tax purposes.

Offers of state or federal aid: Beware of anyone claiming to be from FEMA or the state and asking for a Social Security number, bank account number or other sensitive information. Scammers may solicit by phone or in person, promising to speed up the insurance, disaster assistance or building permit process. Others promise a disaster grant and ask for large cash deposits or advance payments. Here’s how to protect yourself:

  • Federal and state workers do not solicit or accept money. FEMA and SBA staff never charge applicants for disaster assistance, inspections or help in filling out applications. If you have any doubts, do not give out information and file a report with the police.

If you suspect fraud, call the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721. If you are a victim of a home repair or price-gouging scam, call the Office of the Texas Attorney General at 800-252-8011. For information regarding disaster-related fraud and how to protect yourself, visit texasattorneygeneral.gov/cpd/disaster-scams.

For more information on the Texas recovery, visit the disaster webpage for the May storms at fema.gov/disaster/4272; or visit the Texas Division of Emergency Management website at txdps.state.tx.us/dem. Follow us on Twitter @femaregion6.

Download fema.gov/mobile-app to locate open shelters and disaster recovery centers, receive severe weather alerts, safety tips and much more.

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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.

Download fema.gov/mobile-app to locate open shelters and disaster recovery centers, receive severe weather alerts, safety tips and much more.

Originally posted here:  

Protect Yourself from Disaster-Related Fraud and Scams

AUSTIN, Texas – Homeowners and renters in four Texas counties affected by the storms and flooding April 17-24 may be eligible to receive rental assistance from FEMA. The funds are meant to help pay for a clean and safe place for them to stay while making repairs or rebuilding their storm-damaged home.

  • First, file a claim with your homeowner’s insurance company. Talk to your homeowners’ or renters’ insurance agent about additional living expenses (ALE) coverage as part of your policy that may assist in relocating to a temporary residence.
  • Register for FEMA assistance. If you are insured, you will need to submit your settlement documents for review before FEMA can determine your eligibility status. If your policy does not include ALE, or you exhaust this coverage and your home remains uninhabitable, you may be eligible for rental assistance from FEMA.
  • An inspector may arrange a visit to your damaged home or apartment to determine disaster losses. If the inspector determines your home is uninhabitable, you may be offered an option of initial rental assistance to help you find another home to live in while you repair or rebuild.
  • Find available rental property. The FEMA Housing Portal provides resources for individuals and families who are displaced by a disaster. The portal consolidates resources of available rental property throughout the United States. Rental resources are identified and provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Veterans Administration, private organizations and individuals.

Survivors in Fayette, Grimes, Harris and Parker counties can register for FEMA assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone at 800-621-3362, TTY 800-462-7585. Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may call 800-621-3362. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.

Landlords with available rental properties can send an email to FEMA-Housing@fema.dhs.gov. The email should include your contact name, the state that the property is located in, and your phone number.

For more information on Texas recovery, visit the disaster webpage at fema.gov/disaster/4269 , Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion6 and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, txdps.state.tx.us/dem.

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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. 

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FEMA Rental Assistance May Be an Option for Texas Survivors

PEARL, Miss. – Housing inspectors contracted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency are assisting eligible survivors of the recent flooding by visiting neighborhoods and checking for damage.

“The free FEMA housing inspections are an essential step in the recovery process for survivors who sustained damage to their homes,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Lai Sun Yee. “It’s vital that survivors register with FEMA, ensure we have their current contact information and then coordinate with the housing inspector to schedule the inspection.”

Survivors in Bolivar, Coahoma and Washington counties can register by calling FEMA’s helpline at 800-621-3362, which is video relay service accessible. Survivors who are deaf, hard of hearing or who have difficulty speaking may call TTY 800-462-7585. Helpline hours are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week until further notice. Survivors can also register online at DisasterAssistance.gov.

The recovery process begins when those living in the three Mississippi counties – Bolivar, Coahoma and Washington – designated for disaster assistance complete the registration process. Survivors need to register with FEMA and report uninsured or underinsured damage to their homes, vehicles or other personal property. An inspector will then contact the applicant and schedule an appointment to visit the home.

To speed the inspection process, applicants should:

  • Ensure their home or mailbox number is clearly visible from the road.
  • Keep their appointment or notify the inspector if a postponement is necessary.
  • Authorize another adult to act as their agent and be present on their behalf during the inspection if they have evacuated and cannot return for the inspection.
  • Be reachable, informing neighbors where they can be contacted if they are not staying in the home.
  • Tell the inspector about other property losses or disaster-related needs such as transportation, medical or dental care, tools needed for a trade if not self-employed and educational materials, so inspectors can relay the information to FEMA.
  • Take photos of their homes, if possible, which can be used to supplement photos taken by the inspector.

