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Apply For Assistance Even If you Have Insurance

TRENTON, N.J. — Disaster assistance may sometimes cover damages that insurance doesn’t. That is why individuals affected by Hurricane Sandy are urged by the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management (NJOEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to apply for assistance even if they have insurance.

Apply for FEMA assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or by web-enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov. Applicants can also register by phone by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), 711/VRS, or TTY 1-800-462-7585.

Only applying directly with FEMA will establish your registration for disaster assistance. Signing up or meeting with any other agency does not mean you are registered with FEMA.

“We want everyone qualified for assistance to receive help as soon as possible,” said State Coordinating Officer Lt. Jeff Mottley.

Keep in mind that you need to file your insurance claim with your insurance company as soon

as possible. Failure to file a claim may affect a policyholder’s eligibility for disaster assistance.

You have up to 12 months from the date of registration with FEMA to submit insurance information

for review.

“By law, we cannot duplicate what insurance already covers. But we may be able to help with some disaster-related expenses, that are not covered by insurance,” explained Federal Coordinating Officer Michael J. Hall.

After filing a claim, if any of the following situations occurs FEMA may be able to provide some assistance:

Your insurance settlement is delayed.

“Delayed” means a decision on your insurance settlement has been delayed longer than 30-days from the time you filed the claim.
If a decision on your insurance settlement has been delayed, you will need to mail a letter or send a FAX to FEMA explaining the circumstance. Mail or FAX your letter to:

FEMA IHP

National Processing Service Center

PO Box 10055

Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055

FAX 1-800-827-8112

You should include documentation from the insurance company proving that you filed the claim.
If you filed your claim over the telephone, you should include the claim number, date when you applied, and the estimated time of how long it will take to receive your settlement.
If you receive FEMA assistance and you later find that your insurance will cover what your FEMA assistance was for, then you must return that money to FEMA because it is considered a duplicate benefit.

Your insurance settlement is insufficient to meet your disaster-related needs.

If you have received the maximum settlement from your insurance and still have an unmet disaster-related need, you will need to mail or FAX a letter to FEMA at the above address indicating the unmet disaster-related need.
You will also need to send in documentation from your insurance company on what they cover for review.

You have exhausted the Additional Living Expenses (ALE) provided by your insurance company.

If you have received the maximum settlement from your insurance for Additional Living Expenses and still need help with your disaster-related temporary housing need, mail or FAX a letter to FEMA at the above address indicating why you continue to have a temporary housing need.
You will also need to provide documentation to prove use of ALE from insurance, and a permanent housing plan.

You are unable to locate rental resources in your area.

The FEMA Helpline has a list of rental resources in the disaster area.

SBA Loans

Many people who apply for disaster aid also receive an application for a low-interest disaster loan from the SBA. If you receive an application, be sure to fill it out and return it in order to be considered for all forms of disaster assistance.
FEMA will process applications for housing assistance regardless of whether or not the applicant has applied for an SBA loan. Eligibility determinations for FEMA’s temporary housing assistance will not be held up because the applicant has or has not filled out an SBA application.
You must complete an SBA loan application to be eligible for additional assistance under the part of the FEMA program that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

You can apply for an SBA disaster loan online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

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.

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Apply For Assistance Even If you Have Insurance

FEMA Is Available During Thanksgiving Weekend

WINDSOR, Conn. – All FEMA-State Disaster Recovery Centers in Connecticut will be closed Thanksgiving Day, but help will still be available to Connecticut disaster survivors.

Survivors of Hurricane Sandy in Connecticut will still be able to access FEMA’s website and telephone registration line to register for assistance.

They can also check on the progress of a file or to answer documentation questions FEMA may have had during the application process.

While a Disaster Recovery Center may be closed for all or part of the Thanksgiving weekend, FEMA housing inspectors will keep appointments and may be calling survivors to set appointments for inspections.

FEMA Community Relations specialists will be in damaged areas Friday and Saturday providing information about disaster assistance.

An outreach team from FEMA will be at the Home Depot store in Fairfield Thanksgiving weekend to explain techniques that may reduce potential damage to homes, businesses and property from future disasters. The specialists will be in the store from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 24 and 25.

