insurance - femacontract.com

Westerly Disaster Recovery Center Relocates to Fire Station

WARWICK, RI – The Disaster Recovery Center in Westerly relocates Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012, to the Misquamicut Fire Station from its current location at St. Clare Church. The Westerly Center will continue to serve disaster survivors in the area until further notice as will the Centers in South Kingstown and Middletown. Locations for the current DRCs are:

Washington County

Misquamicut Fire Station, 65 Crandall Avenue, Westerly, RI. (Opens Saturday)
Union Fire Station (Community Room), 131 Asa Pond Road, South Kingstown, RI.

Newport County

Middletown Police Station (Community Room), 123 Valley Road, Middletown, RI.

Hours of operation for all DRCs are Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. All three DRCs will be closed Nov. 22, 2012, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Anyone who is registering should have the following information ready and available:

Current and pre-disaster address
Current Phone Number
Social Security Number (FEMA does verify name and Social Security number)
Insurance information (agency name, policy number, actual policy if possible)
Total household income
Description of losses caused by Hurricane Sandy
Bank account and routing number (for direct deposit of assistance funds)

Survivors may register with FEMA in three ways:

Visit DisasterAssistance.gov
Use a smartphone at m.fema.gov
Call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585

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 medical and dental expenses, 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.

SBA disaster loan information and application forms may be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people with speech or hearing disabilities) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET or by sending an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Applications can also be downloaded from www.sba.gov or completed on-line at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.

Westerly Disaster Recovery Center Relocates to Fire Station

Hurricane Sandy Survivors Should Return SBA Disaster Loan Applications to Keep Options Open

NEW YORK — Federal Emergency Management Agency grants are not the only disaster assistance option for Hurricane Sandy survivors. The U.S. Small Business Administration’s low-interest disaster loan program is another important source of assistance for homeowners, renters and businesses.

While some people prefer to avoid borrowing money to cover disaster-related expenses, additional unforeseen costs can arise down the road, leaving them without enough money to cover all expenses.

Additional financial gaps that may occur include:

Insurance not covering all repair or rebuilding costs;
Discovering disaster-related damage costs are more than the initial estimate; and
Finding additional damages.

Survivors who receive low-interest disaster loan applications from SBA after registering with FEMA should complete and return the applications even if they do not plan to accept a loan. By completing this important step in the process, they may become eligible for other forms of assistance, including additional grants from FEMA for homeowners and renters.

Homeowners, renters, private nonprofit organizations and businesses of all sizes, including people who own rental property, in designated counties can apply for low-interest disaster loans to pay for disaster-related damages. Applicants may apply for loans with SBA before insurance is settled.

Homeowners can receive loans of up to $200,000 to repair or replace their primary residences. Homeowners and renters may also borrow up to $40,000 to replace damaged or destroyed personal property including vehicles. Businesses and private nonprofits can apply for loans of up

to $2 million. Interest rates for businesses are as low as four percent to cover physical damage and economic injury caused by the disaster. For private nonprofits, interest rates are as low as three percent.

Disaster loans with rates as low as 1.688 percent are available for homeowners and renters in Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester counties, which have been designated for FEMA individual assistance. Loan terms may be up to 30 years to make payments affordable.

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application via SBA’s secure website at https://DisasterLoan.SBA.gov/ELA. More information is available by calling the SBA Disaster Customer Service Center toll-free number, 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339.) Assistance is also available by sending an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov or by visiting www.sba.gov.

SBA customer service representatives are available to issue or accept low-interest disaster loan applications and answer questions at all New York State/FEMA disaster recovery centers and 12 SBA business recovery centers.

To find the nearest disaster recovery center, check out the disaster recovery center locator at www.FEMA.gov/disaster-recovery-centers or, with a tablet or smartphone, go to m.fema.gov. You may also text “DRC” and your zip code to 43362 (4FEMA). For example, if you lived in Staten Island, you would text: “DRC 10301.” Or call 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585).

To locate the nearest business recovery center, visit www.sba.gov or call 800-659-2955
(TTY 800-877-8339.)

