PENSACOLA, Fla. – Senior citizens in Escambia, Jackson, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties who sustained losses during the recent severe storms and flooding need not worry that applying for federal and state disaster aid will cause them to sacrifice their Social Security benefits, pay more taxes or give up income-based benefits.

A grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency does not add to a senior’s taxable income as long as the grant is to help recover from the recent disaster.

“Severe weather can affect everyone,” said FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer Gracia Szczech, the federal official in charge of disaster recovery in Florida. “We do not want our seniors to be reluctant to apply for disaster aid. Not doing so could cause eligible citizens to miss out on much-needed assistance.”

A few questions that typically arise following a disaster declaration are:

FEMA Grants

Question:  I’m between 62 and 65 years of age, and have chosen to receive Social Security benefits.  If my income is more than a certain amount each year, I must reimburse a portion of my Social Security payment.  Will FEMA grants add to my income and require me to repay Social Security?

Answer:  No.  FEMA grants for housing and other disaster assistance are not counted as income.

Taxes

Question:  I’m over 65, but if I earn more than a certain amount, I must pay tax on my Social Security income.  Will FEMA grants boost my income and require me to pay tax on my Social Security income?

Answer:  No.  The IRS does not count FEMA grants for housing and other disaster assistance as income.

Other Assistance

Question:  Will receiving a grant cause my income to increase to the point that I am no longer eligible for Medicaid, welfare assistance or food stamps?

Answer:  No.  Grants for housing and other disaster assistance are not counted as income in determining eligibility for income-tested benefit programs that the U.S. government funds.

For more information, visit the Social Security website at www.socialsecurity.gov or call, toll-free, 800-772-1213 (for the deaf or hard of hearing, call TTY 800-325-0778). Operators are available Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

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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 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.