DISASTER RECOVERY CENTERS TO OPEN: Assistance Process Starts by Registering with FEMA

CHEYENNE, WYO. – Wyoming residents in Johnson and Niobrara counties who have been affected by the flooding that occurred from May 24 to June 6 can soon visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) if they have questions about recovery programs. The DRCs opening this week are located in Buffalo and Lusk and have recovery program representatives available to help answer questions about assistance.

The DRC is set up for residents who like to speak one-on-one to recovery representatives, but it’s not necessary to visit a center to receive disaster assistance. The fastest way to register with FEMA is by phone or online. Individuals or businesses can call 1-800-621-3362 (TTY 1-800-462-7585) or go online at www.fema.gov or www.disasterassistance.gov. The registration line is open daily from 5 a.m. – 9 p.m. (MDT) until further notice. Individuals may also register by smart phone at m.fema.gov. 

Even if residents previously registered with their local emergency manager or with a voluntary agency, they must still register with FEMA to access federal disaster assistance programs.

The DRCs will be open daily from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. until further notice.

Residents who plan to stop by the DRC are urged to register for assistance before their visit.

Johnson County (Opens July 14)             Niobrara County (Opens July 16)

Road and Bridge Building                              Niobrara County Fairgrounds

325 Butte Street                                            Shooting Sports Multiplex Complex

Buffalo, WY 82834                                        310 West US HWY 20

                                                                      Lusk, WY 82225

Customer service representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will be at the centers to answer questions about SBA’s federal low-interest disaster loans and help business owners and residents complete their application.

FEMA Mitigation specialists are scheduled to be on hand at the DRC to provide information and answer questions about cost-effective rebuilding and repair techniques to reduce property damage in future disasters.

Original article:  

DISASTER RECOVERY CENTERS TO OPEN: Assistance Process Starts by Registering with FEMA

Frequently Asked Questions on Letter of Eligibility

Why did I get a letter stating I’m ineligible?

FEMA routinely corresponds with applicants to let them know if they qualify for federal disaster assistance. The most common reasons for receiving a determination of ineligibility are:

  • Adequate insurance coverage.
  • Insufficient storm-related damage.
  • Missing documentation needed to complete the assistance evaluation process.

What are examples of missing documentation?

You may need to provide an insurance settlement letter, proof of residence, proof of ownership of the damaged property, or proof that the damaged property was your primary residence at the time of the disaster.

What should I do if I receive a letter?

Please call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362), or (TTY) 800-462-7585 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) to check the status of your application, update your contact numbers or ask any questions. Users of 711 or Video Relay Services should call 800-621-3362.

If instructed and needed, applicants can simply submit missing documentation to FEMA online, by mail or fax, or in person at a Disaster Recovery Center.

What if my insurance doesn’t cover all my needs?

FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but underinsured applicants may receive further assistance for unmet needs:

  • If you are unable to live in your home due to disaster damage and your insurance policy does not cover temporary rental assistance, you may be eligible for rental assistance from FEMA.
  • If your home sustained property damage and you’re still waiting for an insurance settlement payment, you may be eligible for an advance from FEMA.

Why am I being contacted by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)?

Residents and business owners may automatically be referred to the SBA for possible low-interest disaster recovery loans to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

You should not wait for your insurance settlement to apply for a low-interest disaster from SBA. In disaster recovery, SBA’s low-interest loans may be the primary source of the federal funds for the long-term repair and replacement of disaster-damaged private property for business of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters.

What if I find more disaster-related damage?

Explain in your written appeal why you need additional home repair assistance. For instance, if you discover the costs of disaster-related home repairs exceeds your home repair grant, you can appeal the initial determination. To wage an effective appeal, include any supporting documentation, such as repair estimates, receipts, statements or invoices. FEMA may send another inspector to your damaged property.

Can I appeal FEMA’s determination of eligibility?