Link to article –

Hurricane Sandy Survivors Should Return SBA Disaster Loan Applications to Keep Options Open

FEMA Online Help Digest

Individuals, families and business owners in all New Jersey Counties may qualify for aid programs provided and coordinated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The following is a summary and list of online resources for survivors of Hurricane Sandy.

Residents can also get disaster-related information by visiting www.disasterassistance.gov or calling the FEMA helpline 24/7 at 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.

Residents can also access information on assistance available to help with recovery needs by visiting a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). To find the nearest DRC: http://www.disasterassistance.gov/disaster-assistance.

Assistance for affected individuals, families, and businesses may include:

Rental payments for temporary housing for those whose homes are unlivable. Initial assistance may be provided for up to three months for homeowners and at least one month for renters. Benefits may be extended for up to 18 months, based on a review of individual applicant requirements. Rental listings on the FEMA Housing Portal at http://asd.fema.gov/inter/hportal/home.htm.
Short-term lodging assistance for evacuees who are not able to return home for an extended or indeterminate period of time following a disaster. FEMA may provide Transitional Shelter Assistance (TSA) in hotels and motels to those who continue to need housing after shelters have closed because they are unable to return to their homes. To find participating hotels visit http://www.femaevachotels.com.
Grants for home repairs and replacement of essential household items not covered by insurance to make damaged dwellings safe, sanitary and functional. To start the application process and for additional information: https://www.disasterassistance.gov/ .
Grants to replace personal property and help meet medical, dental, funeral, transportation and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other federal, state and charitable aid programs. More applications and more information: http://www.fema.gov/assistance/index.shtm.
Unemployment payments up to 26 weeks for workers who temporarily lost jobs because of the disaster and who do not qualify for state benefits, such as self-employed individuals. These benefits are made available to individuals not covered by other unemployment compensation programs, such as self-employed, farmers, migrant and seasonal workers. All unemployed individuals must register with New Jersey’s employment services office before they can receive DUA benefits. New Jersey disaster unemployment benefits site: http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/ui/aftrfile/dua.html.
Low-interest Small Business Administration disaster loans to cover residential losses not fully compensated by insurance. Loans available up to $200,000 for primary residence; $40,000 for personal property, including renter losses. http://www.sba.gov/content/home-and-personal-property-loans.
Small Business Administration Disaster Loans up to $2 million for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes that have suffered disaster-related cash flow problems and need funds for working capital to recover from the disaster’s adverse economic impact. This loan in combination with a property loss loan cannot exceed a total of $2 million. http://www.sba.gov/content/business-physical-disaster-loans.
U.S. Department of Agriculture loans up to $500,000 for farmers, ranchers and aquaculture operators to cover production and property losses, excluding primary residence. Applications for emergency loans must be received within 8 months of the county’s disaster or quarantine designation date. Program information available at: http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&subject=fmlp&topic=efl. To find the Nearest USDA service center: http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=us&agency=fsa.
Other programs: Crisis counseling for those traumatized by the disaster; income tax assistance for filing casualty losses; advisory assistance for legal, veterans benefits and social security matters. http://www.fema.gov/additional-assistance#1
There is a wealth of resources about New Jersey’s programs for disaster survivors. http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/lwdhome/content/SandyHelpCenter.html.
For a summary of specific programs for which applications may be submitted on line: http://www.disasterassistance.gov/disaster-assistance/browse-by-category/category/D05.

How to Apply for Assistance:

To begin the disaster registration process, residents and business owners in all 21 New Jersey counties can register 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.

The toll-free telephone numbers are available 24 hours per day, 7 days a weekly until further notice.

Before registering, applicants should gather the following basic information to speed up the process:

Social Security number;
Telephone number where he or she can be reached;
Address of the damaged property;
Current address;
Brief description of disaster-related damages and losses;
Insurance information; and
Bank account information. (Because many residents are relocating, mailed checks may not reach them FEMA strongly encourages applicants to provide account and routing numbers to enable direct deposit of assistance funds.)

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.

