West Virginians receiving rental aid: Tell FEMA if you need more

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Thousands of West Virginians were displaced from their homes by the June 22-29 severe storms, floods, landslides and mudslides. FEMA gave grants to more than 2,500 households to help them pay for a temporary place to live. If your household received rental assistance from FEMA, you must let FEMA know if you have a continuing need for it.

Perhaps repairs to your home may be completed and you can move back in. If you’re seeking a new home, you may have found it.  However, your home may not be ready to return to or you may not yet have found more permanent housing. If that is your situation, you can ask FEMA for additional rental assistance.

You should have received a letter explaining the process and a form to fill out and return to FEMA along with:

  • Utility bills from before and after the disaster.

  • If you are a renter, a copy of your pre-disaster lease.

  • For renters or homeowners, a copy of the current lease or rental agreement signed by the person who applied for FEMA assistance and the landlord.

  • Rental receipts, canceled checks or money orders showing that you used your rental assistance to pay rent or a security deposit.

  • Income statements from before and after the disaster for all wage earners living in the household.

You must complete the FEMA application to apply for continued rental assistance. FEMA evaluates the information to determine if your household has a financial need for additional assistance.

If you need more information or help with completing your application, call FEMA toll-free at
800-621-3362. The line is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EDT, seven days a week until further notice. 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.

You may also find help at a State-FEMA Disaster Recovery Center. To find the one nearest to you, call the helpline, 800-621-3362, or go online to fema.gov/drc locator.

Find additional information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery by calling the FEMA Helpline 800-621-3362 or visiting: www.DisasterAssistance.gov; www.WVflood.com; fema.gov/disaster/4273; twitter.com/femaregion3; and fema.gov/blog.

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West Virginians receiving rental aid: Tell FEMA if you need more

Disaster Survivors in Alabama may be Eligible for Child Care Assistance

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Child care costs following a presidential disaster declaration have been added as a reimbursable expense in some cases.

The child care program falls under the Individuals and Households Program within Individual Assistance. Child care costs will be subtracted from the applicant’s total grant amount.

To be eligible, survivors must live in a declared county and use a licensed child care service (center-based, group home, in-home or other provider). The children can be up to age 13, disabled children, as defined by federal law and who need assistance in caring for themselves, may be up to age 18. They also must be occupants of the household, are listed on the Application for Disaster Assistance and are dependents of the applicant.

Costs per child may be awarded for a total of eight weeks, which may or may not be consecutive. Eligible expenses include child care expenses, one-time registration fee, plus health inventory fee if the applicant must change child care providers.

“We know that many households rely on child care and that it can take a big chunk out of their budget,” said Albie Lewis, FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer for Alabama. “If you have a disaster-related impact on your income, you may want to explore child care assistance.”

The deadline to register for FEMA assistance is July 1.

For more information or to register for assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov, via smartphone at m.fema.gov or by phone at 800-621-3362; TTY 800-462-7585.  Multilingual operators are available.

Applicants who apply for the benefit will receive a letter outlining documentation FEMA needs to evaluate the request for disaster-related child care assistance.

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Disaster Survivors in Alabama may be Eligible for Child Care Assistance

Disaster Grants Won’t Affect Social Security or Taxable Income

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Senior citizens in Escambia, Jackson, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties who sustained losses during the recent severe storms and flooding need not worry that applying for federal and state disaster aid will cause them to sacrifice their Social Security benefits, pay more taxes or give up income-based benefits.

A grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency does not add to a senior’s taxable income as long as the grant is to help recover from the recent disaster.

“Severe weather can affect everyone,” said FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer Gracia Szczech, the federal official in charge of disaster recovery in Florida. “We do not want our seniors to be reluctant to apply for disaster aid. Not doing so could cause eligible citizens to miss out on much-needed assistance.”

A few questions that typically arise following a disaster declaration are:

FEMA Grants

Question:  I’m between 62 and 65 years of age, and have chosen to receive Social Security benefits.  If my income is more than a certain amount each year, I must reimburse a portion of my Social Security payment.  Will FEMA grants add to my income and require me to repay Social Security?

Answer:  No.  FEMA grants for housing and other disaster assistance are not counted as income.

