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Two weeks remain to register with FEMA

NEW YORK – Survivors of Hurricane Sandy have two weeks to register for possible disaster assistance and to return applications for low-interest disaster loans to the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The deadline for both is March 29.

FEMA urges everyone who sustained losses from Hurricane Sandy to register, including those who have insurance. Insurance may not cover all losses.

The 13 designated counties are: Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester.

FEMA disaster assistance for individuals and families can include money for rental assistance, essential home repairs, personal property and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

There are several ways to register:

Online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
Via smartphone or tablet, go to m.fema.gov or download the FEMA app.
By phone, 800-621-3362 (Voice, 7-1-1/Relay) or (TTY) 800-462-7585.
The toll-free telephone numbers operate 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EDT seven days a week until further notice.

Survivors who receive a low-interest disaster loan application from SBA after registering with FEMA should complete and return the application even if they do not plan to accept a loan. By completing the application, applicants may become eligible for additional grants from FEMA. By not completing and returning the applications, survivors could potentially be leaving recovery assistance money on the table.

A simple and fast way to complete a disaster loan application is online, using the SBA’s electronic loan application. Go to https://DisasterLoan.SBA.gov/ELA. Applicants can receive an update on the status of their application by calling 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339).

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

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

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Two weeks remain to register with FEMA

Jefferson Davis County Designated for Disaster Assistance

PURVIS, Miss. – Jefferson Davis County has been designated for disaster assistance to households

and businesses as part of Mississippi’s federal disaster declaration, according to officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Counties previously designated are Forrest, Lamar, Marion and Wayne.

The first step in receiving assistance is to register, which is a simple process. There are several ways:

Online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by mobile device at m.fema.gov any time day or night.

By phone or video relay at 800-621-FEMA (3362) daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time. Help is available in many languages.
By TTY at 800-462-7585.
C-Spire Wireless customers can register by calling #362.

Homeowners and renters can register for federal disaster assistance that may help pay for:

Temporary housing.
Home repairs.
Other serious disaster-related expenses not met by insurance or other assistance programs.
Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration that may cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.

People in Jefferson Davis County who have already registered for federal disaster assistance do not need to do so again. If they have any questions about their applications for disaster assistance, they should call 800-621-3362.

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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Jefferson Davis County Designated for Disaster Assistance

FEMA Distributes $1.8 Million To Support Mississippi Recovery

PURVIS, Miss. – More than $1.8 million in federal disaster assistance is in the hands of survivors of the recent storms, tornadoes and flooding in Mississippi. This includes more than $1.3 million for housing assistance and $489,523 for other needs.

While there is still much work to be done, this money contributes significantly to the recovery effort from the recent disaster.

Here are some numbers at a glance as of midnight 2/26/13:

2,404 Mississippians have registered for assistance at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585) or through the online application site at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or on their smartphone at m.fema.gov.
988 Mississippians have visited the five Disaster Recovery Centers for information and help about the disaster recovery process. The centers are open in Forrest, Lamar, Marion and Wayne counties.
1,405 home inspections have been completed by the 10 FEMA-contracted inspectors in the field—a 93-percent completion rate.
1,218 disaster-loan applications have been issued by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The SBA has staff members at every FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Center in Mississippi to provide one-on-one help to those seeking disaster assistance.
FEMA is working with state and other eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations in Forrest, Lamar, Marion and Wayne counties to identify and reimburse 75 percent of disaster-related costs associated of emergency protective measures, debris removal, and the repair and restoration of damaged infrastructure.

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FEMA Distributes $1.8 Million To Support Mississippi Recovery

Mississippians: Tips to Speed Up Your Disaster Assistance

PEARL, Miss. — Mississippi residents and businesses recovering from the recent storms and tornadoes can help speed the process of obtaining federal assistance by starting as soon as possible and following some simple steps.

FEMA can’t help if you don’t apply. Registration is simple and can be done:

Online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov any time day or night.

