individual - femacontract.com

Nearly $7 Million Approved for Mississippi Disaster Survivors

JACKSON, Miss. – Federal assistance approved for disaster survivors in 12 Mississippi counties has reached nearly $7 million.

All emergency shelters have closed and all disaster survivors are currently housed.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency is leading a Long-Term Housing Task Force, which includes FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration and the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department, along with state and local officials to assess and provide assistance to families with housing needs.

FEMA assistance to individuals is not taxable income and does not affect benefits from other federal programs such as Social Security, SNAP or Medicaid.

Individuals and households with home insurance should register with FEMA now even though they may not immediately qualify for FEMA assistance. Once registered, they will have up to a year to request FEMA assistance to help cover the gap if the insurance proves inadequate. It may be too late to register when the insurance settlement is received. The deadline to register is June 30, 2014.

Here is a summary through Friday, May 16, of all federal assistance to individuals and households in the 12 counties designated for FEMA Individual Assistance as a result of the April 28 through May 3, 2014, storms, tornadoes and flooding.

Nearly $7 million in total federal disaster assistance has been approved by FEMA and SBA.
Nearly $3.6 million in FEMA Individual Assistance grants has been approved to help Mississippi disaster survivors recover, including:
- More than $2.7 million approved for housing grants, including short-term rental assistance and home repair costs.
- Nearly $853,000 approved to help cover other essential disaster-related needs such as medical and dental expenses and lost personal possessions.
Nearly $3.4 million in low-interest disaster loans has been approved by SBA for renters and homeowners.
More than 3,900 people have contacted FEMA for help or information regarding disaster assistance.
- In addition to FEMA grants for individuals and families, other forms of disaster assistance are provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration and other partner agencies such as the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army. FEMA refers some survivors to those agencies.
- All businesses that contact FEMA are also referred to the SBA.
- Others may be interested in other programs such as disaster unemployment assistance and disaster legal services.

1,759 home inspections completed.
Nearly 3,000 visits to disaster recovery centers by people affected by the disaster.
9 disaster recovery centers are open across the affected areas.
FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance crews assisting survivors have visited 5,452 dwellings and assisted 3,520 survivors.

Disaster survivors in Itawamba, Jones, Leake, Lee, Lowndes, Madison, Montgomery, Rankin, Simpson, Warren, Wayne and Winston counties may be eligible for FEMA’s Individual Assistance program.

Individuals and households in those counties can register for FEMA Individual Assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov, via smartphone or tablet at m.FEMA.gov or by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362). People who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY should call 800-462-7585. Lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (central time) and assistance is available in multiple languages. FEMA assistance does not affect benefits from other federal programs such as Social Security, SNAP or Medicaid and is not considered taxable income.

For more information on Mississippi disaster recovery, go to fema.gov/disaster/4175. Visit the MEMA site at msema.org or on Facebook at facebook.com/msemaorg.

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.

###

See original –

Nearly $7 Million Approved for Mississippi Disaster Survivors

FEMA Public Assistance Extended in Nine Mississippi Counties Hit by Storms

JACKSON, MS – The Federal Emergency Management Agency has extended federal disaster aid in nine Mississippi counties to help the state, local and tribal governments and certain private nonprofits cover disaster-related expenses and the repair or rebuilding of critical infrastructure.

The state, local and tribal governments and certain private nonprofits in Itawamba, Jones, Leake, Lee, Lowndes, Newton, Rankin, Wayne and Winston counties can now request funding through all categories of the Public Assistance grant program to help pay for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and the repair or rebuilding of roads, bridges, water control facilities, buildings, equipment, utilities, parks and recreational facilities.

Itawamba, Lee, Lowndes, Madison, Rankin, Wayne and Winston counties were previously designated for FEMA Public Assistance funding for debris removal and emergency protective measures taken before, during and after the disaster.

“The additional federal infrastructure funding is intended to help Mississippi’s hard-hit communities recover from the devastation left by the tornadoes of April 28,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Mark Landry.

Supplementary funding under the Public Assistance program goes to the state and its agencies, local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations.

Under the program, the federal share of a project’s expenses typically cannot be less than 75 percent of eligible costs. The remaining 25 percent of eligible cost is usually split by the state and applicant. The state manages the program and forwards the federal funds to eligible applicants that incurred costs.