Taxes

Question:  I’m over 65, but if I earn more than a certain amount, I must pay tax on my Social Security income.  Will FEMA grants boost my income and require me to pay tax on my Social Security income?

Answer:  No.  The IRS does not count FEMA grants for housing and other disaster assistance as income.

Other Assistance

Question:  Will receiving a grant cause my income to increase to the point that I am no longer eligible for Medicaid, welfare assistance or food stamps?

Answer:  No.  Grants for housing and other disaster assistance are not counted as income in determining eligibility for income-tested benefit programs that the U.S. government funds.

For more information, visit the Social Security website at www.socialsecurity.gov or call, toll-free, 800-772-1213 (for the deaf or hard of hearing, call TTY 800-325-0778). Operators are available Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

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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 childcare, medical, dental expenses and/or funeral expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, those who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, transportation, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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Disaster Grants Won’t Affect Social Security or Taxable Income

Don’t Disqualify Yourself By Not Registering For FEMA Assistance

AURORA, Ill. – If you choose not to register with FEMA, you disqualify yourself from receiving federal disaster assistance.

Don’t listen to rumors about eligibility for FEMA assistance. Instead, get informed.

Illinois residents who had losses or damages from the severe storms and flooding between April 16 and May 5 should register with FEMA, even if they think their damages and losses won’t be covered.  Here’s why:

  • Misconception No. 1: “I only had a few inches of water in my basement.”

Why you should apply: If your appliances (furnace, water heater, freezer or refrigerator) sit directly on your basement floor, it may only take a few inches of water to get inside those mechanicals and cause damage. By applying for FEMA assistance, a trained inspector can determine if there are potential damages you may need to have tested and repaired. Don’t wait until winter to test your furnace and discover water damage. By then, it will be too late to register.

  • Misconception No. 2: “I bought a generator to operate medical equipment when I lost power during the storms.”

Why you should apply: You may be eligible if you purchased a generator to operate medical equipment after you lost power, but before it was restored. FEMA reviews requests for reimbursement of the cost of a generator on a case-by-case basis. Generators purchased for non-medical needs are not eligible for reimbursement.

  • Misconception No. 3: “I received assistance from FEMA after the 2010 floods. I won’t qualify for help this time.”

Why you should apply: Not necessarily. If you had damage from the April storms and flooding, take the time to register. A FEMA inspector will assess damages and that inspection will help determine eligibility. Receiving FEMA assistance from a previous disaster DOES NOT mean you can’t receive assistance from a subsequent disaster.

  • Misconception No. 4: “I’m not a U.S. citizen so I can’t apply.”

Why you should apply: Only one member of a household needs to be eligible to qualify the entire household for assistance, so parents and guardians may apply for aid from FEMA on behalf of a minor child who was born here. FEMA does not collect information on the immigration status of other household members who are not registering for disaster assistance.

  • Misconception No. 5: “I have insurance, so I’m not going to bother to apply for federal assistance.”

Why you should apply: While FEMA cannot duplicate benefits from other sources, including homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, you may be eligible for other uninsured damages. For example, flood insurance doesn’t cover additional living expenses. If your home is uninhabitable, FEMA may be able to help you relocate while repairs are made to your damaged dwelling.

  • Misconception No. 6: “My income makes me ineligible.”

Why you should apply: FEMA does not consider income when determining eligibility for FEMA assistance. Income is a consideration when determining eligibility for a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loan, but you should apply and have an SBA specialist work with you to determine your options. Also, if you are denied by SBA, you may be eligible for even more assistance from FEMA, but you must apply first.

  • Misconception No. 7: “SBA loans are for businesses only.”

Why you should apply: SBA disaster loans are offered to businesses AND individuals. SBA loans are an affordable way to pay for up to 100 percent of uninsured disaster-related losses. By filling out and returning an application, you can first determine whether you’re eligible. You do not have to take a loan if it is offered to you.

Residents of 25 counties in the major disaster declaration are eligible to register for federal assistance. The counties include Bureau, Cook, Crawford, DeKalb, DuPage, Fulton, Grundy, Henderson, Kane, Kendall, Knox, Lake, LaSalle, Livingston, Marshall, Mason, McDonough, McHenry, Peoria, Rock Island, Schuyler, Stark, Tazewell, Will and Woodford.