People with storm losses should register with FEMA online at www.Disaster Assistance.gov, with a smartphone or device at m.fema.gov. Applicants can also register by phone by calling FEMA at 800-621-3362. The TTY number is 800-462-7585. Multilingual operators are available

24 hours a day, seven days a week, except for Thanksgiving Day, when hours are 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET.

All centers are closed on Sundays. After the holiday, normal hours will resume.

Disaster Recovery Center days and hours of operation during the Thanksgiving weekend are as follows:

East Haven Beach House

150 Cosey Beach Ave.

East Haven, CT 06512

Opens Friday, Nov. 23, noon to 8 p.m.

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

Closed Sunday

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

Housatonic Community College

900 Lafayette Blvd.

Bridgeport, CT 06604

Closed Thanksgiving Day through Sunday, Nov. 24

Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Closed Sunday

Normal hours, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday

Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Fairfield

100 Mona Terrace

Fairfield, CT 06824

Closed Thanksgiving Day

Open Friday and Saturday, Nov. 23-24, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Closed Sunday

Normal hours, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday

Western Greenwich Civic Center

Room 203

449 Pemberwick Road

Greenwich, CT 06381

Closed Thanksgiving Day

Open Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Closed Sunday

Normal hours, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday

Groton Senior Center

102 Newtown Road

Groton, CT 06304

Closed Thanksgiving Day and Friday

Open Saturday, Nov. 24, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Closed Sunday

Normal hours, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday

Former Simon Lake Elementary School

65 Devonshire Road

Milford, CT 06460

Closed Thanksgiving Day

Open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, Nov. 23-24

Closed Sunday

Normal hours, Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Long Wharf Campus Gateway Community College

60 Sargent Drive

New Haven, CT 06511

Closed Thanksgiving Day and Friday, Nov. 23

Open Saturday, Nov. 24, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Closed Sunday

Normal hours, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday

Department of Police Services

Conference Room

6 Custom Drive

Old Saybrook, CT 06475

Closed Thanksgiving Day

Open Friday and Saturday, Nov. 23-24, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Closed Sunday

Normal hours, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday

Birdseye Municipal Center

Stratford Public Health Center

468 Birdseye St.

Stratford, CT 06512

Open Tuesday, Nov. 20, until 8 p.m., and Wednesday, Nov. 21, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

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.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private nonprofit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and covers 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.

Source:

FEMA Is Available During Thanksgiving Weekend

Federal Aid Programs for the State of Maryland Declaration

Main Content

Release date:

November 20, 2012

Release Number:

HQ-12-149Factsheet

Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Obama’s disaster declaration issued for the State of Maryland.

Assistance for the State and Affected Local Governments Can Include as Required:

Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for removing debris from public areas and for emergency measures, including direct federal assistance, taken to save lives and protect property and public health. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)
Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, bridges, utilities, buildings, schools, recreational areas and similar publicly owned property, as well as certain private non-profit organizations engaged in community service activities. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)

Payment of not more than 75 percent of the approved costs for hazard mitigation projects undertaken by state and local governments to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural or technological disasters. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)

How to Apply for Assistance:

Application procedures for state and local governments will be explained at a series of federal/state applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials. Approved public repair projects are paid through the state from funding provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies.

FEMA’s mission is to support our first responders and 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.

Stay informed of FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts available at www.fema.gov/medialibrary and www.youtube.com/fema ; follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/fema and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fema.

Last Updated:

November 20, 2012 – 23:51

State or Region:

Maryland

and

Region III

Related Disaster:

Maryland Hurricane Sandy

See the original article here:

Federal Aid Programs for the State of Maryland Declaration

President Declares Disaster for Maryland

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to the State of Maryland to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by Hurricane Sandy during the period of October 26 to November 4, 2012.

The President’s action makes federal funding available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by Hurricane Sandy in Allegany, Calvert, Caroline, Charles, Dorchester, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Howard, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, St. Mary’s, Talbot, Washington, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties and the Independent City of Baltimore.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

Michael J. Lapinski has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Lapinski said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

Follow FEMA online at 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.

Link to original:

President Declares Disaster for Maryland

Disaster Assistance Tops $76.3 Million in St. John Parish

BATON ROUGE, La. – Nearly three months since the Aug. 29 federal disaster declaration for Hurricane Isaac in Louisiana, more than $365 million in state and federal disaster assistance has been approved for the state. Disaster assistance for survivors in St. John Parish now totals $76,333,667.

