CNMI provides fifth free fax option for Soudelor survivors

SAIPAN, CNMI –  CNMI is providing a new, fifth free faxing location at The Aging Center in Garapan for Typhoon Soudelor survivors on Saipan who need to get documents to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The updated list currently stands at five and includes the following locations:

Saipan Mayor’s Office

Beach Road, Chalan Laulau

7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays

 

IT&E, TSL Plaza

Beach Road, Garapan

8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays

 

IT&E Customer Service

Middle Road, Chalan Laulau

8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays

 

Joeten – Kiyu Public Library

Beach Road, Susupe

10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Tues-Fri; 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Saturdays

 

The Aging Center

Sugar King Road, Garapan

7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays

 

FEMA applicants faxing documents will be doing so to a toll-free number, and these locations will not charge them anything to use their fax machines.

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CNMI provides fifth free fax option for Soudelor survivors

FEMA Mitigation updates its Outreach schedule

SAIPAN, CNMI – FEMA Mitigation Outreach specialists are updating their schedule.

They are currently at Do-It-Best Hardware in Chalan Kiya, meeting with customers and providing booklets and pamphlets on how to build back stronger to be safer in the next storm. They are in the store from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays, and will continue there through Friday, Oct. 23.

Starting Saturday, Oct. 24, they will be at Ace Hardware on Middle Road in Gualo Rai during the same hours through Nov. 7. The store is in the Europa Plaza, behind the Pizza Hut and First Hawaiian Bank

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FEMA Mitigation updates its Outreach schedule

Federal aid to Saipan passes $25 million

SAIPAN, CNMI – Federal aid to Typhoon Soudelor survivors on Saipan has passed $25 million.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved just over $20 million in Individual Assistance to households on the island, and the U.S. Small Business Administration has approved nearly $5.9 million in low-interest disaster loans to Saipan homeowners, renters and businesses.

FEMA provides grants while SBA lends money at below-market rates to survivors.

FEMA has approved nearly $14.1 million in Household Assistance (HA) and more than $5.9 million in Other Needs Assistance (ONA). HA provides help such as rental assistance, reimbursement for lodging, and repairs to the damaged home. ONA may provide help, on a case-by-case basis, for miscellaneous personal property needs such as uninsured damage to an essential vehicle, disaster-related moving and storage expenses, and certain medical and dental expenses.

SBA approvals include 70 loans to homeowners and renters totaling nearly $2.3 million and 25 business loans for more than $3.6 million.

Saipan survivors can still register for disaster assistance until Oct. 5. Registering with FEMA starts the process toward both FEMA and SBA help. Survivors can register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-321-3362 (FEMA). Those with speech or hearing disability and use 711 or Video Relay Service can register through the regular 800 number, and those who use TTY can 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.

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Federal aid to Saipan passes $25 million

Survivors who incorrectly received FEMA funds should return them

SAIPAN, CNMI – The Federal Emergency Management Agency wants Soudelor survivors on Saipan to get all available assistance. However, they also want to make sure no one ends up having to return money.

FEMA’s Individual Assistance program provides grants to Saipan survivors. About $20 million has been approved to date.

Mistakes can lead to money being inappropriately paid to people in any disaster.

“When mistakes happen, no matter whether they’re made by the applicant or by FEMA, the law requires that FEMA recover that money,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Stephen M. DeBlasio Sr. “The last thing we want is for anyone to have to deal with that issue.”

Any survivors who received a FEMA grant and are now unsure of their eligibility should contact FEMA at 800-621-3362. People with speech or hearing disability and use 711 or Video Relay Service should call that number, while those who use TTY should 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.

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Survivors who incorrectly received FEMA funds should return them

Four Weeks Left to Apply for Disaster Assistance

Saipan – Only one month remains for Saipan homeowners, renters, and business owners who suffered damages from Typhoon Soudelor to register.  Commonwealth and federal officials are urging anyone who still needs to register to do so before the registration deadline of October 5th.