You may appeal any decision made by FEMA. By doing so, you are asking FEMA to review your case. Appeals may relate to your initial eligibility determination, the amount or type of assistance received, the need for Continued Temporary Housing Assistance, or other disaster-related decisions.

How do I appeal the decision?

All formal appeals must be filed in writing to FEMA. Appeals must be submitted within 60 days of receipt of a letter denying assistance.

What else should I include in my appeal?

To ensure accuracy and help FEMA personnel process your appeal quickly, please include the following information in your letter of appeal:

  • Your full name
  • The address of your damaged property
  • Current contact information
  • Disaster number: DR-4223-TX
  • Last four digits of your Social Security number
  • Your birthdate and place of birth
  • Your 9-digit FEMA registration number on each page and on supporting documentation
  • Your letter must be either notarized, include a copy of a state issued identification card, or include the following statement, “I hereby declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.”
  • You must sign the letter

If someone other than you or the co-applicant is writing the letter, there must be a signed statement from you affirming that the person may act on your behalf. You should keep a copy of your appeal for your records.

Where do I send my appeal letter?

By mail:

FEMA – Individuals & Households Program
National Processing Service Center
P.O. Box 10055
Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055

By fax:

800-827-8112
Attention: FEMA – Individuals & Households Program

Continued here: 

Frequently Asked Questions on Letter of Eligibility

Napa, Solano County Residents to Receive Federal Individual, Household Aid Following South Napa Earthquake

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Today the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that the Major Disaster declaration for the South Napa earthquake will also include the Individuals and Households Program under the Stafford Act. This amendment makes assistance available to help homeowners and renters recover from the earthquake.

“This is a very welcome announcement for those individuals that had their daily lives changed by this earthquake,” said Cal OES Director Mark Ghilarducci. “Additional federal resources like this program will be a huge help to everyone impacted, especially those struggling with major damages and limited personal resources.”

Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. and local, state and Congressional officials requested a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration as damages caused by the 6.0-magnitude earthquake that shook through most of Northern California mounted. In response, President Barack Obama declared a Major Disaster on Sept. 11. The Major Disaster Declaration allowed for public assistance to be available to state, tribal and eligible governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged during the earthquake. The Individuals and Households Program will provide assistance to residents in Napa and Solano Counties.

“We are glad to be able to assist individual households as well as state and local governments in recovering from this earthquake,” said FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer Stephen De Blasio. “We ask those Californians who sustained earthquake damage to get registered as quickly as possible.”

Gov. Brown declared a State of Emergency shortly after the earthquake, whose epicenter was near American Canyon and the City of Napa, and issued an executive order to provide additional financial assistance to local agencies and non-profit organizations.

Individuals who are interested in finding out more information about eligibility for the Individual and Households Program should call or register at 800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 800-462-7585 or visit DisasterAssistance.gov.

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View the original here: 

Napa, Solano County Residents to Receive Federal Individual, Household Aid Following South Napa Earthquake

Michigan Flood Survivors Can Get Free Legal Aid

WARREN, Mich. – Individuals who sustained damage from the August storms and flooding can call the Disaster Legal Services hotline at 844-451-0749 for free legal assistance and counseling.

Through the hotline, volunteer lawyers can help eligible survivors with legal issues related to the disaster. Volunteer lawyers can discuss insurance claims, landlord-tenant issues, consumer protection issues and the replacement of wills or other important documents that were lost or destroyed during the storm.

To be eligible for this free legal assistance, applicants must reside in one of the three counties designated for Individual Assistance under the federal disaster declaration for the August storms. The counties are Macomb, Oakland and Wayne.

Disaster Legal Services is a federally funded program run under an agreement between the American Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Individuals also can register for disaster assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via smart phone, tablet or web-enabled device at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) users call 800-462-7585. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. EDT 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. 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.

