SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster assistance grants do not count as income. Survivors who receive federal disaster assistance as a result of the wildfires will not pay additional income taxes or see any reduction in their Social Security checks or any other federal benefits.

Grants for temporary housing, essential home repairs, replacement of personal property or other disaster-related needs do not count as income. Donations from charitable organizations will not affect Social Security payments or Medicare benefits.

“We understand the concerns of senior citizens and other survivors and want them to know that disaster assistance will not affect other benefits they may be receiving,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Timothy J. Scranton. “The assistance we provide will not affect taxes or social security. Anyone with questions can call the FEMA helpline or visit one of our disaster recovery centers.”

 

Disaster recovery centers (DRCs) are open in Calaveras and Lake counties:

The Calaveras County DRC in San Andreas:
891 Mountain Ranch Rd.
San Andreas, CA

Hours of operation until further notice:
Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The Lake County DRC in Middletown:
21256 Washington St.,
Middletown, CA

Hours of operation until further notice:
Tuesday, Sept. 29 – Tuesday, Oct. 6
8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For more information on Social Security, contact the Social Security Administration by calling 800-772-1213 or by visiting www.SocialSecurity.gov.

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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.
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 SBA.gov. (Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.).

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FEMA Assistance Will Not Change Social Security, Medicare Benefits

WASHINGTON — The Federal Emergency Management Agency today announced the award of five training grants for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 Homeland Security National Training Program (HSNTP) Continuing Training Grants (CTG) totaling $11,521,000. These awards will provide additional FEMA certified training and certification for first responders, emergency managers, technical specialists, local government and community leaders, preparing them for all types of emergencies. The period of performance for the FY 2015 CTG program is 36 months. 

The FY 2015 CTG program focuses on the following four areas: Cybersecurity, Hazardous Materials, Countering Violent Extremism and Rural Preparedness. Rural Preparedness includes the following topics: school-based incidents, mass fatality planning and response, the development of emergency operation plans, rail car safety, media engagement strategies for first responders, agro-terrorism, food and animal safety and hazardous materials.

Grants were awarded to the following organizations:

  • Cybersecurity: The University of Arkansas Criminal Justice Institute – $3,000,000
  • Hazardous Materials: The International Association of Fire Fighters – $2,000,000
  • Countering Violent Extremism: University of Maryland START Consortium – $1,319,405
  • Countering Violent Extremism: Virginia Center for Policing Innovation – $1,701,595
  • Rural Preparedness: The Center for Rural Development – $3,500,000

Information on the FY 2015 CTG program can be found on www.grants.gov by searching under Homeland Security Grants, CFDA #97.005.

View original post here: 

FEMA Announces Grant Awards for Fiscal Year 2015 Homeland Security National Training Program/Continuing Training Grants Program

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

DENVER – State and federal officials have scheduled meetings with local governments and other entities in Adams, Boulder, Park and Denver Counties to help them apply for federal assistance for this spring’s storms.

The Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM)  in cooperation with FEMA has scheduled Applicants’ Briefings August 25 to August 27 to help local governments, state agencies, and certain private non-profit organizations navigate the federal Public Assistance application process relative to this spring’s declared disaster.

On August 12, Adams, Boulder, Park and Denver Counties were added to 11 other Colorado counties that had already been declared eligible for damage reimbursement as a result of the severe storms, tornadoes, flooding, landslides, and mudslides that occurred between May 4 and June 16, 2015.

Applicants’ Briefing Schedule:

Park County: August 25, 1:00 p.m., Park County Emergency Operations Center, 911 Clark Street, Fairplay, CO 80440

Adams County: August 27, 8:30 a.m., Adams County Government Center, Conference Center – Platte D, 4330 S Adams County Pkwy, Brighton, CO 80603

Boulder County/statewide: August 27, 1:00 p.m., Colorado State Emergency Operations Center, 9195 E Mineral Ave., Centennial, CO 80112

Denver County: TBD

The briefings are the next step in FEMA’s Public Assistance Program and will provide information on the application process as well as deadlines for submission of necessary documents.

The Applicants’ Briefing may be followed by face-to-face meetings in local communities between FEMA/DHSEM officials and eligible applicants.

The disaster declaration issued by President Obama on July 16, 2015 for Baca, Elbert, El Paso, Fremont, Logan, Morgan, Pueblo, Saguache, Sedgwick, Washington, and Yuma counties made state, county, and local governments, as well as certain non-profit organizations, eligible to receive reimbursement for repairing infrastructure damage caused by the storms, as well as the cost of responding to them.