Inspectors try a minimum of three times to contact each applicant, calling at different times on different days. If inspectors cannot reach an applicant, they will post a letter at the applicant’s dwelling with a phone number the applicant should call to reschedule an appointment and/or have the inspection reissued.

When FEMA inspectors arrive at a home, they will display official photo identification. If the photo identification is not displayed, it is important to ask to see it. This helps prevent fraud.

The damage inspection generally lasts 20-45 minutes. As part of the inspection process, homeowners are asked to show proof of ownership, such as a tax bill, a deed, mortgage payment receipt or insurance policy with the property’s address. Renters must show proof of occupancy, a lease, rent payment receipt, utility bill or another document confirming the location was their primary residence at the time of the disaster. Both homeowners and renters also must have a valid driver’s license or other photo identification.

Inspectors document disaster-related damage, but do not determine the applicant’s eligibility for FEMA assistance. They check for damage to the structure and building systems, to major appliances and septic systems and wells, and enter information into an electronic device that sends the information to FEMA. This speeds up the process of providing assistance.

A U.S. Small Business Administration loss verifier also may schedule an appointment with applicants who have completed an SBA loan application. Like FEMA inspectors, SBA loss verifiers and insurance adjusters are required to carry identification. Residents should ask to see a photo ID if any inspector comes to their home.

Residents should not be concerned if an inspector is seen in their neighborhood, but does not visit every home. They are following schedules and can only visit houses on that day’s list.

For more information on Mississippi’s flood recovery, go to fema.gov/disaster/4268 or visit the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency site at msema.org.

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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). 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 Housing Inspectors in Mississippi Counties Damaged by March Floods

PEARL, Miss. – Housing inspectors contracted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are assisting eligible survivors of the recent severe storms, tornadoes and flooding by visiting neighborhoods and checking for damage.

 

“The free FEMA housing inspections are an essential part of the recovery process for survivors who need to make their homes livable again or have serious personal property loss,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Joe Girot. “Homeowners and renters can help us help them by first registering and then making sure they coordinate with the inspectors for the visits.”

 

Survivors can register by calling the toll-free FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week. Assistance is available in multiple languages. Survivors may also register online using their computers, smartphones or tablets at DisasterAssistance.gov.

 

The recovery process begins when those living in the five Mississippi counties – Benton, Coahoma, Marshall, Quitman, and Tippah – designated for disaster assistance complete the registration process. Survivors need to register with FEMA and report uninsured or underinsured damage to their homes, vehicles or other personal property. An inspector will then contact the applicant and schedule an appointment to visit the home.

 

To speed the inspection process, applicants should:

  • Ensure their home or mailbox number is clearly visible from the road.
  • Keep their appointment or notify the inspector if a postponement is necessary.
  • Authorize another adult to act as their agent and be present on their behalf during the inspection if they have evacuated and cannot return for the inspection.
  • Be reachable, informing neighbors where they can be contacted if they are not staying in the home.
  • Tell the inspector about other property losses or disaster-related needs such as transportation, medical or dental care, tools needed for a trade and educational materials, so inspectors can relay the information to FEMA.
  • Take photos of their homes, if possible, which can be used to supplement photos taken by the inspector.

 

Inspectors try a minimum of three times to contact each applicant, calling at different times on different days. If inspectors cannot reach an applicant, they will post a letter at the applicant’s dwelling with a phone number the applicant should call to reschedule an appointment and/or have the inspection reissued.

 

When FEMA inspectors arrive at a home, they will display official photo identification. If the photo identification is not displayed, it is important to ask to see it. This helps prevent fraud.

 

The damage inspection generally lasts 20-45 minutes. As part of the inspection process, homeowners are asked to show proof of ownership, such as a tax bill, a deed, mortgage payment receipt or insurance policy with the property’s address. Renters must show proof of occupancy, a lease, rent payment receipt, utility bill or another document confirming the location was their primary residence at the time of the disaster. Both homeowners and renters also must have a valid driver’s license or other photo identification.

 

Inspectors document damage, but do not determine the applicant’s eligibility for FEMA assistance. They check for damage to the structure and building systems, to major appliances and septic systems and wells, and enter information into an electronic device that sends the information to FEMA. This speeds up the process of providing assistance.

 

A U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loss verifier also may schedule an appointment with applicants who have completed an SBA loan application. Like FEMA inspectors, SBA loss verifiers and insurance adjusters are required to carry identification. Residents should ask to see a photo ID if any inspector comes to their home.

