Matthew Survivors: 30 Days Left to Register for Federal Disaster Aid

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.–Survivors rebuilding their lives from Hurricane Matthew have 30 days left

to register for federal disaster assistance. Individuals who have underinsured or uninsured damages or losses from Hurricane Matthew and who reside in one of the eligible counties still have until Friday,

Dec. 16, 2016, to apply for FEMA assistance. Designated counties include Brevard, Duval, Flagler, Indian River, Nassau, Putnam, Seminole, St. Johns and Volusia counties.

Don’t wait to register. Applying for federal disaster assistance now may help if you still have unmet needs after receiving your insurance payment. While FEMA cannot duplicate assistance covered by insurance, you may still be eligible for assistance for losses not covered by insurance. FEMA grants do not have to be repaid, are nontaxable and do not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid or other federal benefits.

Register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362, which is Video Relay Service (VRS) accessible. Survivors who are deaf, hard of hearing or who have difficulty speaking may call TTY 800-462-7585. Helpline hours are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, until further notice. Multilingual operators are available (press 2 for Spanish).

The storm caused widespread damage in northeastern/central Florida along Florida’s eastern coastline, and the State of Florida, FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) continue to support individual and family recovery efforts.

As of close of business Nov. 14, 2016, about $68.8 million in federal assistance has been provided to homeowners, renters and business owners in designated areas for Hurricane Matthew, including:

  • Nearly $30.8 million in flood insurance approved for policyholders under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
  • More than $15.3 million approved to help individuals and families recover from the disaster, including nearly $13.3 million for housing assistance.

  • More than 39,000 Floridians have contacted FEMA for information or registered for assistance.

  • More than 4,100 Floridians have visited Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) to get one-on-one help from various state agencies, FEMA, SBA and certain nonprofit organizations.

Survivors should note that second to insurance, SBA low-interest disaster loans are the primary source of financial assistance to rebuild disaster-damaged private property for homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private nonprofit organizations. Make sure to complete and return the SBA loan application if you receive one. There is no charge to apply for the loan and no obligation to accept it if approved. A completed SBA loan application is also an important step in order to qualify for other state and FEMA grants that cover personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, moving and storage expenses and other help.

Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace disaster damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for $40,000 to repair or replace disaster damaged or destroyed personal property. If SBA does not offer a homeowner or renter a loan, they are referred to FEMA for possible additional grant consideration. Businesses and private nonprofit organizations can borrow up to $2 million for disaster-related losses.

For more information on Florida’s disaster recovery visit, https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4283, twitter.com/FEMA, facebook.com/FEMA, and fema.gov/blog, floridadisaster.org or #FLRecovers.

                                                                        ###

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.

Link:  

Matthew Survivors: 30 Days Left to Register for Federal Disaster Aid

Hermine Survivors: Assistance Still Available, 14 Days Left to Register for Federal Disaster Aid

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.– Survivors rebuilding their lives from Hurricane Hermine have 14 days left to register for federal disaster assistance. The storm caused widespread damage along Florida’s western coastline, and the State of Florida, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) continue to support individual and family recovery efforts.

Individuals who have underinsured or uninsured damages or losses from Hurricane Hermine and who live in the 11 eligible counties still have until Monday, Nov. 28, to register for FEMA assistance. The counties included in the federal disaster declaration are Citrus, Dixie, Hernando, Hillsborough, Leon, Levy, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Taylor and Wakulla.

Register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362, which is Video Relay Service (VRS) accessible. Survivors who are deaf, hard of hearing or who have difficulty speaking may call TTY 800-462-7585. Helpline hours are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, until further notice. Multilingual operators are available (press 2 for Spanish).

Don’t wait to register. Applying for federal disaster assistance now may help if you still have unmet needs after receiving your insurance payment. While FEMA cannot duplicate assistance covered by insurance, you may still be eligible for assistance for losses not covered by insurance. The maximum amount of assistance FEMA can legally provide is limited. FEMA grants do not have to be repaid, are nontaxable and do not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid or other federal benefits.