By phone or video relay at 800-621-FEMA (3362) daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time. Help is available in many languages.
By TTY at 800-462-7585.
C-Spire Wireless customers can register by calling #362.
By web-enabled mobile devices at m.fema.gov.
Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-interest loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

After registration: It’s about follow-up

Keep critical appointments. A FEMA-contracted inspector will make an appointment to visit your damaged home. Make every effort to be at home, or authorize someone 18 or older who lived in the residence at the time of the disaster to stand in during the inspection.
Stay in touch with FEMA at 800-621-FEMA (3362) to change an appointment, to update an address or telephone number or to provide additional information.
Visit a Disaster Recovery Center: Get face-to-face-guidance and answers to questions at recovery centers. Five are open in four counties in Mississippi from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily until further notice:

Ben McNair Recreation Center, 300 North 12th Ave., Hattiesburg, 39401

Petal Civic Center, 712 S. Main St., Petal, 39465

Lamar Park, 226 Pinewood Drive, Hattiesburg, 39402

Mount Carmel Church of God, 573 Mount Carmel Church Rd., Foxworth 39483

Waynesboro Fire Station, 710 Wayne St., Waynesboro, 39367

Return forms promptly. After registering, survivors may receive a U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loan application package in the mail. Fill out and return these forms promptly. You don’t have to accept a loan but this application may open new doors of assistance. SBA representatives at Disaster Recovery Centers will assist in completing your home or business disaster loan application as well as answer any of your questions.
Read all FEMA letters and documents. Applicants deemed eligible for disaster assistance will receive a letter from FEMA providing guidance on their disaster relief grant. It will explain ways the money can be spent for recovery and explain that federal assistance may have to be repaid if it is duplicated by insurance or other assistance received.

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Mississippians: Tips to Speed Up Your Disaster Assistance

Disaster Recovery Center Opens In Petal

PEARL, Miss. – A new Disaster Recovery Center is open in Petal, giving disaster survivors in Forrest, Lamar, Marion and Wayne counties a third location for meeting face-to-face with recovery specialists. The center is located at:

Petal Civic Center (Forrest County)

714 South Main St.

Petal, MS 39465

Disaster survivors can also visit Disaster Recovery Centers in two other locations:

Ben McNair Recreation Center (Forrest County)
300 North 12^th Ave.
Hattiesburg, MS 39401

Lamar Park (Lamar County)

226 Pinewood Drive

Hattiesburg, MS 39402

All three centers are open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Disaster Recovery Centers are staffed with recovery professionals from the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration who can provide information and answer questions about disaster-related assistance.

In addition to state and federal disaster assistance experts, residents can meet with representatives from voluntary and faith-based groups to help with any additional unmet needs in the Disaster Recovery Centers.

The first step to receiving federal disaster aid is to register with FEMA. Registration is simple and can be completed several ways:

Online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov any time day or night.
By phone or video relay at 800-621-FEMA (3362) daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time. Help is available in many languages.
By TTY at 800-462-7585.
C-Spire Wireless customers can register by calling #362.
By web-enabled mobile devices at m.fema.gov. Select “Disaster Survivor” then “Apply Online for FEMA Assistance.”

Those 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, call 800-621-3362.

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.

Survivors are encouraged to register before visiting a center if possible. Specialists at the center can explain the disaster assistance process, describe the types of help available, and answer survivors’ questions.

The presidential disaster declaration makes funds available to individuals and families in Forrest, Lamar, Marion and Wayne counties who were affected by the Feb. 10 storms and tornadoes. Funds are also available to the state of Mississippi to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the affected areas.

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Disaster Recovery Center Opens In Petal

Sandy Survivors: Ask Questions About Letters From Fema

Trenton, N.J. — Survivors who received letters from the Federal Emergency Management Agency after contacting FEMA for assistance should ask for help if they have questions.

FEMA sends every applicant a letter explaining the status of their application.

Sometimes a letter from FEMA indicates a status of ineligibility. This may simply mean that more information or documents are needed to better help FEMA process your application. Eligibility statuses can change when new information is provided. Survivors may need to:

Provide records that showed the damaged property was the primary residence at the time of the disaster.
Give their insurance or other documentation to FEMA.
Provide proof of ownership or residence.
Return the Small Business Administration disaster loan application.
Sign all essential documents.