Qualified organizations in these counties and the four newly declared ones will receive no less than 75 percent of their eligible costs incurred as a result of the disaster.

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Colorado DHSEM’s mission is to provide leadership and support to Colorado communities to prevent, protect, mitigate, respond and recover from all-hazard events including acts of terrorism.

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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Disaster Aid Meetings Set For Additional Colorado Counties

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Specialists with the Federal Emergency Management Agency are reaching out to survivors in Kentucky’s storm-ravaged communities of Carter, Johnson, Rowan and Trimble counties to help individuals register for assistance. Survivors may meet a specialist in their neighborhood or speak to one on the phone.

FEMA disaster survivor assistance specialists and FEMA Corps members are canvassing affected areas to provide on-site registration assistance, address immediate and emerging needs, and answer any questions about the registration process. Specialists can also provide referrals to additional resources.

FEMA crews are visiting homes, businesses, local organizations and churches in the four counties, which were declared eligible for federal assistance. Using wireless tablets, FEMA crews can help a survivor fill out an application for assistance on the spot. FEMA representatives wear FEMA clothing and will provide FEMA photo identification. Kentuckians should ask for this federal identification before providing personal information.

Survivors may also receive a phone call from FEMA specialists after they have registered for disaster assistance.

If called, applicants could be asked to verify their identity with some of the following information:

  • The last four digits of their Social Security number.
  • The address of their damaged home.
  • The applicant’s current mailing address.
  • The applicant’s current phone number.

If applicants receive a phone call from FEMA representatives and question the validity of the caller, they can contact the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 to verify the source of the call. FEMA will not call applicants to request any banking information.

Should residents receive a call asking for banking information, they should contact the Kentucky Attorney General’s office at 888-432-9257 or local law enforcement.

Survivors in the four counties currently designated for Individual Assistance can register online at DisasterAssistance.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

For more information on Kentucky disaster recovery, visit http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4239 or visit the Kentucky Emergency Management Agency website at http://kyem.ky.gov/DisasterNews.                                                                  

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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.

For more information on Kentucky’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov or http://kyem.ky.gov. On Facebook, go to http://www.facebook.com/KYEmergencyManagement. To receive Twitter updates: http://twitter.com/kyempio or www.twitter.com/femaregion4.

 

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FEMA Specialists Reach Out to Survivors in Kentucky Communities

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentuckians whose home, apartment or business was affected by the July severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in Carter, Johnson, Rowan and Trimble counties must register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to see if they are eligible for disaster assistance.

Individuals, families and business owners in the designated counties can register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or by calling 800-621-3362 (FEMA).  Disaster assistance applicants who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 800-462-7585 directly. Those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS) may 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. Multilingual operators are available.

The only way for survivors to know if they are eligible for federal assistance is by registering with FEMA – even if survivors have already signed up with another disaster organization. Those with insurance could also be eligible for federal aid and are encouraged to apply, though FEMA cannot determine eligibility until insurance claims are settled.

Names must match those on Social Security cards.

Applicants must have the following information available:

  • Social Security number
  • Address of the residence
  • Description of the damage
  • Information about insurance coverage
  • Current contact telephone number
  • Mailing address

For more information on Kentucky disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4239 or the Kentucky Emergency Management (KYEM) site at http://kyem.ky.gov/DisasterNews.

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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.

For more information on Kentucky’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov or http://kyem.ky.gov. On Facebook, go to http://www.facebook.com/KYEmergencyManagement. To receive Twitter updates: http://twitter.com/kyempio or www.twitter.com/femaregion4.

Original source:

Survivors of Kentucky’s July Storms May Register by Phone or Internet for Disaster Assistance

FRANKFORT, KY. – Homeowners, renters and business owners affected by the recent severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in Kentucky are urged to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as they may be eligible for disaster assistance.

The presidential disaster declaration of August 12, makes federal assistance available to eligible individuals and business owners in Carter, Johnson, Rowan and Trimble counties.

Individuals and business owners in the designated counties can register online at DisasterAssistance.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. If you use Video Relay Services, call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 6 a.m. to

8 p.m. local time, seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

Assistance 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 the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) may also be available to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance.

Kentucky residents 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.

Registering with FEMA is required for federal aid, even if the person has registered with another disaster-relief organization. FEMA registrants must use the name that appears on their Social Security card.