Make sure to complete and return the SBA loan application if you receive one. There is no charge to apply for the loan and no obligation to accept it, if approved. Second to insurance, SBA low-interest disaster loans are the primary source of financial assistance to rebuild disaster-damaged private property for homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private nonprofit organizations. A completed SBA loan application is also an important step in order to qualify for other state and FEMA grants that cover personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, moving and storage expenses and other help.

Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace disaster damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for $40,000 to repair or replace disaster damaged or destroyed personal property. If SBA does not offer a homeowner or renter a loan, they are referred to FEMA for possible additional grant consideration. Businesses and private nonprofit organizations can borrow up to $2 million for disaster-related losses.

For more information on Florida’s disaster recovery visit fema.gov/disaster/4280, twitter.com/FEMA, facebook.com/FEMA, and fema.gov/blog, floridadisaster.org or #FLRecovers.

                                                                        ###

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.

 

Source:

Hermine Survivors: Assistance Still Available, 14 Days Left to Register for Federal Disaster Aid

If you didn’t register with FEMA, you didn’t register

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — If you are among the thousands of Virginians who have registered for disaster assistance since Hurricane Matthew struck the Commonwealth, and you didn’t register directly with FEMA, you didn’t register.

Registering with your city’s emergency management agency, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM), the Red Cross, with any other charitable organization, or having FEMA flood insurance is NOT the same as registering with FEMA.

You still need to register with FEMA before it’s too late. The deadline is January 3, 2017.

After you have registered, if you receive a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loan application, officials urge you to fill it out and return it to the SBA—even if you do not want a loan. If you do not qualify for the SBA loan, your application can trigger other types of assistance, allowing the SBA to refer you back to FEMA.

You do not have to accept the SBA loan, but sometimes-unanticipated needs arise so having the loan in your ‘back pocket’ can make a difference.

FEMA and the SBA offer a variety of programs to help in your recovery. FEMA grants will not affect your government benefits, such as Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid and you will not pay additional income taxes or see any reduction in your Social Security checks or any other federal benefits.

VDEM and FEMA are working closely with other commonwealth and federal partners, the private sector, faith-based organizations, and voluntary agencies to help match survivors with avenues of assistance. Two common misconceptions regarding registering with FEMA are:

  1. Registering for disaster assistance with other agencies or organizations registers you for FEMA disaster assistance.  It does not.
  2. Having FEMA flood insurance registers you for disaster assistance. It does not. It also does not disqualify you from applying for assistance. Flood insurance claims are handled separately and you may find that you had uninsured losses.

If you haven’t registered because English is not your first language, don’t let that stop you.  If you or someone you know needs language assistance, FEMA has interpreters who speak many languages. Translators are available and can help you in the registration process.

Also know that you may apply if you are a non-citizen national with a Social Security number or a qualified alien who holds permanent residency, refugee, or asylum status. If you are the parent of a U.S. citizen in your household, you may apply for federal disaster assistance on behalf of your child.

If you are a renter and haven’t registered, know that you too, may be eligible for federal disaster assistance and referrals to Commonwealth agencies that may be able to help.

If you wish to donate, go to the Virginia Relief Fund site at: http://www.vaemergency.gov/get-involved/virginia-disaster-relief-fund/ for a list of approved charitable organizations.

As an applicant, your information is confidential. FEMA does not share your information with other agencies unless you want us to do so.

Additional information about this disaster is available at www.fema.gov and www.vaemergency.gov. Virginians seeking information about disaster-related services and unmet needs should call Virginia 211, a statewide information and referral service. Survivors are encouraged to register with FEMA as soon as possible. You can register online at DisasterAssistance.gov, on the FEMA Mobile App, or by calling 800-621-3362 (FEMA).

Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may also call 800-621-3362. People who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week.

See the article here: 

If you didn’t register with FEMA, you didn’t register

Crisis Counseling Can Help Louisianans Cope with Disaster-Related Distress

BATON ROUGE, La. — Recovery efforts in Louisiana continue following the historic August floods, and many survivors are still coping with the immediate effects of the disaster. While obvious problems such as home repair preoccupy some Louisianans, there is a quieter, more ominous issue that may threaten flood survivors.

Disaster-related distress is a silent, serious threat to any individual affected by a major disaster. It can manifest in the form of depression, anxiety or even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). According to the National Center for PTSD, more than 50 percent of those affected by major disasters develop some kind of clinically significant stress disorder.