FEMA cannot duplicate any aid that may have come from other government sources or insurance.

Answers to questions about the letter can be found by:

Visiting a Disaster Recovery Center. To find a center near you, use the online locator at www.fema.gov/drc. You may also text DRC and a ZIP code to 43362 (4FEMA) For example, if you lived in Atlantic City, you would text: DRC 08401.
Calling the FEMA Helpline by phone or 711/VRS at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 1-800-7585.
Reviewing the “Help After Disaster” guide mailed to each applicant. The information also is available online in many languages at http://www.fema.gov/help-after-disaster

Don’t be discouraged: read the letter, ask questions, and ask for help.

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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Sandy Survivors: Ask Questions About Letters From Fema

Stay in Touch with FEMA and Make Sure Your Contact Information is Up-to-Date

WINDSOR, Conn. – Hurricane Sandy survivors who have already registered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency are urged to keep in touch with the agency, especially if they have been displaced by the disaster.

Survivors who have registered for assistance should keep their contact information current to ensure timely delivery of important assistance updates.

Keeping one’s contact information current with FEMA will also help connect survivors with FEMA’s home inspectors. Unnecessary delays may occur if an inspector is unable to reach an applicant by phone to schedule an appointment. Applicants are also urged to keep their appointments with home inspectors in order to avoid delays.

Applicants who need to update their contact information or who have questions regarding their application can visit a Disaster Recovery Center for in-person help or call the toll-free FEMA helpline, 1-800-621-3362, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Help is available in most languages.

Storm survivors who have not registered yet are urged to do so immediately online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or with any web-enabled mobile device, tablet or smartphone at m.fema.gov. Follow the link to “Apply Online for FEMA Assistance.”

By calling the helpline or visiting a Disaster Recovery Center, survivors can:

Update their file with a change of address or new phone number.
Ask questions about disaster assistance.
Track the progress of their FEMA application.
Get information about the inspection process.
Learn about the steps to appeal a FEMA decision.

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.

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Stay in Touch with FEMA and Make Sure Your Contact Information is Up-to-Date

Beware of Scams After Hurricane Sandy

TRENTON, N.J. — Disaster recovery officials caution New Jersey residents to be on the alert for scam artists using old and new tricks to obtain vital information or take advantage of storm-weary survivors.

Be aware of the following scams used by con artists after a disaster:

Identity Theft

People may pretend to be employed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or other government agencies, such as the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) or public utilities. By going door-to-door to storm-damaged homes, or by phone or on the internet, con artists may try to obtain personal information such as Social Security and bank account numbers.

Remember:

A FEMA or SBA shirt or jacket is not absolute proof of someone’s affiliation with these agencies. All authorized FEMA or SBA personnel display a laminated photo identification card, which they are required to wear at all times;

FEMA will request personal information only when the applicant first contacts FEMA. Survivors of Hurricane Sandy can register with FEMA in any of the following ways:

Online any time at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by web-enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov
By phone at 800-621-FEMA (3362) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
By 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS) at 800-621-3361 or (TTY) 800-462-758.

On any follow-up calls, a FEMA representative would ask only for the last four digits of the applicant’s social security number.

False Payment or Bribe

Imposters may ask for some form of service payment, or bribe – something no FEMA, SBA or federal agency employee should ever do. FEMA-contracted housing inspectors assess damage but do not determine cost estimates. FEMA does not hire or endorse specific contractors to fix homes or recommend repairs.

Con artists may pose as insurance specialists or expeditors, claiming they can convince FEMA to increase home repair damage aid or the insurer to pay a larger settlement. The scammers ask the applicant or policyholder to sign a contract giving them a percentage of the “increased” payment. The essence of the con is to take a percentage of the damage grant or policy settlement that would be given anyway. FEMA always deals directly with each applicant and is always willing to consider an appeal by sending a new inspector to review damaged property or claimed losses.

Home Repair Scams

Unregistered home improvement contractors may take the disaster survivor’s money and disappear, leaving unfinished work and unsafe homes. Before hiring a contractor, the survivor should check with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs at 800-242-5846 to make sure the contractor is registered, as well as ask for a copy of the contractor’s liability insurance and verify the policy is valid. All contracts should be in writing, and reviewed before being signed. Full payment should not be made until the work is completed.