St. John Parish by the Numbers

Number of survivors who registered for assistance with FEMA: 12,617

Amount of Housing Assistance approved: $22,877,141

Amount of Other Needs Assistance approved: $5,027,052

TOTAL Individual Assistance grants: $27,904,193

TOTAL Public Assistance obligations: $5,895,274

TOTAL U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans: $42,534,200

Timeline,

Aug. 27 – President Obama issued an Emergency Declaration in Louisiana, in advance of Hurricane Isaac, for emergency protective measures (Category B), limited to direct federal assistance under the Public Assistance program.

Aug. 29 – President Obama issued a federal disaster declaration for 35 parishes in Louisiana, including St. John. The declaration made Public Assistance (PA) funds available for reimbursement of costs for debris removal and emergency protective measures (Categories A & B), including direct federal assistance. A total of 55 parishes are now designated for PA.

Aug. 29 – The federal disaster declaration also made all parishes in the state eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

Aug. 31 – An amendment designated five parishes in Louisiana, including St. John, eligible for Individual Assistance (IA). With subsequent amendments, IA is now available in 26 parishes: Allen, Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Morehouse, Orleans, Plaquemines, Pointe Coupee, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Washington, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana.

Sept. 1 – A Disaster Recovery Center opened in St. John Parish at 1931 W. Airline Highway in LaPlace. A total of 9,043 people have visited the recovery center, making it the busiest for Hurricane Isaac in Louisiana. It will close permanently on Nov. 29.

Sept. 3 – FEMA, at the request of the state, activated the Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program, which allowed eligible evacuees from Hurricane Isaac who could not return to their homes to stay in hotels or motels until more suitable housing accommodations were available. The program was extended four times. Of the 5,877 St. John residents eligible for TSA, 895 checked into hotels under the program.

Sept. 13 – The SBA opened a Business Recovery Center in LaPlace, St. John Parish, to provide information about low-interest disaster loans to local businesses and to assist with applications.

Sept. 21 – FEMA extended the PA program in eight parishes, including St. John, to include supplemental funding for infrastructure repairs in the wake of Hurricane Isaac. Applicants in St. John are now eligible to apply for the full range of PA funding (Categories A-G).

Sept. 26 – FEMA approved supplemental funding for debris removal from qualified private properties in St. John Parish. Debris removal from private property is generally not eligible for FEMA funding, but funding was approved for St. John because the debris on residential and private business property was so widespread that public health, safety and the economic recovery of the community were threatened.

Survivors in St. John Parish affected by Hurricane Isaac can apply for disaster assistance until the Nov. 29 deadline. They may apply online at www.disasterassistance.gov, at m.fema.gov with a smartphone, or by phone at 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585. Survivors who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 800-621-3362.

For more information on Louisiana disaster recovery, click www.fema.gov/disaster/4080 or www.gohsep.la.gov. You can follow FEMA on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA. Also visit our blog at www.fema.gov/blog.

SBA is the federal government’s primary source of funding for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts, and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For information about SBA programs, applicants may call 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339).

Original source:

Disaster Assistance Tops $76.3 Million in St. John Parish

Disaster Assistance Nears $49 Million in Jefferson Parish

Jefferson Parish by the Numbers

Number of survivors who registered for assistance with FEMA: 59,116

Amount of Housing Assistance approved: $13,355,036

Amount of Other Needs Assistance approved: $3,543,299

TOTAL Individual Assistance grants: $15,898,335

TOTAL Public Assistance obligations: $7,539,556

TOTAL U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans: $25,544,800

Timeline

Aug. 29 – President Obama issued a Federal Disaster Declaration for 35 parishes in Louisiana, including Jefferson. The declaration made Public Assistance (PA) funds available for reimbursement of costs for debris removal and emergency protective measures (Categories A & B), including direct federal assistance. A total of 55 parishes are now designated for PA.

Aug. 29 – The federal disaster declaration also made all parishes in the state eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

Aug. 31 – An amendment designated five parishes in Louisiana, including Jefferson, eligible for Individual Assistance (IA). With subsequent amendments, IA is now available in 26 parishes: Allen, Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Morehouse, Orleans, Plaquemines, Pointe Coupee, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Washington, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana.