English: http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4195
Spanish: http://www.fema.gov/es/disaster/4195
 

Continue reading – 

Michigan Flood Survivors Can Get Free Legal Aid

Ten Years Later: Remembering Hurricane Ivan

ATLANTA—Ten years ago “Ivan the Terrible,” as the deadly hurricane was dubbed, ripped across the Gulf Coast as the strongest storm of the 2004 season. Ten years later, Hurricane Ivan serves as a reminder that the time to prepare for the next hurricane is now.

Ivan is remembered for its storm surge, extensive rains, and 117 tornadoes that caused coastal and inland flooding and tornado damage across much of the southeastern United States. Strong winds spread well inland—damaging homes, and downing trees and power lines. Ten states from Louisiana to New York received federal disaster declarations, including five in the southeast.

Ivan made its first U.S. landfall on September 16, as a strong Category 3 hurricane, just west of Gulf Shores, Alabama, with its strongest winds occurring near the Alabama-Florida panhandle border. Wind and high surf caused extensive damage to Innerarity Point and Orange Beach, Alabama. In Florida, storm surge took out portions of the Interstate 10 bridge system in Pensacola Bay and Perdido Key was significantly damaged. Thousands of homes in Baldwin County (Alabama) and Escambia, and Santa Rosa Counties in Florida were damaged or destroyed. In Escambia County alone debris piles were more than three-quarters of a mile long and 70 feet high. In all, Ivan was the most destructive hurricane to affect this area in more than 100 years.

“Hurricane Ivan serves as a reminder, especially during National Preparedness Month, that we all need to be ready for disasters and emergencies,” said FEMA Region IV Acting Regional Administrator Andrew Velasquez III. “September is also the height of hurricane season, so preparing now is even more critical for families and businesses in the Southeast.”

Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare

September marks National Preparedness Month, and this week’s anniversary of Hurricane Ivan is an opportune time to plan for specific needs before a disaster. Whether you are planning for your family, your business or a faith-based or voluntary organization, use this week to understand your preparedness needs. Develop plans ahead of the next disaster. Information to help you make an emergency plan is at www.ready.gov or www.listo.gov. National Preparedness Month culminates on September 30 with America’s PrepareAthon! Check out the information and plan to participate.

Following Hurricane Ivan, FEMA provided:

  • In Alabama—More than $190 million in grants to more than 89,200 applicants through the Individuals and Households Program for lodging expenses, rental assistance, minor home repairs and other needs assistance; more than $222 million for emergency protective measures, or for the repair or replacement of public infrastructure and public utilities;
  • In Florida: More than $164 million in grants to more than 79,390 applicants through the Individuals and Households Program for lodging expenses, rental assistance, minor home repairs and other needs assistance; more than $695 million for emergency protective measures, or for the repair or replacement of public infrastructure and public utilities;
  • In Georgia: More than $4 million in grants to more than 1,300 applicants through the Individuals and Households Program for lodging expenses, rental assistance, minor home repairs and other needs assistance; more than $11 million for emergency protective measures, or for the repair or replacement of public infrastructure and public utilities;
  • In Mississippi: More than $8.5 million in grants to more than 4,530 applicants through the Individuals and Households Program for lodging expenses, rental assistance, minor home repairs and other needs assistance; more than $14 million for emergency protective measures, or for the repair or replacement of public infrastructure and public utilities;
  • In North Carolina: More than $13 million in grants to more than 4,000 applicants through the Individuals and Households Program for lodging expenses, rental assistance, minor home repairs and other needs assistance; more than $32 million for emergency protective measures, or for the repair or replacement of public infrastructure and public utilities.

The time to prepare for the next hurricane is now. September is National Preparedness Month, and there is no better time to consider how prepared you and your family are for the next disaster. Visit www.ready.gov or www.listo.gov for a wealth of emergency preparedness resources, including how to create a family emergency plan, build an emergency kit and take part in a community preparedness event. Be Smart. Take Part. Prepare.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

 

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Continue reading: 

Ten Years Later: Remembering Hurricane Ivan

Housing Search Site May Help with Rental Housing Needs

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – If the late-April storms, tornadoes and flooding wrecked your home and you still have not found a place to live, an online source of rental housing may help.