The local police department should be notified of suspected fraud.

Price Gouging

Excessive price increases are illegal. Check with the New Jersey Consumer Affairs office at www.NJConsumerAffairs.gov or call 800-242-5846 if you suspect the prices are too high.

Charity Scams

Before donating, people should investigate to be sure the organization asking for donations is registered to solicit in New Jersey and ask how the money will be used.

For other questions, New Jersey residents can contact the New Jersey Consumer Affairs office at www.NJConsumerAffairs.gov or by calling 800-242-5846.

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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Beware of Scams After Hurricane Sandy

One Month After Isaac Mississippi Recovery Continues

CLINTON, Miss. – In the month after Hurricane Isaac, Mississippians have received more than
$16.2 million in federal disaster assistance to help homeowners, renters and businesses recover.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and Federal Emergency Management Agency provide the following snapshot of disaster recovery efforts as of Sept. 30:

More than 7,800 households have received FEMA grants that assist with housing, rental assistance and personal property loss due to the storm.
Nearly $10.9 million has been approved for housing grants, including short-term rental assistance, home repair and replacement costs.
More than $1.9 million has been approved to cover other essential disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses and lost personal possessions.
Nearly $3.5 million in low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration to assist homeowners, renters and businesses with the cost of repairing or replacing lost or damaged structures and personal property.
Nearly 23,500 survivors in designated counties have contacted FEMA for help or information regarding disaster assistance from FEMA, the state and volunteer agencies.
More than 17,700 home inspections have been completed.
More than 8,400 people have visited 16 disaster recovery centers.

Applications must be received by Wednesday, Oct. 31 to be considered for disaster assistance from FEMA and the SBA.

People can register with FEMA in any of the following methods:

Online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
By tablet or smartphone, use the FEMA app or go to m.fema.gov.
By phone, call 800-621-FEMA (3362) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Assistance is available in most languages. People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (TTY) 800-462-7585.

Homeowners, renters and businesses may go to disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/ to apply. For more information contact SBA’s Disaster Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339), or send an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

Those who receive a disaster loan application from the SBA are urged to fill it out as soon as possible or complete the application online. It does not obligate you to accept the loan, but if you’re a homeowner or renter and turned down you may be referred back to FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance program for grant consideration.

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One Month After Isaac Mississippi Recovery Continues

$11.6 Million Approved In Disaster Assistance For Hurricane Isaac

CLINTON, Miss. – Approximately $11.6 million in state and federal aid has been approved to help those affected by Hurricane Isaac following Mississippi’s presidential disaster declaration.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and Federal Emergency Management Agency provide the following snapshot of the disaster recovery effort as of Sept. 24:

Approximately 5,000 households have received FEMA grants that assist with housing and personal property loss.
Approximately $9.9 million has been approved for housing grants, including short-term rental assistance, home repair and replacement costs.
Approximately $1.7 million has been approved to cover other essential disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses and lost personal possessions.
Approximately 16,000 home inspections have been completed.
There have been approximately 6,800 visits to 16 disaster recovery centers by people affected by the disaster.

Approximately 21,500 survivors in declared counties have contacted FEMA for help or information regarding disaster assistance. Many people are seeking housing assistance from FEMA because their primary home is unlivable or inaccessible.

For survivors who have needs not met by federal assistance, the FEMA helpline (800-621-3362) serves as a good source of information referring survivors to state and local organizations and partner agencies such as the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Survivors also can call 2-1-1 to be connected to volunteer or faith-based organizations that may be able to help them with resources and needs.

People can register with FEMA in any of the following methods:

Online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
By tablet or smartphone, use the FEMA app or go to m.fema.gov.
By phone, call 800-621-FEMA (3362) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Assistance is available in most languages. People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (TTY) 800-462-7585.

Businesses that need help may contact the SBA directly at the SBA Disaster Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339), send an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or go to https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/ to apply.

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$11.6 Million Approved In Disaster Assistance For Hurricane Isaac

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