Individuals cannot apply for FEMA Public Assistance program funding. However, survivors who sustained damage in any of the 12 Mississippi counties eligible for FEMA’s Individual Assistance can register for that program. Itawamba, Jones, Leake, Lee, Lowndes, Madison, Montgomery, Rankin, Simpson, Warren, Wayne and Winston counties are all eligible for FEMA’s Individual Assistance program.

All Mississippi counties are eligible to apply for funding under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which is partially funded by FEMA and managed by MEMA.

Disaster assistance may include money to help pay for temporary housing and essential home repairs. Low-interest SBA loans may also be available for losses not covered by insurance or other sources.

For more information on Mississippi disaster recovery, click fema.gov/disaster/4175. Visit the MEMA site at msema.org or on Facebook at facebook.com/msemaorg.

###

Read this article:

FEMA Public Assistance Extended in Nine Mississippi Counties Hit by Storms

FEMA Specialists Reach Out to Survivors in Florida Panhandle Communities

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Specialists with the Federal Emergency Management Agency are reaching out to survivors in Florida’s hardest hit Panhandle communities to help individuals register for assistance. Survivors may meet a specialist in their neighborhood or speak to one on the phone.

Crews of FEMA disaster survivor assistance specialists are canvassing affected areas to provide on-site registration assistance, address immediate and emerging needs, and answer any questions specific to the registration process. Specialists can also provide referrals to additional resources.

FEMA crews are visiting homes, businesses, local organizations and churches in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

Using tablets, crew members can help a survivor fill out an application for assistance on the spot – collecting information in person. Crew members can be identified easily by their photo badges and FEMA clothing. Florida residents are reminded to ask for federal identification before providing personal information.

Survivors in designated counties may also receive a phone call from FEMA Individual Assistance specialists if they have already registered for disaster assistance.

If called, applicants could be asked to verify their identity with some of the following information:

The last four digits of their Social Security number.
The address of their damaged home.
The applicant’s current mailing address.
The applicant’s current phone number.

If applicants receive a phone call from FEMA representatives and question the validity of the caller, they can contact the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 to verify the source of the call. The FEMA representative will then make another attempt to call the applicant back. FEMA will not call applicants to request any banking information.

Those who suspect anyone of committing fraudulent activities should call the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline toll-free at 866-720-5721. Complaints may also be made to Florida’s Office of the Attorney General at the state toll-free number: 866-966-7226.

Survivors in the counties currently designated for Individual Assistance can register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

For more information on Florida disaster recovery, click fema.gov/disaster/4177. Visit the Florida Division of Emergency Management website at FloridaDisaster.org or Facebook page at facebook.com/FloridaSERT.

Continue reading –

FEMA Specialists Reach Out to Survivors in Florida Panhandle Communities

FEMA Specialists Reach Out to Survivors in Mississippi Communities

PEARL, Miss. – Specialists with the Federal Emergency Management Agency are reaching out to survivors in Mississippi’s storm-ravaged communities to help individuals register for assistance. Survivors may meet a specialist in their neighborhood or speak to one on the phone.

Crews of FEMA disaster survivor assistance specialists and FEMA Corps members are canvassing affected areas to provide on-site registration assistance, address immediate and emerging needs, and answer any questions specific to the registration process. Specialists can also provide referrals to additional resources.

FEMA crews are visiting homes, businesses, local organizations and churches in Itawamba, Lee, Lowndes, Madison, Rankin, Wayne and Winston counties.

Using tablets, crew members can help a survivor fill out an application for assistance on the

spot – collecting information in person. Crew members can be identified easily by their photo badges and either FEMA or FEMA Corps clothing. Mississippians are reminded to ask for federal identification before providing personal information.

Survivors in designated counties may also receive a phone call from FEMA Individual Assistance specialists if they have already registered for disaster assistance.

If called, applicants could be asked to verify their identity with some of the following information:

The last four digits of their Social Security number.
The address of their damaged home.
The applicant’s current mailing address.
The applicant’s current phone number.

Should residents receive a call asking for banking information, they should contact the Mississippi Attorney General’s office at 601-359-3680 or visit www.ago.state.ms.us/.

For more information on Mississippi disaster recovery, click www.fema.gov/disaster/4175. Visit the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency website at www.msema.org/ or the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/msemaorg.

