Registering with State, Volunteer Agencies Not the Same as FEMA

NORTH LITTLE ROCK – Many Arkansas residents who suffered damage during the severe storms in late spring may have registered for assistance with state or volunteer agencies. This is not the same as registering with FEMA for disaster aid.

While FEMA, the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management and volunteer agencies often work together, their missions, programs and funding are not the same. Residents should register with FEMA for access to federal disaster assistance.

FEMA is funded by congress and administers disaster programs determined by federal officials and requested by the state. Disaster declarations by the State of Arkansas provide some assistance based on state criteria, but that aid is “turned off” when a federal declaration is made to avoid duplicating benefits.

Volunteer agencies that provide individuals and families with immediate necessities and emergency services raise their funds publicly and determine their own programs.

The disaster declaration on June 26, 2015 put in place several sources of federal funding. It is available to residents in nine Arkansas counties affected by the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding during the period of May 7 to June 15, 2015. The counties are Crawford, Garland, Howard, Jefferson, Little River, Miller, Perry, Sebastian, and Sevier.

Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in those counties can apply for federal assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621- 3362 (FEMA) or by web-enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov. 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 will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice. Mulitilingual operators are available.

Excerpt from:

Registering with State, Volunteer Agencies Not the Same as FEMA

Free Advice on Preventing Damage from Future Storms Offered at Home Improvement Stores in Harris County, Texas

AUSTIN, Texas – As Texans rebuild or repair their homes resulting from the storms during May 4 through June 19, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and local home improvement stores have teamed up to provide free information, tips and literature on making homes stronger and safer.

FEMA specialists will be on hand in Harris County at in-store information centers to answer questions and offer home improvement tips and proven methods to prevent and lessen damage from future disasters. Most of the information is geared for do-it-yourself work and general contractors.

Also, if you’re thinking of building a storm shelter or safe room, literature is available about the best options. Safe rooms built to FEMA specifications have saved thousands of lives.

Advisors will be available at the following Houston locations 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday and 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, except Wednesday on dates noted:

July 9 – 14
Home Depot
999 N. Loop W.
Houston, TX 77008

July 16 – 21
Home Depot
6810 Gulf Fwy
Houston, TX 77087

July 23 – 28
Lowe’s Home Improvement
4645 Beechnut St.
Houston, TX 77096

July 30 – August 4
Lowe’s Home Improvement
1521 N. Loop W.
Houston, TX 77008

August 6 – 11
Home Depot
8400 Katy Fwy
Houston, TX 77024

August 13 – 18
Lowe’s Home Improvement
1000 Gulfgate Center Mall
Houston, TX 77087

August 20 – 25
Lowe’s Home Improvement
9640 Katy Fwy
Houston, TX 77055

August 27 – September 1
Home Depot
10707 N. Fwy
Houston, TX 77037

Mitigation teams will also have free reference booklets in English and Spanish on protecting your home from flood damage, mold and mildew clean-up. More information about strengthening property can be found at http://www.fema.gov/what-mitigation

Texans who have questions about their flood insurance policies and coverage should contact the National Flood Insurance Program call center at 800-621-3362 between 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (CDT) Monday through Friday. Specialists can help service claims, provide general information regarding policies, and offer technical assistance to aid in recovery.

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 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.

The SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover 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 more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call
800-877-8339.

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

Visit www.fema.gov/texas-disaster-mitigation for publications and reference material on rebuilding and repairing safer and stronger.

Texans in Six More Counties May Now Apply for Federal Disaster Assistance, and Individual Assistance Registration Deadline Extended

AUSTIN, Texas – The federal disaster declaration for Texas has been expanded to provide Individual Assistance to six additional counties as a result of the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding that occurred between May 4 and June 19, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

In addition, FEMA today approved an extension of the deadline to register for assistance in the 42 counties designated for Individual Assistance. The new deadline is August 27, 2015.

The six Texas counties newly designated for Individual Assistance are: Angelina, Erath, Frio, Jim Wells, Montgomery and Trinity.

They join 36 counties already designated for Individual Assistance: Bastrop, Blanco, Bowie, Brazoria, Caldwell, Cherokee, Cooke, Dallas, Denton, Eastland, Ellis, Fannin, Fayette, Fort Bend, Gaines, Grayson, Guadalupe, Harris, Harrison, Hays, Henderson, Hidalgo, Johnson, Liberty, Milam, Montague, Navarro, Nueces, Rusk, Smith, Travis, Walker, Wichita, Williamson, Wise and Van Zandt. Residents in the now 42 designated counties are eligible to apply for state and federal assistance.