“The deadline is only a month away and we don’t want anyone with disaster damages to miss this opportunity for assistance,” said Commonwealth Governor Eloy Inos, “Register, get into the FEMA system and let’s find out what you are eligible for.”

Individuals and households on  Saipan can register with FEMA by calling 1-800-621-3362; those 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.

Multilingual interpreters are available at the FEMA registration number, including Chinese, Tagalog, Japanese, and Korean.

Survivors can also apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.  

Survivors should have the following information when they register:

·         Address with zip code

·         Directions to property

·         Condition of your damaged home

·         Insurance information, if available

·         Phone number where you can be contacted

·         Address where you can get mail

·         Social Security Number **If you do not have your SSN card, you can show a Medicare/Medicaid card, W2 form, or filed tax return.

“The October 5 deadline is coming up quickly,” Federal Coordinating Officer Stephen M. DeBlasio Sr., said. “If you know someone who was affected by Typhoon Soudelor, please encourage them to take a few minutes to register with FEMA and learn how we can help them.”

Disaster assistance may include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repair and other serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance or other sources.

US Small Business Administration:

Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to businesses and homeowners to help with the cost of improvements to protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. EIDL assistance is available to businesses regardless of any property damage.

Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

Interest rates can be as low as 4 percent for businesses, 2.625 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 1.875 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

For information about SBA programs, applicants may call 1-800-659-2955 (TTY 1-800-877-8339).

For the latest information on CNMI’s recovery from Typhoon Soudelor, visit FEMA.gov/Disaster/4235

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Four Weeks Left to Apply for Disaster Assistance

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

Major Disaster Declaration for CNMI (FEMA-4235-DR) amended to include the Islands of Saipan and Tinian for Public Assistance Categories C-G.

SAIPAN – On August 18, 2015, the Major Disaster Declaration for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (FEMA-4235-DR) as a result of damages occurred August 1-3 by Typhoon Soudelor, was amended to include the Islands of Saipan and Tinian for Public Assistance [Categories C-G].

Public Assistance (PA) is the assistance for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities. The Islands of Saipan and Tinian are included for Public Assistance Categories C-G, which are as follows: Category C: Roads and Bridges, Category D: Water Control Facilities, Category E: Public Buildings and Equipment, Category F: Utilities, Category G: Parks, Recreational Facilities, and Other Items.

The Islands of Rota, Saipan, and Tinian were also included for debris removal and emergency protective measures (Categories A and B), including direct federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program.           

The Government of CNMI agencies and certain private nonprofit agencies, that may be eligible for federal and commonwealth disaster assistance, must submit Request for Public Assistance (RPA) forms to Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Homeland Security.  The deadline for RPAs for original categories A-B is September 4, 2015.  The deadline for RPAs for categories C-G is September 18, 2015.

The Public Assistance Program provides grants to commonwealth governments and certain private non-profit entities to assist them with the response to and recovery from disasters.

PA funds are available to eligible applicants as part of the federal disaster declaration of August 5, 2015, for the typhoon that occurred August 1-3, 2015 in CNMI.

The primary goal of the Public Assistance program, administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and CNMI, is to provide reimbursement for eligible expenses for emergency response as well as the repair and replacement of damaged public facilities.

Under the PA program, FEMA reimburses successful applicants for 75 percent of their eligible expenses, while the other 25 percent is the non-federal share. The CNMI government pays 75 percent of the non-federal share of eligible costs incurred by the commonwealth agencies and special districts with local agencies picking up the remaining 25 percent.

Commonwealth agencies and certain private nonprofits are responsible for the entire non-federal share. The federal portion is paid directly to the territory, with CNMI being the grantee, which then makes disbursements to sub-grantees, the local jurisdictions and organizations.    

For forms and more information on the PA program, contact CNMI Public Affairs Officer, Ivan Blanco at 670-237-8040.

The RPA form can be submitted via email to: Nerissa Benavente at Nerissa.cip@gmail.com

September 4, 2015 is the deadline to submit RPAs for Categories A-B.  September 17, 2015 is the deadline to submit RPAs for Categories C-G.  