 

Residents should not be concerned if an inspector is seen in their neighborhood, but does not visit every home. They are following schedules and can only visit houses on that day’s list.

 

For more information on Mississippi disaster recovery, click fema.gov/disaster/4248. Visit the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) website at http://www.msema.org/ or MEMA’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/msemaorg/?fref=ts

 

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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 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.

Link: 

FEMA Housing Inspectors In Mississippi Counties Damaged By December Storms

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) continue working together to help survivors of the Butte and Valley wildfires. More and more survivors continue to find temporary housing accommodation; as they do, they should continue to stay in touch with FEMA.

FEMA’s Individual and Households Program – which includes rental assistance and Manufactured Housing Units – is intended as a temporary solution to help bridge the gap for survivors until they can find a permanent housing solution.

Wildfire survivors and their families eligible for and living in temporary housing as of Dec. 28, 2015:

  • 838 households are receiving rental assistance.
  • 31 households have received Manufactured Housing Units.

Additionally, 521 households have been able to remain in their homes thanks to financial assistance that pays for home repairs or to replace necessary household items so they can remain safely at home.

There are 37 households using the Transitional Sheltering Assistance program, which offers temporary sheltering at hotels and motels for eligible applicants until they secure alternative housing accommodations.

 As a reminder, survivors who registered for housing and other federal assistance should keep in touch with FEMA and keep their contact information current, especially if they have changed their phone number, email address or mailing address.

FEMA may need to contact survivors for a number of reasons and without current contact information, the agency will not be able to reach them. After several attempts, cases are put on hold until the survivor contacts the agency.

Applicants can track their case status and should notify FEMA if they receive insurance settlements or discover additional damage.

How to stay in touch with FEMA:

  • Go to www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
  • Dial the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585.
  • For those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay services, call 800-621-3362.
  • These toll-free numbers are operated from 6 a.m. to midnight daily.
  • Multilingual phone operators are available on the FEMA Helpline. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages.

In addition to temporary housing programs, these services remain available to survivors:

  • Crisis Counseling services provided through the Calaveras and Lake County Mental Health Departments. Crisis Counseling is designed to help both children and adults cope with the emotional stress associated with a disaster. 
    • Call the Calaveras County Mental Health Crisis Hotline: 800-499-3030 (the main office number is 209-754-6525).
    • Reach the Lake County Mental Health Crisis Hotline by calling 800-900-2075.
  • Disaster Legal Services (DLS) are provided to survivors free-of-charge through the Young Lawyers Division of the American Bar Association. Legal advice is limited to cases that will not produce a fee. Services include assistance with insurance claims, advice on landlord/tenant disputes, home repair contracts and contractors, mortgage-foreclosure issues, assisting in consumer protection matters, guidance on replacement of wills and other important legal documents. Disaster Legal Services can be reached at 800-657-0479 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., Monday through Friday. For TTY, dial 711.

For more information on California’s wildfire recovery, visit: Cal OES and http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4240. Follow us on Twitter @femaregion9 and @Cal_OES and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/FEMA and https://www.facebook.com/CaliforniaOES.

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 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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Help Us Help You: Stay in Touch With FEMA

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) have approved more than $30 million in disaster recovery grants and loans for survivors of the Butte and Valley wildfires.

“The job isn’t finished,” said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Tim Scranton. “We continue working with all of our recovery partners through the holiday season to help the survivors and communities in Calaveras and Lake counties recover and rebuild.”

“We have excellent teams who are dedicated to the mission,” said Cal OES State Coordinating Officer Charles Rabamad. “I’m continually inspired by the hard work and focus everyone has on trying to get those who were burned out of their houses into homes for the holidays.”

Here is a snapshot of state and federal disaster assistance approved to date:

  • The registration period for federal assistance ended Nov. 23, 2015. During that timeframe, more than 3,700 Californians contacted FEMA for information or registered for assistance with FEMA.
  • $940,000 approved for survivors through California’s State Supplemental Grant Program.
  • More than 1,500 survivor households have been approved for a total of more than $11.5 million in FEMA Individual Assistance grants.
    • Of that, nearly $7.5 million was approved in Housing Assistance, which can include grants to help cover home repair and replacement costs as well as financial rental assistance.
    • 833 survivor households are receiving rental assistance. Of that number, 606 are renters and 227 are homeowners.
    • More than $4 million was approved for Other Needs Assistance, which helps survivors cover the cost of replacing lost contents and other disaster-related expenses.
  • SBA has approved $19.2 million in low-interest disaster loans to help business owners and residents with their recovery.
    • $16.9 million approved for 190 homeowners and renters.
    • $2.2 million for 34 businesses.
  • 35 survivor households are currently sheltering at hotels and motels through FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance program. The program is designed to provide temporary sheltering until alternative housing accommodations are made available.