Sept. 3 – FEMA, at the request of the state, activated the Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program, which allowed eligible evacuees from Hurricane Isaac who could not return to their homes to stay in hotels or motels until more suitable housing accommodations were available. The program was extended four times. Of the 3,153 Jefferson residents eligible for TSA, 194 checked into hotels in the program.

Sept. 4 – The first of five Disaster Recovery Centers opened in Jefferson Parish at 2654 Jean Lafitte Blvd. in Lafitte. It will close permanently on Nov. 29. A total of 4,233 people have visited the recovery centers so far.

Sept. 7 – The SBA opened the first two of three Business Recovery Centers (BRCs) in Metairie and Terrytown, Jefferson Parish, to provide information about low-interest disaster loans to local businesses and to assist with applications. The third opened Sept. 10 in Avondale. The Metairie and Terrytown BRCs remain open.

Sept. 17 – FEMA approved supplemental funding for debris removal from qualified private properties in Jefferson Parish. Debris removal from private property is generally not eligible for FEMA funding, but funding was approved for Jefferson because the debris on residential and private business property was so widespread that public health, safety and the economic recovery of the community were threatened.

Sept. 21 – FEMA extended the PA program in eight parishes, including Jefferson, to include supplemental funding for infrastructure repairs in the wake of Hurricane Isaac. Applicants in Jefferson are now eligible to apply for the full range of PA funding (Categories A-G).

Oct. 15 – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Coast Guard, in coordination with the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, began removing barrels, drums and other potentially hazardous containers in six parishes, including Jefferson. The program is funded by FEMA and the state.

Survivors in Jefferson Parish affected by Hurricane Isaac can apply for disaster assistance until the Nov. 29 deadline. They may apply online at www.disasterassistance.gov, at m.fema.gov with a smartphone, or by phone at 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585. Survivors who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 800-621-3362.

Excerpt from:

Disaster Assistance Nears $49 Million in Jefferson Parish

Hurricane Isaac Three Months Later: Louisiana Looking Ahead, Moving Forward

BATON ROUGE, La. – Nearly three months ago, Hurricane Isaac swamped Louisiana with torrential rains, high winds and storm surge. Since then, local, state, federal and voluntary agencies, plus the private sector, have worked hand in hand with survivors to help them recover from the storm’s destruction.

Hundreds of millions of dollars in state and federal assistance have jump-started the recovery efforts of individual survivors, their families and their communities in the 55 parishes designated for Individual Assistance and/or Public Assistance. And more help will arrive with the rollout of recovery programs designed to help Louisianians over the long haul.

“Louisianians have made tremendous progress in their journey toward recovery from Hurricane Isaac,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Gerard M. Stolar of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). “The efforts of the survivors themselves, combined with those of the whole recovery community, have made all the difference in Louisiana.”

Even before Hurricane Isaac made its first landfall on Aug. 28 before wobbling back out to sea, then hitting the coast again, emergency workers at all levels of government, law enforcement and voluntary agencies mobilized to prepare for the storm’s onslaught. On Aug. 27, President Obama issued an emergency disaster declaration authorizing FEMA to provide assistance for emergency protective measures to alleviate the hurricane’s impact on life and property. The major disaster declaration came just two days later.

Although weaker than Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Isaac moved inland much more slowly, causing devastating flooding, some of it in areas largely unscathed by the 2005 storm. Along with the seasoned storm veterans of the coastal parishes and New Orleans, survivors unaccustomed to major storms found themselves needing help.

For many, assistance came almost immediately. Just a week after the Aug. 29 disaster declaration for Hurricane Isaac in Louisiana, more than $10 million in state and federal disaster assistance had already headed to survivors. Within 16 days, that total had soared to $100 million.

Today, disaster assistance has topped $365 million. This includes more than $116 million in grants from FEMA’s Individual Assistance (IA) program, more than $135 million in low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and more than $113 million in reimbursements to the state and local governments from FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) program. Separately, the FEMA-administered National Flood Insurance Program has paid more than $370 million on claims from policyholders in Louisiana.

Beyond the funds disbursed to individuals, families, businesses and communities, federal programs have helped survivors stay temporarily in hotels when their homes were unlivable; funded crisis counseling for Louisianians suffering from the emotional effects of the storm and its aftermath; helped connect survivors to other agencies’ assistance programs to ensure that they would get the help they needed; and reimbursed municipalities for emergency protective measures taken to preserve lives and property, restoring hurricane-damaged infrastructure and removing debris from parish rights-of-way and private property.

