What to Expect After South Carolina Survivors Call FEMA

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Registering with the Federal Emergency Management Agency is the first step to getting federal disaster assistance.

After you apply, FEMA will send you a copy of your application and a copy of “Help After a Disaster: Applicant’s Guide to the Individuals and Households Program,” which will answer many of your questions.

This publication explains how FEMA’s disaster assistance program works; describes additional kinds of help you may qualify for from other federal, state and voluntary agencies; and gives you many important tips on how best to make all these programs work for you.

After You Register

If your home or its contents are damaged and you are uninsured or underinsured, verifying disaster damage is part of the process to establish the amount and type of damage you suffered.

You will get a call from an inspector who has construction background and is fully qualified to do the job. Inspectors are private contractors who wear official FEMA ID badges. If you have concerns with the legitimacy of a FEMA housing inspector, you should contact your local law enforcement as they will be able to validate their identification. 

Authorized inspectors will only confirm personal detailed information that you previously provided during the registration process, such as your registration number. They never charge for an inspection.

The U.S. Small Business Administration and various insurance companies also have inspectors in the field. You may also see preliminary damage assessment teams in your area.

Inspector’s Call

After you register – either online at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585) or visiting a disaster recovery center – a nine-digit application number is assigned. An inspector will then call to schedule an appointment to visit your damaged property – generally no longer than 10 days after registration.

Inspector’s Visit

Keep the scheduled appointment to make sure the assistance process moves quickly. The inspection should take typically 10 to 20 minutes. You – or someone who is 18 or older and lived in the household prior to the disaster – must be present for the scheduled appointment. Inspectors will review both structural and personal property damage and file a report, but they do not determine eligibility or determine the value of damage or losses.

A FEMA inspection is not an insurance inspection. If you are covered by insurance, you should contact your insurance company immediately as FEMA cannot duplicate payments.

Proof of Ownership or Occupancy

The inspector will ask for identification and proof of ownership and occupancy (for homeowners) and occupancy only (for renters). You can speed up the process by having the appropriate documents on hand:

  • A photo ID to prove identity, such as driver’s license or passport.
  • Proof of occupancy, such as a lease, rent payment receipt or utility bill.
  • Proof of ownership, such as a deed, title, mortgage payment book, property insurance policy or tax receipts.  

After the Inspector’s Visit

You will receive a letter from FEMA containing a decision within 10 days of the inspector’s visit. If you are eligible for assistance, the letter will be followed by a check or an electronic funds transfer. The letter explains how the money can be used. You may receive a low-interest disaster loan application in the packet from the SBA. You do not have to accept a loan. However, you must complete the application and return it to SBA to remain eligible for other types of federal assistance, such as FEMA grants.

 

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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What to Expect After South Carolina Survivors Call FEMA

An Inside Look at a FEMA Housing Inspection Visit

SAIPAN – Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) inspectors continue to examine property damage as part of the FEMA process that brings assistance to Saipan, CNMI residents who have registered with FEMA in the wake of Typhoon Soudelor.

Applicants will receive their inspections in the order that they were received as long as the survivors are reachable when the inspector contacts them to schedule the inspection.  If their phone is not working or the inspectors cannot get a hold of them, this will delay their inspection date.  Inspectors will attempt contact by phone on at least three separate occasions and, if they are unable to reach the applicants by phone, will attempt to physically locate the damaged dwelling to see if they can contact the applicants in person.

When inspectors visit the dwelling, and if no one is there to receive the inspection, they will leave a “Sorry I Missed You” letter which includes the inspector’s contact phone number on it and a number to call if the inspection is returned after the three unsuccessful attempts. FEMA advises survivors to assist themselves in the process by ensuring they have given FEMA a working phone number where they can be reached, have their ownership/occupancy verification form ready to show to the inspectors when they arrive, and provide clear directions to their houses, or to landmarks the inspectors can work off of. Applicants should also make sure their town is included in the FEMA registration when providing the damaged dwelling’s physical address.

“Inspectors are in the field to confirm your loss,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Stephen M. DeBlasio Sr., of FEMA. “We encourage residents with property damage to register quickly with FEMA and be ready to welcome our inspectors who will help speed your claim process.”

Before an inspector is assigned to an applicant, homeowners and renters with uninsured or underinsured disaster-related damage must register with FEMA. Survivors can register by phone at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for survivors with hearing disabilities.  Online registration is also available 24/7 at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. Multilingual assistance is available.

Once applicants have registered:

  • An inspector will call to schedule an appointment to visit the damaged property.  This is necessary to confirm eligibility for FEMA assistance for disaster-related losses.  Applicants are asked to be at home when inspectors visit.
  • The inspector will evaluate the extent of damage to an applicant’s house or apartment and determine whether it is in a livable condition by checking the building and its systems. Damage to major appliances — washer, dryer, furnace, refrigerator, stove — will be assessed. Inspectors should be informed about any important losses such as clothing, medical equipment, tools needed for a trade and educational materials.
  • Homeowners and renters with private septic systems and wells should point out these facilities.  FEMA assistance may be available to repair or replace damaged systems.
  • Applicants can help speed the inspection by having documents — mortgage payment, utility receipt, lease, etc. — ready to show proof of ownership or occupancy to the inspector. Having insurance papers available if possible is also helpful.