Helping survivors find a safe, secure temporary place to live is the number one priority of the state and federal recovery team. FEMA is working with eligible survivor households in both counties to ensure their temporary housing needs are met. When it comes to temporary housing for survivors, the first option is always rental assistance as it is the fastest and most efficient form of temporary housing.

FEMA continues connecting eligible survivors with available rental resources within a reasonable commuting distance from their community. For survivors in areas where rental resources are not available, the agency is working to provide Manufactured Housing Units on both private sites and commercial sites.

FEMA, the state and the counties are coordinating to complete debris removal, secure utilities and complete required local licensing to move more Manufactured Housing Units onto feasible private sites. FEMA is also working with property owners at various commercial sites to complete required upgrades and move more units onto those locations.

Survivors can make changes or track their grant status online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362; TTY 800-462-7585; 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

Although the deadline has expired to apply for property damage loans from SBA, small, non-farm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size may continue to apply for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage. These loans help meet financial obligations and operating expenses, which could have been met had the disaster not occurred.

EIDL applicants may apply online via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.  Disaster loan information and application forms are also available from SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955 or emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call 800-877-8339. For more disaster assistance information, or to download applications, visit www.sba.gov/disaster.

For more information on California’s wildfire recovery, go to caloes.ca.gov and fema.gov/disaster/4240 and follow us on Twitter @femaregion9 and @Cal_OES, and on Facebook at facebook.com/FEMA and facebook.com/CaliforniaOES.

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.

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 are referred to SBA for a disaster loan must apply to be eligible for additional FEMA assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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.

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State, Federal Assistance for California Wildfire Survivors Tops $30 Million

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The deadline is Nov. 23, 2015, to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency for disaster assistance and to apply to the U.S. Small Business Administration for low-interest, long term disaster loans.

FEMA’s Disaster Recovery Centers in Calaveras and Lake counties will maintain normal operating hours on Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11. At the centers, disaster survivors can register for FEMA disaster assistance, apply for an SBA loan, and discuss recovery issues with representatives of various organizations and agencies. DRC hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. DRC locations can be found at FEMA.gov/DRC.

Even if you think you were fully insured against the devastating wildfires, it is important to register with FEMA and also submit an initial SBA online loan application by the Nov. 23 deadline just in case your insurance later turns out to be inadequate.

Once registered with FEMA, an application for assistance can remain open for up to a year from the declaration date – until Sept. 23, 2016 – pending final resolution of insurance coverage.

Survivors also can finalize a preliminary SBA loan application after the Nov. 23 deadline, as long as the initial application has been submitted by that date.

So far, 3,598 individuals and households have contacted FEMA for assistance and information: 1,092 in Calaveras County and 2,506 in Lake County.

More than $10.4 million has been authorized to date by FEMA for individuals and households. That amount includes nearly $6.9 million for Housing Assistance and more than $3.5 million for Other Needs Assistance, such as replacement of damaged or destroyed medical equipment, clothing, essential furnishings, appliances and even an automobile.

To date, 2,763 damaged or destroyed homes, 99 percent of the total, have been examined by FEMA’s inspection services.

The SBA has approved more than $12.8 million in disaster loans to businesses, private nonprofits, homeowners and renters. That includes $11.5 million to homeowners and renters and $1.3 million to businesses and private nonprofits for both physical damages and Economic Injury Disaster Loans.

Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations have until June 22, 2016, to apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans only.

FEMA refers most survivors to the SBA for long term disaster recovery loans. Those applicants should complete an SBA loan application, even if they feel they cannot afford or do not want a loan. SBA disaster loans are part of the federal assistance process. Accepting an SBA loan is not required, but submitting that application may trigger additional grant assistance through FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance program, which is administered by the state of California.

Survivors can apply for FEMA assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362; TTY 800-462-7585; 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362. Registration continues through Saturday, Nov. 23.

A direct telephone hotline is operational to process any requests from survivors who may need additional assistance: 916-381-0330, for TTY, call 711.

For more information on California’s wildfire recovery, visit: caloes.ca.gov or fema.gov/disaster/4240 and follow us on Twitter @femaregion9 and at facebook.com/FEMA.

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.

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 are referred to SBA for a disaster loan must apply to be eligible for additional FEMA assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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.