Within hours of the Aug. 29 declaration, the first Community Relations specialists began their work of providing crucial recovery information to storm survivors. Over the following weeks, hundreds of Community Relations specialists visited parishes designated for Individual Assistance, answering survivors’ questions in neighborhoods, at Disaster Recovery Centers, and at points of distribution and shelters.

Forty recovery centers served survivors throughout Louisiana, and two centers remain open in hard-hit parishes so residents can meet face to face with specialists who can help them register and answer their questions about state and federal assistance. Mitigation and National Flood Insurance Program specialists joined the staff at the centers, greatly expanding the information available to survivors.

Mitigation outreach specialists also met with more than 24,500 Louisianians in several settings, including the disaster recovery centers, home improvement stores, fairs and festivals, providing advice and tips on rebuilding stronger homes. Two strike teams in Jefferson, Plaquemines and St. Bernard parishes visited residents, some accessible only by boat, to offer advice and mold cleanup kits.

As Louisianians continue to recover from Hurricane Isaac, they may have some needs that go beyond the scope of assistance the state or FEMA can provide. That’s when community-based long-term recovery groups can help.

With support and guidance from FEMA and the state, long-term recovery groups are already working in 15 hard-hit parishes. Formed from a network of nonprofit and voluntary agencies and faith- and community-based organizations, these recovery groups are working with survivors to determine their longer-term needs and connect them to assistance.

Staff and volunteers from some groups have helped clear debris at damaged homes, while others are recruiting volunteers and staff. Some groups have programs to help survivors pay utility bills or obtain necessities such as clothing and furniture.

On a community scale, the state of Louisiana, along with FEMA, has activated the new National Disaster Recovery Framework for the first time. Like initial response efforts, extended recovery requires a united effort beginning at the local level, plus the private sector and individuals — the whole community — and the framework aims to help make that happen.

Already, framework coordinators have held the first public meetings in two parishes to identify local recovery priorities, with more public sessions expected in the coming weeks, said Wayne Rickard, who was appointed the federal disaster recovery coordinator for Louisiana’s Hurricane Isaac recovery effort. After this stage, agencies at the state and federal levels will pool their resources and information to help communities and parishes find alternative pathways to secure technical assistance and funding.

Meanwhile, our Public Assistance mission continues to gain momentum and meet the challenges in Louisiana’s hard-hit coastal parishes. We are coordinating with our state and local partners, and reaching out to the federal family as well as FEMA Headquarters and Region VI leadership to find viable solutions to the more complex issues that stand in the way of full community recovery.

Because we extended the Individual Assistance registration deadline, Hurricane Isaac survivors have until Nov. 29 to register with FEMA for potential assistance. Louisianians can register for assistance or check the status of their cases online at www.disasterassistance.gov, via smartphone at m.fema.gov, or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. FEMA phone lines operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week; multilingual operators are available.

Excerpt from:

Hurricane Isaac Three Months Later: Louisiana Looking Ahead, Moving Forward

Federal Disaster Aid Total Exceeds $7.6 million in Connecticut

WINDSOR, Conn. — More than $7.6 million in federal disaster assistance has been approved for Connecticut survivors of Hurricane Sandy.

As of close of business Nov. 18:

More than 9,100 Connecticut residents in Fairfield, Middlesex, New Haven, and New London counties and the Mashantucket Pequot and the Mohegan Tribal Nations located within New London County have registered for federal disaster assistance.
More than 2,000 survivors have visited the FEMA-State Disaster Recovery Centers.
More than $7.3 million has been approved for housing assistance, including short-term rental assistance and home repair costs.
More than 4,200 inspections of damaged properties have been conducted.
More than $353,000 has been approved to cover other essential disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses and lost personal possessions.

People with storm losses should register with FEMA online at www.disasterassistance.gov, with a smartphone or device at m.fema.gov. Applicants can also register by phone by calling FEMA at: 800-621-3362. The number for TTY is: 800-462-7585. Multilingual operators are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Nine FEMA-state Disaster Recovery Centers are open in Connecticut.

Specialists at the centers can help with registration, check an individual’s case, answer questions about their claim, or review information needed to process their claim. Recovery specialists also can supply contacts for other programs that may be able to help.