FEMA inspectors have agency photo identification and will never charge a fee for any service.  If you suspect fraud from any inspector or other person offering assistance, report them to the nearest law enforcement agency and to the FEMA toll-free Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721.

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

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

If you are unable to provide traditional proof of ownership/occupancy (such as tax bill, mortgage payment books, deed, title, insurance), you can get a signed letter by a local precinct representative to validate the physical location of a home/dwelling (a P.O. Box address is not sufficient).  Ownership/Occupancy Verification Letters can be picked up at:

  • Fire Stations
    • Kagman
    • Garapan
    • Susupe
    • San Roque
    • Koblerville
  • The Disaster Recovery Center located at the Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe
  • Shelters located at:
    • Kagman Community Center
    • Tanapag Headstart
    • Saipan Aging Center

Once filled out, please take the form to your local fire station. They will provide you with a contact number to reach your local precinct representative to validate.

If you have been displaced and need transportation to and from the housing inspection, you can contact the Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority at 670-237-8000 to schedule transportation.

Once the inspection process is complete, your case will be reviewed by FEMA and you will receive a letter or email outlining the decision about your claim. If you qualify for FEMA assistance, you will receive a check or direct deposit, and a separate letter explaining how you may use the money. Homeowners may use FEMA housing repair grants for essential repairs to make their residence safe, secure and livable. These grants are for repairs necessary to make primary rooms habitable. FEMA assistance may not make you whole again, but it can start you on the road to recovery.

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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An Inside Look at a FEMA Housing Inspection Visit

FEMA Housing Inspectors Contacting Flood Survivors

WARREN, Mich. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reports that more than 400 housing inspectors are in Wayne, Macomb and Oakland counties reaching out to Michigan homeowners and renters who have registered with FEMA for disaster assistance.

These FEMA inspectors are scheduling appointments with registered applicants to document the extent of damage to thousands of properties, but do not determine whether a particular applicant qualifies for FEMA assistance.  

Inspectors will make multiple attempts to contact an applicant and set an appointment for the inspection. Residents who have not received a call from an inspector within one week of registering should call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362.

Homeowners must be able to verify their identity and provide proof of ownership of the property. Renters can show occupancy proof with a driver’s license or a recent utility bill.

Within a few days after the inspection, applicants will be notified by letter, text or email alert to advise them of the decision about their claim. Applicants appealing a decision may do so in writing within 60 days of the decision.

Guidelines for appeals can be found in the Applicant’s Handbook sent to everyone who registers with FEMA.

FEMA’s contracted housing inspectors carry FEMA identification and are thoroughly trained. These inspectors use specialized software to ensure every resident receives the same inspection for consideration.

Experienced inspectors re-visit a random sample of applicants to assess the quality and content of the inspection performed.

Residents can register at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via a smart phone or Web-enabled device at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-FEMA (3362). TTY users may 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

FEMA News Desk: (586) 574-4222
EMHSD contact: Ron Leix (517) 336-6464
 

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FEMA Housing Inspectors Contacting Flood Survivors

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.

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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What to Expect From a FEMA Inspector

FEMA Inspectors Are Assessing Mississippi Homes for Damages

FEMA INSPECTORS ARE ASSESSING MISSISSIPPI HOMES FOR DAMAGES                                                                                

CLINTON, Miss. –Federal Emergency Management Agency inspectors are currently visiting the primary residences of disaster applicants in Mississippi to assess damages related to Hurricane Isaac.

Inspectors are private contractors and always display identification badges. Inspectors will contact applicants to make appointments before visiting properties.  

Federal assistance to homeowners and renters may include grants to help pay for rental housing, essential home repairs and other disaster-related expenses.

What To Expect:

Inspector’s Call:  A nine-digit application number is assigned to applicants after they register with FEMA. An inspector will call within 10 days to schedule an appointment to visit the damaged property.

Inspector’s Visit: Inspectors will review structural and personal property damage and file a report, but they do not determine eligibility or estimate or determine the value of damage or losses. The inspection typically takes 15 to 45 minutes.

The applicant, or someone who is 18 or older and lived in the household prior to Hurricane Isaac, must be present for the scheduled appointment.

Applicants can speed up the process by having the appropriate documents on hand:

  • A photo ID to prove identity, such as driver’s license or passport.
  • Homeowners must present proof of ownership, which may include any one of the following:
    • Deed showing applicant as the legal owner.
    • Title that lists the applicant on actual escrow or title document for the purchase of the home.
    • Mortgage payment book that names the applicant along with the address of the damaged home.
    • Property insurance policy for the damaged home with applicant’s name listed as the insured.Tax receipts or a property tax bill that lists the address of the damaged home and the applicant as the responsible party to the assessments.
  • Renters must present proof of occupancy, which may include any one of the following:
    • A lease, rent payment receipt, utility bill or other document confirming the home was the primary residence at the time of the disaster.
    • An employee pay stub and similar documents addressed to the applicant and showing the address of the damaged home.

Property owners who need to replace a document to prove ownership should visit their local tax office. Proof of ownership may avoid long delays in receiving eligible FEMA funds.

After the Inspector’s Visit: Within 10 days of the visit, an applicant will receive a joint letter from the state of Mississippi and FEMA that contains a decision.

Anyone with questions should call 800-621-3362. Those who use TTY can call 800-462-7585.

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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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FEMA Inspectors Are Assessing Mississippi Homes for Damages