###

See the original post:

FEMA Specialists Reach Out to Survivors in Mississippi Communities

One Month after the SR530 Slide, Recovery Continues

EVERETT, Wash. – One month after the State Route 530 Slide claimed the lives of at least 41 people, recovery continues. Local, state, tribal and federal partners have all collaborated in response to this tragedy.

The response of local community groups has been robust from the start. Immediately following the tragedy, the American Red Cross (ARC) began mobilizing response vehicles and trained disaster workers. To date, five ARC vehicles have been active in response and recovery, and a total of more than 400 trained workers – about half of them from Washington State – have responded. ARC has distributed more than 23,600 meals and snacks (in partnership with Southern Baptist Disaster Relief); 1,000 comfort and relief items; and more than 6,800 mental health or health-related contacts have been made. Additionally, ARC shelters have provided 140 overnight stays. The nonprofit has also provided transportation assistance to those who are experiencing significantly-increased commuting times due to the slide.

“From the very start, we’ve remained committed to supporting Snohomish County as survivors continue in the recovery process,” said State Coordinating Officer Kurt Hardin. “Our work has only just begun. We’ll stay focused on every disaster survivor for as long as necessary.”

On April 2, 2014, President Obama issued a major disaster declaration for the State of Washington.The declaration made federal funding available to survivors in Snohomish County – including members of the Sauk-Suiattle, Stillaguamish, and Tulalip tribes – through the Individual Assistance program. Assistance may include funding for increased commuting costs and other disaster-related needs. To date, nearly $300,000 has been distributed in disaster assistance to eligible individuals and households through the Individual Assistance program. Additional funding is forthcoming.

Twenty-eight state agencies, as well as the Washington Conservation Corps, and the Washington Service Corps have provided assistance throughout the past 30 days in response to the disaster. Assistance provided to date includes search and rescue, and fatality extraction; security; emergency response and incident management personnel; environmental monitoring and hazardous materials recovery and disposal; aviation services; donations management; and administration of disaster assistance programs, among other services and activities.

All along, federal agencies have joined forces with and supported state and local search and rescue teams. Under a mission assignment from FEMA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers constructed a temporary structure to hold back water and help dry out areas where search teams can complete their work. The barrier – which is called a berm – is 3,000 feet long and made from 20,000 tons of rock, gravel and earthen materials.

Local, state, tribal and federal support of tribal response and recovery needs remains a top priority. Since the slide, there has been a coordinated partnership among tribal and local charitable organizations and other groups. One example is the ongoing work of the Sauk-Suiattle tribe and ARC as they manage direct distribution of food and other resources to tribal members.

FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams continue to provide in-person, tailored information and services. DSA has been in contact with 382 survivors and have already registered 102 survivors for FEMA assistance. They have provided 19 case inquiries (looking up information upon request), 35 case updates (updating information, as needed), and 139 whole community referrals. The teams have visited 17 community locations and 18 business locations.

Approximately 29 local voluntary organizations, Washington Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (WAVOAD) members, and National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (National VOAD) have provided multiple services to survivors of the SR530 Slide. These disaster specific services include emergency financial assistance, financial assistance for transportation, emergency feeding, children’s disaster services, hospitality, spiritual and emotional care, and funeral assistance.

Local, state, tribal and federal agencies also continue to use the best resources to support survivors. Experts have been brought in to provide geologic monitoring of the site, incident management and hazardous materials recovery.

Under the Public Assistance program, federal funding was made available to state and eligible tribal and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and debris removal. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will cover 75 percent of eligible costs.

Public Assistance funding will cover eligible costs associated with search and rescue operations. The Washington State Patrol deployed air support, chaplains, perimeter security, traffic control and provided regular records to the medical examination team. Additionally, nearly 600 National Guard soldiers were deployed to assist with the search.

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is processing mudflow damage claims. FEMA is working with “Write Your Own” policy partners to pay eligible filed claims as soon as possible. FEMA encourages all homeowners that sustained damage as a result of SR530 Slide to file claims with their insurance company as soon as possible.

In addition to the Individual Assistance and Public Assistance programs, low-interest disaster loans are available to eligible homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit groups through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). As of April 23, nearly $400,000 has so far been approved in SBA loans for survivors of the SR530 Slide.