Read article here –

FEMA Online Help Digest

Make Sure All Your Friends and Neighbors Contact FEMA for Assistance

WINDSOR, Conn. – FEMA grants are helping thousands of Connecticut families recover from Hurricane Sandy, but you might have neighbors, friends or family members who have not registered for disaster assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Common misconceptions about registration may have discouraged them from registering.

“The important thing to tell all your friends and neighbors throughout the community is to register,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Albert Lewis. “That one step may unlock grants, low-interest loans, disaster unemployment assistance, and other state or federal aid. And registering is as easy as using a computer or smartphone, or calling a phone number, whether accessing us through an 800 number, through TTY, or our accessible website.”

Your neighbors might say they have not registered with FEMA because they have insurance.

Explain they may be eligible for help with uninsured or underinsured losses, and sometimes damage is found insurance won’t cover but federal disaster assistance may. But your neighbor must register with FEMA to get the help.

If your friend is still waiting for a visit from an insurance adjuster or for an insurance settlement, tell them to go ahead and register with FEMA before the registration deadline because the settlement might come after the deadline has passed.

Friends or neighbors should go ahead with necessary repairs to make their house livable and be sure to keep papers and receipts for all work.

Some friends, neighbors or family members believe they make too much money to apply for assistance.

Most federal and state disaster assistance programs are available to individuals of all income levels. The types of help provided depend on each applicant’s unique circumstances and unmet needs. The aid is to help individuals and communities come back as quickly as possible from a disaster.

Sometimes folks think they do not have enough damage to their homes to apply for assistance.

The damage caused by storms and the costs associated with repairs or rebuilding may not be apparent for some time. By registering with FEMA now, you may be eligible for assistance if you find damage later.

Assure friends, neighbors or family members that FEMA disaster assistance will not interfere with federal assistance they are already receiving.

Disaster assistance grants are not taxable income and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid, medical waiver programs, welfare assistance (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or other state programs), food stamps, Supplemental Security Income, or Social Security Disability Insurance.

People with storm losses should register with FEMA online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, with a smartphone or device at m.fema.gov. Applicants can also register by phone by calling FEMA at: 800-621-3362. If you use TTY, call 800-462-7585.

Survivors who have questions about their registration may call the FEMA helpline at the numbers listed above or go to a Disaster Recovery Center for assistance.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private nonprofit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and covers the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

For accessibility: The recommended font type is sans serif 12 point for regular print and sans serif 18 point when specifically printed for people with vision impairments.

See the original article here:

Make Sure All Your Friends and Neighbors Contact FEMA for Assistance

Less Than 6 Months Before Flood Maps are Effective in St. Helena Parish

DENTON, Texas – In less than six months, on April 2, 2013, new flood maps for St. Helena Parish, La., will

become effective. Before the maps are final, state, local and federal officials are encouraging everyone to view

the maps to understand their flood risk and consider purchasing flood insurance.

Most property insurance policies do not cover the effects of a flood. Floods can place people at risk of uninsured

loss to their businesses, homes and personal property if they don’t have either a private flood insurance policy or

coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), a voluntary protection program administered by

the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Flooding is the predominant natural disaster in the United States and only flood insurance covers these

unexpected, damaging and sometimes fatal events. “Where there is rain, there could be flooding,” said FEMA

Region 6 Acting Administrator Tony Robinson. “Everyone lives in a flood zone.”

To learn if your community participates in the NFIP and to review the new flood maps, please contact your local

floodplain administrator (FPA) who may be located in the St. Helena Parish Offices or in your City Hall.

FEMA Map specialists and Flood Insurance experts also are available to answer questions. They can be reached

by phone and online chat:

• To contact a FEMA Map Specialist, call 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627) or send an email to

FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com
• To use the live chat service, visit http://go.usa.gov/r6C. Click on the “Live Chat” icon.
• For more information on estimated rates for flood insurance, flood facts and to locate an agent in your

area, visit www.FloodSmart.gov or call 1-888-379-9531.

FEMA encourages communities not currently participating in the NFIP to look at the benefits of joining the

program. Participation in the NFIP can assure a faster recovery in the event of a devastating flood.