Individuals can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585.  Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) can call 1-800-621-3362.

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 twitter.com/femaregion5, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema.  Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

Media Contact: 571-408-1835

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Don’t Disqualify Yourself By Not Registering For FEMA Assistance

Facts For Older Adults On Registering For Disaster Assistance

TRENTON, N.J. —  If you had losses because of Hurricane Sandy you are encouraged to register for disaster assistance. You may be eligible for grants or assistance programs from federal, state, local or voluntary agencies. Here are several facts you should know:

FACT:  A FEMA grant does not affect social security benefits or any government benefit, including Medicare, Medicaid or food stamps. 

FACT:  Disaster assistance has no bearing on decisions about a senior’s need for nursing home care. FEMA and its state and local partners work to keep survivors in their own homes.                     

FACT:  Specially trained FEMA staff and volunteers are available to help anyone who has a physical limitation or other problems registering. You will not have to fill out a form. The telephone specialist will input your information for you when you call 800-621-FEMA or TTY 800-462-7585.

 FACT:  You can check the status of your application online or speak to a disaster representative in person at a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). If you need assistance getting to a DRC call 800-621-FEMA or TTY 800-462-7585 and FEMA will arrange to have someone take you to the nearest DRC.

FACT:  If English is not your first language, FEMA telephone specialists can speak to you in almost any language. For languages other than English or Spanish press option “3”. You will be able to choose from more than 250 languages available.

FACT:  Registering with FEMA is a simple process. There is no paperwork involved. Apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or by web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov. By phone or 711/VRS, call 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585.

FACT:  Depending on the information you provide, FEMA may ask you to fill out an application for a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster loan. You are automatically considered for other federal grant programs if the SBA application shows you cannot repay a loan. That’s why it is so important to fill out and return the SBA application.

FACT:  FEMA funding is available to all eligible survivors who had disaster losses. Even if you have flood insurance you should register. FEMA may be able to help with losses your insurance does not cover.

FACT:  Income is not a consideration when you apply for FEMA assistance.

FACT:  Even if you received disaster assistance in the past, following Hurricane Irene, for example, you may be eligible for assistance if you suffered changes from Hurricane Sandy. 

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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Facts For Older Adults On Registering For Disaster Assistance

Myth vs. Fact About Registering For FEMA Aid

TRENTON, N.J.– It’s important to know the difference between myth and fact in the aftermath of a hurricane. Survivors need accurate information on registering for FEMA aid and on what they may be eligible to receive. The best rule of thumb: if you’re unsure if you are eligible for assistance, go to www.DisasterAssistance.gov or m.fema.gov, or call 1-800-621-3362 (FEMA). Those with access or functional needs can call 1-800-462-7585, or 1-800-621-3362 if using 711 or Video Relay Service.

Here are some common misunderstandings:

  • MYTH: I’ve already cleaned up the damage to my home and had the repairs made. Isn’t it too late to register once the work is done?
    FACT: You may be eligible for reimbursement of your clean up and repair costs, even if repairs are complete.
  • MYTH: I’m a renter. I thought FEMA assistance was only for homeowners for home repairs.
    FACT: FEMA assistance is not just for homeowners. FEMA may provide assistance to help  renters who lost personal property or who were displaced.
  • MYTH: FEMA assistance could affect my Social Security benefits, taxes, food stamps or Medicaid.
    FACT: FEMA assistance does not affect benefits from other federal programs and is not considered taxable income.
  • MYTH: My insurance agent told me I could not get help from FEMA because I have flood insurance.
    FACT: Even if you have flood insurance you should register. FEMA may be able to help with uninsured costs.
  • MYTH: I heard registration involves a lot of red tape and paperwork.
    FACT: There is no paperwork to register with FEMA. The process is very easy and normally takes between 15 and 20 minutes.
  • MYTH: I believe FEMA only makes loans so I didn’t apply for help because I don’t want a loan.
    FACT: FEMA only provides grants. The grants may cover expenses for temporary housing, home repairs, replacement of damaged personal property and other disaster-related needs such as medical, dental or transportation costs not covered by insurance or other programs. They don’t have to be repaid.