ALHousingSearch.org  (Alabama Housing Search) has up-to-date listings of rental properties in most of the larger Alabama towns and cities with prices and interactive maps so a storm survivor may find a suitable location for a household.

Assistance with searches also is provided by toll-free phone—877-428-8844, TTY 800-462-7585, fax, mail and email.

FEMA has contracted with ALHousingsearch.org to help identify qualified rental properties in or near areas of the state where damage may have occurred.  Owners of property suitable for rentals by disaster survivors may submit property listings with photos.

FEMA may pay, through its Individuals and Households program, up to 18 months of rental assistance to both homeowners and renters if they need to relocate while repairs are being made to their disaster-damaged residences.

Residents of Baldwin, Blount, DeKalb, Etowah, Jefferson, Lee, Limestone, Mobile and Tuscaloosa counties who suffered storm damage during the period April 28 through May 5 should apply for assistance by registering 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.

An application for continued temporary housing will be sent to applicants who have received initial rental assistance approximately two weeks after the first rental award.

The deadline for registration for disaster assistance is July 1.

 

Follow this link – 

Housing Search Site May Help with Rental Housing Needs

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.

Continue reading here:

Disaster Survivors in Alabama may be Eligible for Child Care Assistance

Federal Disaster Aid for Colorado Flooding Tops $339.5 Million

County

Individuals and Household Program

Public Assistance

SBA

Adams

Housing Assistance

Other Needs Assistance

Total

    $1,111,231

       $136,457

   $1,247,687

 

 

$4,541,847

Business Loans

Home Loans

Loan Total

        $80,500

   $1,588,700

   $1,669,200

Arapahoe

Housing Assistance

Other Needs Assistance

Total

    $3,276,222

       $295,033

$3,571,255

   

 

$546,418

Business Loans

Home Loans

Loan Total

       $252,800

    $3,722,700

$3,975,500

Boulder

Housing Assistance

Other Needs Assistance

Total

   $32,621,290

     $2,295,861

$34,917,151

 

 

  $21,376,193

Business Loans

Home Loans

Loan Total

  $13,180,900

  $49,594,800

$62,775,700

Clear Creek

Housing Assistance

Other Needs Assistance

Total

    $239,128

        $2,674

$241,801

  

 

$702,905

Business Loans

Home Loans

Loan Total

       $29,600

     $142,200

$171,800     

Crowley

 

 

$239,576

 

 

Denver

 

 

$1,894,646

 

 

El Paso

Housing Assistance

Other Needs Assistance

Total

   $1,576,816

      $194,261

$1,771,078

 

 

$5,114,466

Business Loans

Home Loans

Loan Total

       $370,100

    $1,756,100

$2,126,200     

Fremont

Housing Assistance

Other Needs Assistance

Total

    $59,352

      $1,950

$61,302

 

 

$813,276

Home Loans

 

Loan Total

        $45,400

 

$45,400            

Grand

 

 

 

Business Loans

Loan Total

         $81,700

$81,700

Gilpin

 

 

$448,147

 

 

Jefferson

Housing Assistance

Other Needs Assistance

Total

   $1,558,011

        $38,442

$1,596,453

 

 

$4,044,640

Business Loans

Home Loans

Loan Total

       $413,600

$2,662,600

$3,076,200

Lake

 

 

$156,570

 

 

Larimer

Housing Assistance

Other Needs Assistance

Total

   $6,455,500

      $370,727

$6,826,227

 

 

$37,211,208

Business Loans

Home Loans

Loan Total

  $11,082,000

    $8,947,300

$20,029,300

Lincoln

 

 

$96,737

 

 

Logan

Housing Assistance

Other Needs Assistance

Total

   $485,884

     $42,875

$528,759

 

 