“We will continue to work with local, tribal and state officials to ensure that every survivor of this tragedy receives all of the disaster assistance for which they are eligible,” said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Michael Hall. “We remain committed to the mission, and we are looking ahead to a rapid recovery.”

See original:

One Month after the SR530 Slide, Recovery Continues

Commuting Cost Assistance Available For Eligible SR530 Slide Survivors

EVERETT, Wash. – Commuting cost assistance is now available to eligible survivors of the March 22, 2014 SR530 Slide who are faced with long detours around the closed roadway between Arlington/Oso and Darrington.

As a result of the slide, SR530 remains impassible and the use of alternate routes has significantly increased the residents’ commuting distance and cost.

FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program’s ‘Other Needs Assistance (ONA)’ provision will help with the increased cost of commuting. Applicants whose essential commute required travel on SR530 and who are now traveling more than 25 miles one way around the closed portion of SR530, may be eligible. Essential trips include recurring travel for work, school, or recurring medical appointments.

“This program is the first-of-its-kind for Washington disaster response,” said Kurt Hardin, state coordinating officer for the SR530 Slide disaster. “We believe it will provide significant aid to Darrington-area residents who face lengthy commutes to job sites as a result of the SR530 Slide. For those eligible for this new program,” he added, “eligibility is back-dated to March 22.”

Applicants are required to meet FEMA’s eligibility criteria in order to be considered for increased commute cost assistance. Self-employed individuals and small business owners incurring additional business costs due to the increased commute should apply to the Small Business Administration for any economic impact or damage their business received as a result of the slide.

To request commute cost assistance, applicants must first be registered with FEMA. Once registered, applicants will receive a Request for Information (RFI) letter asking for names of individuals in the household who have increased commute times; the number of days per week each individual regularly commutes to work, school, or recurring medical appointments; and how many additional miles over 25 one way their daily commute has increased.

This program is one example of continuing disaster partnerships between federal and state agencies. Nonprofit groups and voluntary agencies’ response, in light of this situation, has been tremendous. The American Red Cross has been providing financial assistance to help with transportation, utilities, and other disaster-related needs. Community Transit now operates Route 231, an emergency bus route, between Darrington and Everett until further notice. For more information on this route, visit www.communitytransit.org/darrington.

“We are working closely with local, state and tribal partners to ensure that all survivors receive the assistance for which they are eligible,” according to FEMA’s Individual Assistance Branch Director Christy Grant. “This assistance will help those impacted by this historic event as they continue in recovery.”

Local, tribal, state, and federal partners will continue working together as long-term recovery continues.

View the original here:

Commuting Cost Assistance Available For Eligible SR530 Slide Survivors

Now is the Time to Buy Flood Insurance

DENVER —With mountain snowpack high and rainy months on the way, now is the time to buy flood insurance, say state and federal emergency management officials.

In most circumstances, there is a 30-day waiting period from the time the policy is written and the premium is paid until the policy goes into effect. That means a policy purchased today, April 2, would not go into effect until May 2. It also means that a policy purchased a few weeks from today might not be in effect when spring runoff starts.

National Flood Insurance Program policies are available for homeowners, businesses and renters and include coverage for the structure and contents. Policy limits are $250,000 for residential structures and $100,000 for residential contents. Business structures and contents can be insured for up to $500,000 each. Renter content policies are available with a limit of $100,000.

As many survivors of last September’s disaster can attest, small creeks and even dry ditches can quickly turn into wide raging rivers. In fact, most flood insurance payments across the country are paid out to people who did not live in a Special Flood Hazard Area, or floodplain.

People who do live in a Special Flood Hazard Area, and who have a federally backed loan, are required to carry flood insurance. Also, anyone who lives in an A or V flood zone, and who received Individual Assistance from FEMA for last September’s flood damage, must have flood insurance or they will jeopardize federal assistance for any future flood declaration.

Flood insurance is available only to people who live or own businesses in a participating community with an approved flood hazard plan. To find out if you live in a Special Flood Hazard Area, contact your floodplain manager through your local or county government.

People with flood insurance can collect payments for damages sustained in most flooding events, even if the flooding does not result in a disaster declaration.

The process and the rules can get complicated, so emergency officials urge anyone thinking about flood insurance to contact an insurance agent for more information. To find an agent or for more information on flood insurance, visit floodsmart.gov or call 1-888-379-9531.