    The U.S. Small Business Administration provides low-interest disaster loans to renters, homeowners and businesses of all sizes. Some applicants may receive an SBA loan application after registering with FEMA. No one is obligated to take out a loan, but if they don’t complete the application they may not be considered for other federal grant programs.

  • MYTH: Since I received disaster assistance last year, I’m sure I can’t get it again this year.
    FACT: Assistance may be available if you suffered damages from a new federally declared disaster.
  • MYTH: My income is probably too high for me to qualify for disaster assistance.
    FACT: Income is not a consideration for FEMA assistance. FEMA grants may cover uninsured losses.
  • MYTH: I don’t want to apply for help because others had more damage than I had; they need the help more than me.
    FACT: FEMA has enough funding to assist all eligible survivors with their disaster related needs. 

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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Myth vs. Fact About Registering For FEMA Aid

Things You Should Know About Recovering From Hurricane Isaac

CLINTON, Miss.

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT RECOVERING FROM HURRICANE ISAAC

  • There are four ways to reach FEMA in Mississippi:
    • You can register with FEMA on-line at DisasterAssistance.gov
    • With your smartphone at m.fema.gov
    • By calling toll-free at 1-800-621-3362 and 800-462-7585 (TTY), or
    • Visit any of the disaster recovery centers

 

  • Even if you have insurance, you should register. FEMA assistance may help pay for repairs that insurance doesn’t cover.

 

  • If you rent or are a homeowner, you should apply for federal disaster assistance. You may be eligible for rental assistance, a grant to replace personal destroyed property or a low-interest SBA disaster home loan.

 

  • FEMA disaster assistance is not income sensitive – your income does not affect your eligibility.

 

  • FEMA disaster assistance does not affect other government assistance like Medicare, Social Security, Medicaid or pensions.

 

  • Accepting disaster assistance does not keep other people from receiving it.

 

  • Disaster assistance from FEMA is not taxable.

 

  • Non U.S. citizens may be eligible for FEMA assistance if they are lawful permanent residents or otherwise have legal status.

 

  • Registering with the American Red Cross or calling 2-1-1 is not registering with FEMA. To be eligible for federal disaster assistance, you have to register with FEMA.

 

  • The U.S. Small Business Administration – SBA – offers low-interest disaster loans to homeowners and renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and personal property. SBA also offers loans to businesses to repair and replace disaster-damaged property and offers economic injury disaster loans to assist with working capital.

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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.

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Things You Should Know About Recovering From Hurricane Isaac

Weekly Wrap Up: Hurricane Recovery In Mississippi

The following is recovery news from the previous week from the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

  • Nearly one in three Mississippi households impacted by Hurricane Isaac uses the Internet or a Web-enabled cell phone to get disaster assistance. Of 18,000 households that requested FEMA help in the first two weeks after the storm, about 5,000 used a computer and another 1,000 used smartphones.
  • In the three weeks after the storm more than $11.6 million has been approved in federal disaster assistance, as of Sunday, Sept. 23. There have been 22,346 total registrations for federal disaster assistance.
  • The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved more than $2.1 million in low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses impacted by the storm. FEMA is encouraging anyone who has not done so, to fill out and return their disaster loan applications. Returning it does not obligate them to accept the loan, but is used to refer applicants back to FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance grants program.
  • FEMA assistance does not affect other government assistance for individuals. People can still get disaster assistance while receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. FEMA assistance is not taxable and does not need to be repaid.
  • FEMA is sending out determination letters to those who registered telling them the status of their applications. Those who don’t understand the letter or disagree with FEMA’s decision should visit a Disaster Recovery Center or call the FEMA Helpline at (800-621-3362) to get more information and assistance with questions.

Homeowners, renters and businesses impacted by Hurricane Isaac are urged to register with FEMA online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or via smartphone at m.fema.gov. Disaster survivors may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. If you use 711 or Video Relay Service call
800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

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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.

 

 

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Weekly Wrap Up: Hurricane Recovery In Mississippi