Disaster assistance for homeowners and renters may include grants to help pay for rent, temporary housing and home repairs, as well as other serious disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs.

Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available for eligible survivors. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover 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 from other agencies or organizations.

Residents and business owners should apply right away with SBA as part of the overall federal disaster recovery process, and not wait for insurance claims to settle.

Texans who had storm damage should register with FEMA even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but under-insured applicants may be eligible for help after their insurance claims have been settled.

People can apply for FEMA assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call 800-621-3362 toll free from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) daily until further notice. Multilingual operators are available.

Disaster assistance applicants who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY should call 800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call
800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program has a call center to answer Texas policyholders’ flood insurance questions. Specialists can help with servicing claims, providing general information and offering technical assistance to aid in recovery. To speak with a flood insurance specialist, call 800-621-3362 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

For more information on Texas disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4223. You can follow us on Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/femaregion6 or on Facebook at www.facebook.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. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

Visit www.fema.gov/texas-disaster-mitigation for publications and reference material on rebuilding and repairing safer and stronger.

The SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover 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 more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800) 877-8339.

Visit www.fema.gov/texas-disaster-mitigation for publications and reference material on rebuilding and repairing safer and stronger.

See original article here:

Texans in Six More Counties May Now Apply for Federal Disaster Assistance, and Individual Assistance Registration Deadline Extended

FEMA Home Inspectors Help Start Arkansas Recovery from Spring’s Severe Storms

NORTH LITTLE ROCK – Residents and business owners who have registered for disaster assistance with FEMA should expect a housing inspector to verify damage soon after they’ve applied.

Identifying damage helps determine both the amount and the types of assistance FEMA or other state and federal agencies may provide. There is no fee for the inspection. The inspector does not determine the amount of assistance an applicant will receive.

The inspector is required to carry identification that includes his or her photo and ID number. When the inspector comes to your home, ask to see the identification.

Residents of Crawford, Garland, Howard, Jefferson, Little River, Miller, Perry, Sebastian, and Sevier

counties may be eligible for assistance following the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding during the period of May 7 to June 15, 2015.

Being ready when the inspector visits can help speed assistance.

If you’ve registered with FEMA for disaster assistance, here’s what to expect: A FEMA inspector will contact you to schedule an appointment to inspect your damaged home. If you have a disability and require an accommodation when the inspector arrives, please call 870-451-9241 during regular business hours.

Provide the inspector with clear, accurate directions to the damaged property. Post office boxes do not show locations.

Be prepared to provide written proof of ownership or rental occupancy, such as a tax receipt, deed, mortgage payment book, rental agreement, or home insurance policy with the damaged property’s address. Having the necessary documentation will help speed up the inspection process.

The inspector will not ask you for your Social Security number, your bank account or credit card account numbers or for medical information. If someone claiming to be with FEMA asks you to provide such information, call your local law enforcement immediately.

Whether you are an owner or a renter, you must show that the damaged property was your primary residence at the time of the disaster. Inspectors will accept a valid driver’s license or current utility bill (such as an electric, gas or water bill) as proof you live there.

The inspection is free. It usually takes between 45 minutes and an hour, and consists of measuring the real property, inspecting its contents, and recording the findings.

Using a handheld electronic device, the inspector creates a digital “model” of the damaged home and uses it to indicate where damage occurred. The device — called an inspector’s pad —transmits information electronically to FEMA. This speeds up the process of providing assistance.

The inspector will ask to see damage to both real property and personal property in all areas of your home. This is to inventory both the type and extent of loss. For example, not all disaster damage results in a complete loss. The inspector’s report will show which items are total losses; which items can be repaired; and those that are not affected. FEMA will not replace damaged items that can be repaired with new items.

Typically, in 10 days or less after the inspector’s visit, you will receive a letter from FEMA containing a decision.

Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated area can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or by web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov. 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 will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

Taken from:

FEMA Home Inspectors Help Start Arkansas Recovery from Spring’s Severe Storms

State/FEMA Recovery Center Reopens in Le Flore County

OKLAHOMA CITY – A Mobile Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) will reopen in Le Flore County to help people in Oklahoma who were affected by the severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding and tornadoes occurring May 5 through June 4.

The Mobile DRC officially opens Friday, July 10, 2015 at 7 a.m. at:

Poteau High School

100 Pirate Lane

Poteau, OK 74953

Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday through Monday; 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday

(The Mobile DRC closes on Monday, July 13 at 7 p.m.)