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Two Weeks Left to Register for FEMA Grants and Apply for SBA Disaster Loans

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Since wildfires swept Lake and Calaveras counties, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) mission has been to help individuals, families and businesses recover from the disaster.

As of today, FEMA and the SBA have approved more than $20 million in federal disaster assistance for California survivors.

Here is a snapshot of the disaster-recovery effort as of Oct. 29, 2015:

  • The SBA has approved more than $10.3 million in low-interest disaster loans to businesses, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters.
  • More than 3,500 Californians have contacted FEMA for information or registered for assistance with FEMA and nearly $9.7 million has been approved. 
    • Housing Assistance approved: more than $6.4 million
    • Other Needs Assistance approved: nearly $3.3 million
  • Three Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) are open in the affected areas. To date, more than 3,300 survivors have been assisted at DRCs in Calaveras and Lake counties. To locate the nearest center, survivors can go to FEMA.gov/DRC or call the FEMA helpline, 800-621-FEMA (3362); TTY 800-462-7585; 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.
  • Inspectors in the field have made 2,671 home inspections – completing 99 percent of those required to date.
  • Disaster Survivor Assistance teams have had 7,300 survivor interactions and made more than 1,700 whole community referrals.

Survivors who sustained disaster-related losses in Calaveras and Lake counties should register with FEMA by the Nov. 23, 2015 deadline. Survivors can register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362; TTY 800-462-7585; 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

A direct telephone hotline is operational to process any requests from survivors who may need additional assistance: 916-381-0330, for TTY, call 711.

For more information on California’s wildfire recovery, survivors may visit: caloes.ca.gov or fema.gov/disaster/4240 and follow us on Twitter@femaregion9 and Facebook.com/FEMA.

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.

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 are referred to SBA for a disaster loan must apply to be eligible for additional FEMA assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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.

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Federal Assistance for California Wildfire Survivors Tops $20 Million

Installation of seven Manufactured Housing Units underway

Who: California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES)
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

What: Media members will have an opportunity to tour one of the manufactured housing units Cal OES and FEMA are installing in Calaveras and Lake counties to provide temporary housing for eligible survivors of the Butte and Valley wildfires. 

Where:  McClellan Park, 5000 Patrol Rd., McClellan Park, CA 95652

The gate is located at 5000 Patrol Rd. There are two orange cones at the gate entrance. FEMA staff will be present to direct media members to the proper location.

When:  Friday, Oct. 23, 2015 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Notes: Subject matter experts from FEMA will be on hand to answer questions about the manufactured housing units and the process. Additionally, a fact sheet will be provided with further information. Please contact the FEMA News Desk in Sacramento with any questions by calling 916-386-7205.

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Link: 

Media Availability to tour FEMA Manufactured Housing Unit

SACRAMENTO – After residents in Lake and Calaveras Counties affected by the Valley and Butte Fires apply for federal disaster assistance for damage to their homes, the next step is a housing inspection.

A Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) inspector will contact you to schedule an appointment 7-10 days after registration.  The inspection is needed to verify and assess damages listed in your application. The inspection generally takes 30-40 minutes and consists of a general inspection of the home. There is no fee for the inspection.

When a FEMA housing inspector meets with you, be sure they show you proper identification. All FEMA inspectors have prominent photo ID badges. If you are not shown photo identification, then do not allow the inspection. Beware of scams and scam artists.  If you suspect someone is posing as a FEMA inspector, call our toll-free Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721, or call your local law enforcement officials.

It is important to note that throughout the recovery process, applicants may receive a visit from more than one inspector. In addition to FEMA housing inspectors, representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as well as state and local officials may visit neighborhoods in affected areas, as well as inspectors from insurance companies.

When a FEMA Housing Inspector visits your home, someone 18 years of age or older who lived in the household prior to the disaster must be present for the scheduled appointment. The inspector will ask to see:

  • Photo identification.
  • Proof of ownership/occupancy of damaged residence such as: structural insurance, a tax bill, mortgage payment book or utility bill.
  • Insurance documents: home and/or auto (structural insurance/auto declaration sheet).
  • List of household occupants living in residence at time of disaster.
  • Disaster related damages to both real and personal property.

Once the inspection process is complete, your case will be reviewed by FEMA and you will receive an eligibility determination letter within a week of the inspection.

Survivors are encouraged to apply for assistance by calling 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 800-621-3362 to register. Online registration is also available at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by using a web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov.  Survivors can also contact the SBA Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 – deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.

Taken from: 

What to Expect During the FEMA Housing Inspection Process

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