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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Major Disaster Declaration for CNMI (FEMA-4235-DR) amended to include the Islands of Saipan and Tinian for Public Assistance Categories C-G.

FEMA Housing Inspections Underway – What to Expect

SAIPAN, CNMI – FEMA housing inspectors have begun assessing damaged homes of applicants who registered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for damage sustained in Typhoon Soudelor. The inspections began late on Wednesday, and applicants across Saipan will continue to be receiving inspection appointment calls in the coming days and weeks.

Registered survivors will be contacted by a FEMA inspector to schedule an appointment for an inspection, so registrants do not need to contact FEMA to set up an inspection. The inspection is needed to verify and assess damages listed in your application. The inspection generally takes 30-40 minutes or less and consists of a general inspection of damaged areas of the home and a review of your records. There is no fee for the inspection.

When a FEMA housing inspector comes to visit your home, be sure they show you proper identification. All FEMA inspectors have prominent photo ID badges. If you are not shown photo identification, then do not allow the inspection. Unfortunately, disasters often bring out criminals who prey on the needs of disaster survivors – so beware of scams and scam artists.

“If you suspect someone is posing as a FEMA inspector, call our toll-free Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721, or call your local law enforcement officials,” said Steve DeBlasio, FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer for the response.

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).  Letters can be picked up at:

  • Fire Stations
    • Kagman
    • Garapan
    • Susupe
    • San Roque
    • Koblerville

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING A FEMA HOUSING INSPECTION – Page 2

  • 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.

Those who have suffered losses as a result of Typhoon Soudelor but have not yet applied for assistance are encouraged to do so as soon as possible.  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.

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. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (800) 877-8339.

 

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FEMA Housing Inspections Underway – What to Expect

CNMI, Red Cross and FEMA Announce Enhanced Aid for Typhoon Soudelor Survivors

SAIPAN, CNMI – The government of the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas (CNMI), the American Red Cross (ARC) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced an expansion of enhanced resource assistance for Saipan residents affected by Typhoon Soudelor. Using FEMA supplies, the ARC, which has already provided assistance to some 3,000 residents, will make the aid available.

Residents already registered with the ARC and are considered to have the greatest need will be processed first, said the ARC’s Operations Director, Denise Everhart.

ARC has a list of more than 3,000 individuals who have called into the chapter looking for assistance and is calling those with greatest need to do one-on-one casework.  ARC will then supply Client assistance Cards with some money for fuel, phone, and laundry as well as tarps, water, buckets, hygiene supplies, food and other supplies.  This will be continued, until the list is complete.

If there are limiting factors, where people cannot get to the designated ARC Chapter, located at 1 Airport Road, please call the ARC at 670-234-3459, and the ARC will work with FEMA and CNMI to accommodate those individuals on a case-by-case basis.

“Working through the CNMI Government and the American Red Cross is the best and fastest way to get the basic life sustaining supplies into the hands of the residents of Saipan that need them most,” said FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer, Steve DeBlasio.

“These supplies will go a long way in allowing the government of CNMI and the rest of our federal and private sector partners to create solutions to problems.” DeBlasio also thanked the US Navy and the US Marine Corps for their assistance in supporting the humanitarian mission on Saipan, and praised the resilience and patience of the citizens of the CNMI.

Additional supplies to what FEMA already had on the ground in CNMI were transported from Guam on the USS Ashland last Saturday. That cargo contained generators of various sizes, as well as large amounts of food, drinking water, tents, and vital heavy equipment needed to move the larger generators. The USS Ashland is expected to off-load Guam Power Authority heavy equipment on Saipan this morning.This equipment will help to expedite the restoration of electrical infrastructure here in Saipan.

“The residents of Saipan have been resilient, patient, and extremely hospitable under very trying and austere circumstances,” DeBlasio said. “They deserve our thanks and our help.”

DeBlasio also encouraged disaster survivors on Saipan to continue to register for FEMA assistance by calling 1-800-621 FEMA (3362), adding that more than 2,500 households had already done so.

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CNMI, Red Cross and FEMA Announce Enhanced Aid for Typhoon Soudelor Survivors