DRCs are one-stop shops where survivors can get information and guidance about what disaster assistance may be available. Information from the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Small Business Administration and other federal agencies and volunteer organizations is available at recovery centers.

Survivors can apply for state and federal assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 800-621-3362 to register. Hours: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Central Standard Time), Sunday to Saturday.

Individuals with disabilities and others with access and functional needs who require help registering, can contact FEMA using any of the above methods.

For more information on Oklahoma disaster recovery, click http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4222 or visit OEM at www.oem.ok.gov.

###

The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) prepares for, responds to, recovers from and mitigates against emergencies and disasters. The department delivers services 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.

The SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners, and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover 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 more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800) 877-8339.

See more here:

State/FEMA Recovery Center Reopens in Le Flore County

Disaster Recovery Center to Close in Fort Bend County, Texas, But Help is Still Available

AUSTIN, Texas –The Disaster Recovery Center (DRC), located at Rosenberg Annex, 4520 Reading Road, Rosenberg, Texas, in Fort Bend County will close at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 14.

DRCs, operated by the State of Texas and the Federal Emergency Management Agency and supported by other agencies, remain open until the needs of area residents have been met. The centers serve as a one-stop shop for information and guidance about disaster assistance.

Those with questions regarding the application or the appeals process, or who decide to register for assistance after a DRC closes, have several ways to obtain information:

Visit another DRC nearby, visit http://asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm.
Online at www.disasterassistance.gov.
Call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. People who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) can call 800-621-3362. Multilingual operators are available.
Visit the Texas Disaster Recovery website www.fema.gov/disaster/4223.
Contact U.S. Small Business Administration’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800) 877-8339.

The deadline for registering with FEMA and applying for an SBA loan is July 28.

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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 SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover 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 more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800) 877-8339.

Visit www.fema.gov/texas-disaster-mitigation for publications and reference material on rebuilding and repairing safer and stronger.

This article:

Disaster Recovery Center to Close in Fort Bend County, Texas, But Help is Still Available

Disaster Assistance for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are ready to assist everyone, including seniors, persons with disabilities and others with an access and functional need before, during and after a disaster.

Oklahoma seniors and those with disabilities are eligible to receive the same services and assistance offered to anyone in the declared disaster areas. However, the means to register for and receive assistance may be different for someone with a disability. That person may require accommodations such as a sign language interpreter or information in alternate formats.

Anyone who experienced losses or damages as a result of Oklahoma’s severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding and tornadoes of May 5 through June 4 has several ways to register for disaster assistance.

They can apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by smart phone or tablet at m.fema.gov, or by telephone at 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. If they use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services, they should call 800-621-3362. Operators are multilingual and calls are answered seven days a week 24 hours a day. Or they can visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC).

Some frequently asked questions include:

Will disaster assistance change my benefits?

If you receive Social Security benefits, you will not lose your benefits and they will not be changed or cut if you receive disaster aid from the state or FEMA.
If you receive Medicaid, food stamps, or Aid to Families with Dependent Children, you will not lose your benefits and they will not be cut if you receive disaster aid from the state or FEMA.
A FEMA grant does not add to an applicant’s taxable income.

What are the available accommodations?

For those who are deaf or hard of hearing, DRCs offer several communication methods, from captioned phones to iPads with video remote interpreting access to sign language interpreters. On-site interpreters are also available upon request.
For persons who are blind or have low vision, documents are available in large print and Braille.
For persons who use a mobility device, DRCs have accessible parking, ramps and accessible restrooms.
Remember: If you need an accommodation, just ask.

How will I know what I am eligible for?

Those who live in one of the 33 Oklahoma counties approved for federal Individual Assistance as a result of the storms that occurred May 5 through June 4 may be eligible for disaster assistance.
The only way to know if you are eligible – and what you are eligible for – is to apply. The application deadline for this disaster is July 27.
Anyone with a disability or any access or functional need who requires help registering should not hesitate to contact FEMA.

###

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.

Visit site:

Disaster Assistance for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities

Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams Visit Arkansas Communities

July 8, 2015

DR-4226-AR

FEMA News Desk: 501-399-4075

State Public Affairs: 501-683-6700

publicaffairs@ADEM.arkansas.gov

SBA: William Koontz 916-847-2346

Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams Visit Arkansas Communities

NORTH LITTLE ROCK – The residents of nine Arkansas counties included in a federal disaster declaration may see FEMA’s Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams in their communities, offering a personal link to the resources for recovery.