See more here:

Now is the Time to Buy Flood Insurance

Federal Tornado Assistance to Illinois Tops $21 Million

SPRINGFIELD, IL – FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration report federal disaster assistance to Illinois tornado survivors affected by the November storms has surpassed $21 million.

In the two months since the Nov. 26 federal disaster declaration, FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program has approved more than $2.5 million in grants to Illinois homeowners and renters for home repairs, rental assistance and grants to replace lost personal items. FEMA grants continue to be approved and assistance continues to flow to Illinois residents.

The SBA reports more than $18.7 million in low-interest disaster loans has been approved to help start the Illinois re-building process.

SBA disaster loans are still available to homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes in Illinois. Failure to return the SBA loan application may stop further FEMA grants for some applicants.

The deadline to register with FEMA for possible grants and to return SBA loan applications is Monday, Feb. 3.

Register Online at DisasterAssisance.gov or by phone, 800-621-FEMA (3362). Assistance is available in most languages. People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (TTY) 800-462-7585.

SBA loan applications can be completed at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Call the SBA customer service center with questions at 800-659-2955. People who use TTY can call 800-877-8339. For more information, visit sba.gov.

For the latest information on Illinois’ recovery from the Nov. 17 storms, visit FEMA.gov/Disaster/4157. Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/femaregion5, facebook.com/fema and youtube.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). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

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).

FEMA News Desk: 217-522-2080

###

This article is from:

Federal Tornado Assistance to Illinois Tops $21 Million

FEMA Continues Disaster Recovery Mission in West, Texas

AUSTIN, Texas – In the nearly eight weeks since the April 17 fertilizer plant explosion, the state of Texas and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have had personnel in West working side by side with local officials and the community to help them recover.

On April 19, 2013, an Emergency Declaration was granted for the explosion in West, Texas providing immediate financial assistance to assist the state in the response. FEMA personnel arrived April 20 to begin preliminary damage assessments of homes and businesses affected by the explosion.

“We have physically been in the City of West since April 20 working alongside survivors, the city of West and McLennan County to maximize our efforts under the current Emergency Declaration,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Kevin L. Hannes of FEMA. “There is a lot of work that remains to be done. FEMA in partnership with the state of Texas will have a presence in West as long as needed.”

On May 1, the Emergency Declaration was amended to include the Individual and Households Program. The state and FEMA opened a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in West on May 4 to begin helping survivors with applying for federal disaster assistance. The center transitioned to a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Outreach Center June 3. Since the opening on May 4, the center has received more than 1200 new and repeat visitors.

Even though the SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center closed June 13, FEMA personnel including Individual Assistance and Public Assistance specialists will remain at that location to continue to work with survivors. FEMA specialists will be available at the POINTWEST bank to help register survivors, accept and process additional insurance documentation and provide residents with the status of their applications until the registration period ends June 18.

“We are committed to registering every eligible survivor,” Hannes said. “We have registered 789 survivors so far and we are proactively contacting each applicant once again as part of a 100 percent review and outreach initiative. To date, more than $7.6 million in federal disaster assistance has been approved for survivors.”

FEMA continues to have personnel in West and in Austin actively working with state and local officials to prepare Public Assistance project worksheets for reimbursement of costs related to emergency protective measures and debris removal authorized under the current Federal Emergency Declaration. “We are working diligently to reimburse the City of West, McLennan County and the State of Texas for expenses incurred while performing life-saving and emergency protective measures immediately following the explosion,” Hannes continued.

More than $1.1 million in Public Assistance funds have been obligated to the state to reimburse agencies that responded to the explosion. Under a cost-sharing formula, FEMA reimburses the state for 75 percent of the total costs while the state and/or applicant cover the remaining 25 percent.

Survivors who have not registered with FEMA can do so by going online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. They may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Survivors who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers are available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. The registration deadline is June 18.

Read article here:

FEMA Continues Disaster Recovery Mission in West, Texas

Fact Sheet QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT STATE AND FEDERAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE FOR OKLAHOMA

Q: Who is eligible to register for state and federal disaster assistance?

A: You may be eligible if you live in a federally designated county and incurred damage from severe storms, flooding and tornadoes May 18 through June 2. The six counties now designated for Individual Assistance are Canadian, Cleveland, Lincoln, McClain, Oklahoma and Pottawatomie.