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 http://twitter.com/#!/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

Link:

Less Than 6 Months Before Flood Maps are Effective in St. Helena Parish

New Flood Maps Show Current Risks in Santa Fe County, New Mexico

DENTON, Texas – Santa Fe County, New Mexico, homeowners, business and residential renters and business

owners who do not have flood insurance are encouraged to buy coverage now to get the best possible premiums

before new flood insurance rate maps go into effect.

The new Santa Fe County flood maps become effective on Tuesday, Dec. 4, giving those who haven’t purchased

flood insurance yet, time to get the best possible premiums to protect their property from potential flooding.

“While many people are required by mortgage and lending companies to have flood insurance, FEMA and the

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) strongly recommend that everyone have flood insurance,” said Acting

Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “The reason is simple: You don’t have to be in a mapped floodplain to

flood.”

Current policy holders and those planning to purchase NFIP protection are strongly encouraged to contact their

insurance agent or company to ensure that they have adequate coverage for building and contents that accounts

for new flood risk data.

Those who purchase flood insurance prior to Dec. 4 may be able to grandfather the current flood zone, saving

money on flood insurance. For more information on estimated rates for flood insurance, whether you are eligible

for grandfathering and the Preferred Risk Policy extension, or to locate an agent in your area, visit

www.floodsmart.gov.

Anyone who hasn’t had a chance to participate in local flood insurance meetings or to review the new flood maps

is encouraged to contact their floodplain administrator who is most likely located at the County or City Offices.

• To view the preliminary maps online visit http://maps.riskmap6.com/NM/SantaFe/.
• To use the live chat service, visit http://go.usa.gov/r6C. Click on the “Live Chat” icon.
• To contact a FEMA Map Specialist, call 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627) or send an email to

FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.

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.

Read article here:

New Flood Maps Show Current Risks in Santa Fe County, New Mexico

Flood Insurance Specialists Answering Survivor Questions

BATON ROUGE, La. – Specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are reaching out to Louisiana Hurricane Isaac survivors who have specific questions about their flood insurance claims or about new regulations that may affect how they rebuild.

At recent public meetings in Plaquemines and St. John parishes, FEMA experts in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) addressed some of survivors’ general concerns about insurance and rebuilding. FEMA administers the NFIP, which makes flood insurance policies available through local insurance companies throughout Louisiana.

The NFIP experts are also participating in workshops in Plaquemines Parish to answer the same kinds of questions from policyholders.

Since the public meetings, the NFIP specialists are contacting survivors who submitted specific questions in writing. Based on those conversations, the specialists are researching the policyholder’s claim or concern, and then offering to meet with the person at a Disaster Recovery Center to provide an in-depth response.

“We understand that survivors in hard-hit parishes have some difficult decisions ahead and we want to help them make those decisions based on the best available information,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Gerard M. Stolar of FEMA. “In some cases, it’s just a matter of clarifying what FEMA can or cannot do for them by law.”

For some survivors, the NFIP specialists are simply letting them know why they need to submit a list of the property that was destroyed in the flooding or how their loss is settled. For others, specialists are researching building codes that apply to current flood maps, and the requirements policyholders may have to follow when they rebuild. In other cases, the specialists are offering recommendations to help the survivors make decisions.

“We suggest homeowners use information provided by our insurance specialists to make the best decision when rebuilding their homes,” said Brian Bartley, leader of FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Insurance Task Force. “They should take into consideration the possibility of a higher cost of insurance if they decide to rebuild based on current flood maps, as those maps are set to change.”

Bartley said his team also encourages survivors to stay in touch with their insurance agents and keep the lines of communication open. “The agent will be their adviser once FEMA’s direct role in Hurricane Isaac recovery is complete,” he said.

Any policyholder with questions about flood insurance or concerns about their claims may speak to an NFIP specialist using FEMA’s Hurricane Isaac Flood Insurance Call Center. The toll-free number is 1-866-331-1679. Help is available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday. Additional information is available at www.floodsmart.gov.