Applicants will be asked for the following information:

  • Social Security number
  • Address of the damaged home or apartment
  • Description of the damage
  • Information about insurance coverage
  • A current contact telephone number
  • An address where they can receive mail
  • Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of funds.

For more information on Kentucky disaster recovery, click www.fema.gov/disaster/4239 or visit the Kentucky Emergency Management (KYEM) site at http://kyem.ky.gov/DisasterNews

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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Kentucky Storm Survivors Urged to Register for Disaster Assistance

DENVER – Today, the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) submitted a request to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the designation of additional counties for Public Assistance under Major Disaster Declaration DR-4229 to include Adams, Boulder, and Park counties and the City and County of Denver.

In the request Colorado DHSEM Director Kevin Klein wrote, “The most recent preliminary damage assessments highlight the scale of this disaster, with 15 of 64 Colorado counties accruing eligible damages due to widespread flooding and severe weather from April through June. Adams, Boulder and the City and County of Denver in particular have now experienced additional hardships as they are still recovering from FEMA-4145-DR-CO, arguably the most costly disaster in Colorado history.”

The request was submitted to FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate through Dolph Diemont, the DR-4229 Federal Coordinating Officer at the Joint Field Office located in Denver.  FEMA is now reviewing the request.

DR-4229 was declared by President Obama on July 16, 2015 after local, State and FEMA officials completed two rounds of Preliminary Damage Assessments in June and July.  After the declaration the State was made aware of additional damages.  During the past two weeks the State worked with FEMA to conduct additional Preliminary Damage Assessments to verify eligible losses.  Based upon the results of the assessments, DHSEM Director Kevin Klein has requested that FEMA add Adams, Boulder, and Park counties along with the City & County of Denver to the list of designated counties.

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Colorado DHSEM’s mission is to provide leadership and support to Colorado communities to prevent, protect, mitigate, respond and recover from all-hazard events including acts of terrorism.

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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Colorado Requests More Counties Be Added to Disaster Declaration

SAIPAN – A joint Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) will open on August 12 in Susupe to help individuals and families affected by Typhoon Soudelor with the recovery process.

The DRC will open on Wednesday, August 12, at 12 p.m.:

Pedro P Tenorio Multi-purpose Center

Beach Rd, Susupe, Saipan MP 96950, Northern Mariana Islands

Aug. 12 (opening day) hours of operation: 12 p.m.-5 p.m. 

Normal hours of operation: Monday-Saturdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

After registering online or by telephone, survivors can access “one-stop shop” service at the DRC and receive assistance with additional registration needs such as case inquiries and updates.  Subject matter experts from FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and the American Red Cross will be available at the DRC.

While visiting the DRC is not required, an in-person visit following registration often proves extremely helpful to survivors in understanding the entire range of possible assistance for which they may be eligible. 

Recommended items to bring to the DRC:

  • Identification Card
  • Social Security Number
  • FEMA registration number (given when you register, this will be the number you’ll have to reference every time you interact with FEMA staff regarding your registration)
  • Insurance documents
  • Receipts of any repairs performed on homes or items purchased to recover from typhoon damages (not all will be eligible for reimbursement, but good to have just in case)
  • Any other documents that may further verify your occupancy or ownership of a home

Survivors are encouraged to apply for assistance before coming to the DRC by calling 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 800-621-3362 to register. Online registration is also available at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.  If survivors are unable to register prior to visiting the DRC, there will be a phone bank available for registration or helpline support.

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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Disaster Recovery Center to Open in Susupe

OAKLAND, Calif. — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to assist the state of California to combat the Rocky Fire burning in Lake County.

On August 1, 2015 the State of California submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Declaration for the Rocky Fire burning in Lake County.  At the time of the request, the fire was threatening 704 homes in and around the community of Lower Lake and other nearby communities.  Mandatory evacuations were taking place for approximately 450 people.  The fire started on July 29, 2015 and has burned in excess of 47,000 total acres of federal, state, and private land. 

The Regional Administrator for FEMA’s Region IX office determined that the Rocky Fire threatened such destruction as would constitute a major disaster and approved the State’s request on August 2, 2015.

The Disaster Relief Fund provides funding for Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAGs) through FEMA to assist in fighting fires which threaten to cause major disasters. Eligible costs covered by FMAGs can include expenses for field camps; equipment use; repair and replacement; tools; materials; supplies and mobilization and demobilization activities.

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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Original article: 

California to receive FEMA funding to battle Rocky Fire in Lake County

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