Please note: All Connecticut Disaster Recovery Centers will be closed for Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 23.

Original article –

Federal Disaster Aid Total Exceeds $7.6 million in Connecticut

What to Expect From a FEMA Inspector

LINCROFT, N.J. — The arrival of a housing inspector is a vital step in determining both the amount and types of housing assistance FEMA may provide.

Survivors seeking housing assistance must first register with FEMA. Applicants who register will be given a personal application number. The number is used throughout the disaster assistance process. Survivors should record the number and keep it secure and handy for all future dealings with FEMA.

A FEMA housing inspector will call survivors if they need a housing inspection and set up a time for a visit. The inspector usually comes within 14 days after the survivor applies. The inspector will have the application number assigned at registration.

When the FEMA inspector calls, write down:

Inspector’s name
Date(s) of calls
Date(s) and time(s) of appointment(s), and
Inspector’s telephone number.

Inspectors are contractors, not FEMA employees, who have been hired by FEMA to conduct the inspection. Every contractor has an official identification badge. Ask to see the badge if it is not visible during the inspection.

Remember, FEMA never charges a fee for an inspection. The inspector will never ask for bank information. FEMA inspectors verify damage; but do not hire or endorse specific contractors or recommend repairs. Inspectors do not determine cost estimates, but provide confirmation of the existing damage, from which costs estimates are calculated.

It is important to meet with the inspector to avoid delays in the inspection process. Those who cannot be present for the scheduled appointment can appoint someone 18 or older who lived in the house before the disaster to stand in during the inspection.

The inspection generally takes 30-40 minutes but can be shorter, and consists of a general inspection of damaged areas of the home and a review of the survivor’s records.

When the inspector arrives, be prepared to provide proof of identification, such as a driver’s license or passport or other official photo ID. Inspectors also require written proof of home ownership, such as a tax receipt, mortgage payment book or home insurance policy showing the property’s address. If proof of ownership is not available, the inspector will complete the inspection, but proof of ownership must be provided to FEMA.

Most applicants receive a written response from FEMA regarding a decision within 7 to 10 days after the inspection.

The U.S. Small Business Administration and private insurance companies also have inspectors in the field in New Jersey.

To date, FEMA housing inspectors have completed 80 percent of the more than 92,000 inspections requested by disaster survivors in New Jersey.

Survivors may apply for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). 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.

Anyone in New Jersey who suffered losses from Hurricane Sandy may be eligible for disaster assistance.

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.

See more here:

What to Expect From a FEMA Inspector

FEMA Eligibility Letter, the First Letter May Not Be the Final Word

NEW YORK – If you applied for disaster assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) following Hurricane Sandy and received a letter stating you were not eligible for disaster aid, you should know that the first letter may not be the final word.

If applicants receive a letter from FEMA that states that they are ineligible, it does not necessarily mean an applicant is not eligible for disaster assistance. If the letter states “ineligible” or “incomplete,” more information may be needed, such as the applicant’s insurance documents or proof of status of their claim, prior to disaster aid being granted.

FEMA requires homeowners and renters to provide insurance and other information at the time of registration. After a disaster, important documents may not be readily available or may be destroyed. Applicants for disaster aid can update their information about insurance and residency at any point during the application process.

A determination letter sent by FEMA will specifically explain why an application needs to be revisited. It might ask for insurance settlement documentation for property damaged or destroyed, or for documents reflecting proof of occupancy or ownership of the damaged property.

Other reasons an applicant may receive a denial letter include:

The damaged property is not listed as your primary residence at the time of the disaster.
The damage was due to pre-existing conditions.
The disaster damage was not documented.
The FEMA housing inspector cannot reach the applicant by phone.
Someone else in the household has already applied for assistance.
The application is not complete.

Applicants have several options to obtain clarification on their letters, they can visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) or they can call the FEMA helpline at 1-800-621-3362, or TTY 1-800-462-7585. In the DRCs, applicants will find representatives from the state, FEMA, the SBA and other organizations. The FEMA representatives can provide clarity on the letter and guidance on what additional documentation is needed.

For a list of the DRCs open in New York, go online to www.fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers. For those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services, please call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free lines are open 24 hours, seven days a week until further notice.

Originally from:

FEMA Eligibility Letter, the First Letter May Not Be the Final Word

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