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

Flood Insurance Specialists Answering Survivor Questions

Hurricane Isaac Survivors Should Submit Insurance Settlements

CLINTON, Miss. – Hurricane Isaac survivors who registered with FEMA in Mississippi and indicated they had insurance coverage should send in their settlement information for review.

The insurance settlement documents allow FEMA to determine if survivors have uninsured or underinsured losses that may be eligible for federal assistance. Decisions on FEMA assistance are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

To submit insurance documentation, here’s what applicants can do:

Gather insurance documents and any settlement information.
Write the applicant’s name, FEMA registration number and DR-4081-MS on each page.
Send a copy of these documents to FEMA by:
Fax: 800-827-8112
Mail: National Processing Service Center, P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055

Call FEMA with questions at 800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 800-462-7585. Lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and assistance is available in many languages.

View post:

Hurricane Isaac Survivors Should Submit Insurance Settlements

Flood Hazard Information Being Updated for Southeast Coastal Communities

ATLANTA – People living in coastal communities throughout the Southeast will have a more accurate picture of their flood risk as Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and other flood hazard information are being updated in these areas.

Flooding is the most common and costly natural disaster in the U.S., with coastal areas being particularly vulnerable. Nearly 40 percent of the nation’s population lives in coastal communities, so it is important that people know their flood risk and take steps to protect themselves and their property.

Flood risks change over time because of construction, development, environmental changes, shoreline erosion, and other natural or manmade factors. These changes send water flowing in new directions, creating flood risks that did not exist previously — precisely why flood maps are updated periodically.

Throughout the next several years, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Regional Office in Atlanta, along with regional, state and local partners throughout the Southeast, will update the effective FIRMs for coastal areas using more recent data and the latest scientific engineering tools. Click here to see a list of the organizations that will be involved in this effort with FEMA.

To see the progress, visit the FEMA Region IV Coastal Analysis and Mapping website at www.southeastcoastalmaps.com. This site provides information on the status of coastal mapping projects in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, as well as other flood hazard information.

Updated FIRMs for coastal communities in Mississippi, including Hancock, Harrison and Jackson counties, were completed in 2007. Visit the Mississippi webpage for more information.

Community planners and local officials use flood hazard information to improve local planning activities. Builders and developers use the information to make decisions on where to build and how construction can affect flood risk. Insurance agents, insurance companies, real estate agents and lending institutions use the information for insurance rating purposes and to help residents better understand how flood hazards affect their property. Property owners and renters can use flood hazard information to help make better financial decisions about protecting their properties.

Visit site –

Flood Hazard Information Being Updated for Southeast Coastal Communities

Important Information For Louisianians Living In Special Flood Hazard Areas

BATON ROUGE, La. — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is urging owners of homes and other buildings to get appropriate building permits before they begin any construction work on properties damaged by Hurricane Isaac.

This is especially important for structures located in Special Flood Hazard Areas, also known as regulatory floodplains.

Communities that participate in FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) enforce a requirement called the “substantial damage rule.” Properties subject to the rule are those in a regulatory floodplain for which repairs will cost at least 50 percent of the structure’s pre-disaster market value.

For example, if a structure’s market value before the damage was $200,000 and repairs are estimated to cost $120,000, that structure is “substantially damaged.” Land value, which is determined by local officials, is excluded from the determination.

Buildings in regulatory floodplains that are substantially damaged must comply with local floodplain management regulations. Owners who decide to rebuild may need to elevate or retrofit their structures or change them in some other way to comply and to avoid future flood losses. Owners of nonresidential structures have the additional option of making the buildings floodproof.

Owners can obtain specific information about building permits from local officials who enforce the “substantial damage” rule and other requirements.

Floodplain management regulations are designed to mitigate future losses of life and property. FEMA, the state and local communities are working together throughout the areas impacted by Hurricane Isaac to help Louisianians rebuild and recover with safety and security.

Individuals, families and business owners who sustained uninsured and underinsured damages in those parishes can register for assistance at www.disasterassistance.gov, via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362 or TTY 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Read this article:

Important Information For Louisianians Living In Special Flood Hazard Areas

Page 27 of 30 « First ... « 25 26 27 28 29 » ... Last »