Using the latest mobile technology, DSA team members are there to help survivors register for disaster assistance; provide up-to-date information on applications; help determine ongoing needs; and make referrals to help fill any outstanding needs.

The DSA teams are there in partnership with the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management and local officials from the communities they visit. DSA team members carry FEMA photo IDs. If the photo ID is not displayed, ask to see it. This helps prevent fraud.

The DSA teams may request the following information:

• A phone number where you can be reached;

• Your social security number;

• Your current mailing address;

• The address of the affected property;

• A brief description of the damages; and

• Insurance information including your policy number.

DSA teams will visit Crawford, Garland, Howard, Jefferson, Little River, Miller, Perry, Sebastian and Sevier counties. Residents in those counties who suffered damage as a result of the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding during the period of May 7 to June 15, 2015 may be eligible for disaster assistance.

Registering for assistance with FEMA is an important first step toward recovering. Registration is available online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621- 3362 (FEMA) or by web-enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov.

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 will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

Reasonable accomodations, including assistive technologies, may be available by calling the 800 number, or by making a request with a DSA team member.

Disaster assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Source:

Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams Visit Arkansas Communities

Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Liberty County for Texas Flood Survivors

AUSTIN, Texas – A State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is now open in Liberty County for homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained damage as a result of the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding from May 4 to June 19.

Specialists from the State of Texas, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), nongovernmental organizations and the local community are on hand to answer questions and provide information on the types of assistance available to survivors. Services are provided in English and Spanish.

The recovery center serves survivors from any of the 36 counties designated for Individual Assistance who need one-on-one help. State and federal professionals will be available to assist eligible survivors get help as quickly as possible.

Location and hours of operation

Liberty County Community Center
318 San Jacinto St.
Liberty, TX 77575
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, closed Sunday
The DRC will cease operations at 6 p.m. on Friday, July 17

People who had storm damage can register for FEMA assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call 800-621-3362 toll free from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily until further notice. Multilingual operators are available.

Disaster assistance applicants who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY should call 800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

Visiting with a recovery specialist is not a requirement for survivors who want disaster assistance, but the centers are an excellent way for people to get answers to their questions about disaster aid and help applying for it. Some of the services may include:

Guidance regarding disaster recovery
Clarification of any written correspondence received
Housing Assistance and Rental Resources information
Answers to questions, resolutions to problems and referrals to agencies that may provide further assistance
Status of applications being processed by FEMA

Assistance for eligible survivors can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, and for other serious disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs. Low-interest disaster loans from SBA may be available to cover losses not fully

compensated by insurance or other resources and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

Eligible survivors should register with FEMA even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but under-insured applicants may receive help after their insurance claims have been settled.

For more information on Texas recovery, visit the disaster web page at www.fema.gov/disaster/4223. Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem.

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Visit www.fema.gov/texas-disaster-mitigation for publications and reference material on rebuilding and repairing safer and stronger.

Link:

Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Liberty County for Texas Flood Survivors

Determining Eligibility for Disaster Assistance May Require More Information

OKLAHOMA CITY – Determining eligibility for grants from the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) may be as easy as registering for assistance, but sometimes more information is needed before the process can be completed.

Disaster survivors may receive a letter stating they’re ineligible. But that may not mean they won’t receive assistance. Read the letter carefully. It could mean more information is required to make a determination.

There are several common reasons for receiving a letter of ineligibility. The most common reason is not enough information has been provided.

Other reasons may be:

Missing documentation is needed to complete the evaluation process.
There is insufficient storm-related damage, or
Insurance coverage adequately covered storm-related losses.

While it is not mandatory to qualify for assistance, one way to expedite the process of determining eligibility is to visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). Survivors can take any missing documents into the nearest DRC and have questions answered face-to-face with FEMA specialists.

There have been 3,184 visitors to DRCs in Oklahoma since the severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding of May 5 through June 4. To find the recovery center nearest you visit http://asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm, or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. DRCs are one-stop shops where survivors can get information and guidance on the disaster assistance that may be available. Other options include visiting online www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov.

For more information on Oklahoma disaster recovery, click http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4222 or visit OEM at www.oem.ok.gov.

###

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.

The SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners, and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover 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 more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800) 877-8339.

Source:

Determining Eligibility for Disaster Assistance May Require More Information

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