Q: If I had damage from the severe storms, flooding and tornadoes May 18 through June 2 but live in a county that has not been designated for Individual Assistance, should I register anyway?

A: Yes. Homeowners and renters outside the six designated counties may report their damage. The damage reports will help OEM and FEMA ensure all impacted areas are identified and documented.

Q: What is Individual Assistance?

A: Individual Assistance may include:
o Grants to help pay for temporary housing and home repairs.
o Grants to help pay for personal property replacement or disaster-related necessary expenses—such as uninsured medical and dental costs, damaged vehicle replacement, lost work tools, and moving and storage fees related to the disaster.
o Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

Q: Isn’t an SBA disaster loan only for businesses?

A: No. SBA provides low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes (including landlords) and private nonprofit organizations for disaster damage not fully covered by insurance or other compensation.

Q: I don’t think I can afford an SBA low-interest disaster loan. Should I fill out the SBA application anyway?

A: Yes. If you received an SBA application, it’s a good idea to fill it out and return it to SBA. If you don’t qualify for a loan, SBA may refer you for a FEMA grant to help replace disaster-damaged essential personal property such as damaged or destroyed major appliances.

Q: How do I register for disaster assistance?

A: There are three ways you can register for disaster assistance. Call 800-621-3362; TTY 800-462-7585; online, visit DisasterAssistance.gov or go to m.fema.gov via web-enabled phone. Users of 711-Relay or Video Relay Services should call 800-621-3362.

Q: Can I register for assistance if I have insurance?

A: Yes. Even if you have insurance, you should apply. You may be eligible for disaster assistance for the uninsured and underinsured losses and damage.

Q: If I am a renter, can I get FEMA disaster assistance?

A: Yes. If you are a renter and your house was made unlivable by a disaster, you may be eligible for disaster grants for rental assistance and other serious disaster-related needs.

Q: If I am a renter, how do I use the temporary housing funds I receive?

A: FEMA leaves the rental choices to survivors. For example, you may use your rental assistance to rent an apartment, a house or a recreational vehicle (RV). RVs can include travel trailers or other prefabricated dwellings.

Q: When I register, do I qualify and receive payments from FEMA?

A: After you register, your completed application is reviewed, and an inspector may call to schedule an inspection at your damaged dwelling.

If you are eligible for assistance, FEMA’s Households and Individuals Program will send you a U.S. Treasury/state check or a direct deposit to your bank account if you signed up for it. Other types of assistance may be provided later, based on specific eligibility and need.

Q: If I receive FEMA assistance, could it reduce my Social Security or other benefits?

A: No. State and FEMA disaster assistance will not affect your Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, supplemental nutrition assistance or similar benefits you receive.

Q. Do I have to repay any Individual Assistance funds I receive for my recovery?

A. No. The funds are grants that do not have to be repaid.

Q: Do undocumented immigrants qualify for federal assistance?

A: Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national or a qualified alien to be eligible for FEMA assistance. However, assistance may be available to a household if someone registers on behalf of a minor child in the home who is a U.S. citizen or a qualified alien under 18.

Q: If I received a letter from FEMA with an ineligible determination, does that mean that I will not get any assistance?

A: Receiving such a letter does not necessarily mean that you are not eligible for disaster assistance, even when the letter states “ineligible” or “incomplete.” It can be an indication that further information is needed, or that your insurance claim needs to be settled first before disaster assistance can be granted.

Q: I need information on the status of my application, and I have a few questions about FEMA’s disaster programs. What should I do?

A: Please call 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585) or go online at DisasterAssistance.gov. You can call as often as you like to get your questions answered. You can also ask about the location of disaster recovery centers, where you can meet face to face with disaster specialists.

For more information on Oklahoma disaster recovery, click fema.gov/disaster/4117 or visit the OEM site at oem.ok.gov. The fema.gov website has a link to a Rumor Control Page, which clarifies disaster-related rumors.

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 Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) prepares for, responds to, recovers from and mitigates against emergencies and disasters. The department delivers service to Oklahoma cities, towns and counties through a network of more than 350 local emergency managers.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.
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 article –

Fact Sheet QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT STATE AND FEDERAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE FOR OKLAHOMA

Page 4 of 5 « 1 2 3 4 5 »