$587,515

Business Loans

Home Loans

Loan Total

    $179,200       $1,312,100

$1,491,300

Morgan

Housing Assistance

Other Needs Assistance Total

   $82,381

     $8,292

$90,673

 

 

$3,171,481

Home Loans

 

Loan Total

         $65,400

 

$65,400

Sedgwick

 

 

$20,618

 

 

Washington

 

 

$277,783

 

 

Weld

Housing Assistance

Other Needs Assistance

Total

   $8,640,958

   $1,500,116

$10,141,074

 

 

$9,408,352

Business Loans

Home Loans

Loan Total

    $1,179,400

    $9,533,600

$10,713,000

Statewide

 

 

$16,180,774

 

 

Total

Housing Assistance

Other Needs Assistance

Total

$56,106,772

$4,886,689

$60,993,461

 

 

$106,833,151

Business Loans

Home Loans

Loan Total

$26,849,800

$79,370,900

$106,220,700

Original post:  

Federal Disaster Aid for Colorado Flooding Tops $339.5 Million

FEMA Individual Assistance tops $1 billion in New York after Sandy

NEW YORK – The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved more than $1 billion in assistance to individuals and families in New York whose property was damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Sandy.

This includes more than $855 million to help eligible survivors with home repairs and temporary rental costs and nearly $145 million with other uninsured hurricane-related expenses related to personal property, transportation, medical, dental, funeral and moving costs.

The $1 billion in grants through FEMA’s Individuals and Households program is part of more than $8 billion in total disaster assistance toward New York’s recovery, including more than $1.5 billion in low-interest U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loans, more than $3.7 billion in flood insurance claim payments and more than $1.8 billion for debris removal, repair or replacement of public facilities and reimbursement for emergency expenses.

For more information on New York’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4085, http://twitter.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy and www.fema.gov/blog.

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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) (TTY 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).

Source – 

FEMA Individual Assistance tops $1 billion in New York after Sandy

Registration to End but Right to Appeal FEMA Decision for 60 Days Remains

AURORA, IL – Though registration ends this week—Aug. 8—for federal assistance to recover from severe weather and flooding of April 16-May 5, there is a right to appeal a FEMA decision within 60 days of the determination letter’s date.

One may appeal any decision. If an applicant does not agree with an inspection report, with the amount of assistance, or with a denial letter from FEMA, an appeal can be made for review of the case.

The appeals process begins with a letter from the applicant stating in as much detail as possible why the decision about the amount or type of assistance received may not be correct. Correspondence may include estimates for repair, invoices for repair work that could indicate additional time and expenses for work. The appeal letter may also include information about an insurance settlement. For a case to be reviewed, an appeal letter must be postmarked within 60 days of the decision letter’s date. Remember to date the appeal letter.

Review of one’s case requires:

  • You or someone who represents you or your household sign the letter. If the person writing the letter is not a member of your household, there must be a signed statement saying the person may act for you.
  • The nine-digit FEMA identification number be included.
  • The disaster number be included: DR-4116-IL (shown at the top of the decision letter).

Mail the appeal letter to:

FEMA – Individuals & Households Program

National Processing Service Center

P.O. Box 10055

Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055

Or fax the appeal letter to: (800) 827-8112

Attention: FEMA – Individuals & Households Program

All appeals are reviewed and decisions are usually made within 30 days of receiving the request.

Notification of the response to an appeal comes by mail. For additional information, review “Help After a Disaster,” the guide sent to each applicant after registration. Information is also available at www.fema.gov/help-after-disaster.

FEMA’s helpline continues as a source of information and assistance.

How to reach FEMA:

  • Visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov
  • Visit m.fema.gov via a web-enabled phone 
  • Dial the FEMA Helpline 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
  • Call 800-621-3362 for 711 Relay or Video Relay Services
  • Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 at the Helpline if in need of assistance in other languages.  

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.twitter.com/femaregion5, 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.  

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Media Contact: 571-408-1835

Source: 

Registration to End but Right to Appeal FEMA Decision for 60 Days Remains

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