Disaster-related distress is particularly treacherous because it is virtually unpredictable. While individuals with preexisting stress disorders or addictions are more likely to suffer from disaster-related distress, it can attack anyone at any time. Even individuals who show no signs of stress-related disorders immediately after a disaster may develop a condition years later.

Disaster-related distress, like any other illness, is most easily recognized by its symptoms. While symptoms vary by case and may be mistaken for symptoms of other illnesses, disaster-related stress disorders usually produce a combination of the following warning signs:

  • Headaches
  • Chest or muscle tightening
  • Fatigue
  • Inability to sleep

  • Overall restlessness

  • Uncontrollable anger, sadness or fear

  • Lack of appetite

  • Substance abuse

  • Social withdrawal

  • Suicidal thoughts

Individuals exhibiting many or all of these symptoms should seek treatment from a licensed therapist immediately. If left untreated, disaster-related distress can contribute to high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, diabetes and/or suicidal tendencies.

While the diagnosis and treatment of disaster-related distress may seem like a daunting process, it is not one that flood survivors and their loved ones need to go through alone. All survivors of the August flooding can take advantage of free disaster crisis counseling available through FEMA and the state of Louisiana.

The Crisis Counseling Program is funded by FEMA and implemented by the state. The purpose of the program is to provide survivors with free, local counseling services that promote resilience, empowerment and recovery.

The crisis counselors available through the Crisis Counseling Program are local people, many of whom have also been affected by flooding. These counselors are not therapists; they come from all careers and walks of life. However, they have all been trained to educate, support and inform survivors. If necessary, the crisis counselors can refer survivors to therapists for diagnosis and treatment.

Crisis counselors are available at all FEMA disaster recovery centers. To find a center near you, call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 or text DRC and your ZIP code to 43362. You can also find a center near you by downloading the FEMA mobile app or going online to fema.gov/drc.

For more information regarding the Crisis Counseling Program or to set up an appointment for counseling, call the Louisiana Office of Behavioral Health at 866-310-7977 or the Disaster Distress Hotline at 800-985-5990.

Visit source:  

Crisis Counseling Can Help Louisianans Cope with Disaster-Related Distress

La mayoría de Los Centros de Recuperación de Desastres Estatales/FEMA Cambian las Horas de Operación

RALEIGH, N.C. – Los Centros de Recuperación de Desastre de FEMA/ Estado operarán en un Nuevo horario a partir del Viernes, 11 de noviembre.

El Nuevo horario de operaciones para la mayoría de los centros hasta previo aviso es, de lunes a Viernes de 9 am a 6 pm y medio día los sábados a partir de las 9 am hasta la 1 pm.

Los centros ubicados en Brunswick, Cumberlan, Dare, Edgecombe (Sólamente el de Tarboro), Robeson y el condado de Wayne abrirán los sábados de 9am hasta las 6 pm.

Los residentes de Carolina del Norte, que han sufrido pérdidas y daños como consecuencia del Huracán Matthew pueden recibir ayuda solicitando asistencia federal, infórmese acerca de los tipos de asistencia disponibles, del proceso de apelación y obtenga actualizaciones de las solicitudes en cualquiera de los DRCs que operan en los condados afectados.

Para localizar el DRC más cercano a usted,  llame a la línea de ayuda de FEMA al 800-621-3362, o use las aplicaciones móviles de FEMA y Ready NC o viste la página web FEMA.gov/DRC o readync.org.

El primer paso para recibir la asistencia de desastres es el registrarse con FEMA

Se puede registrar:

  • En línea en DisasterAssistance.gov.

  • Llamando a la línea de ayuda de FEMA al 800-621-3362 o al 711 para Servicio de Retransmisión de Video (Video Relay Service, VRS). Si es sordo, tiene problemas de audición o del habla y utiliza la línea TTY, llame al 800-462-7585.

  • Descargando la aplicación móvil FEMA Mobile App y realizando su solicitud.

Los sobrevivientes que necesiten una adaptación razonable (interpretación de lenguaje de señas americano, impresión en braille, etc.) cuando visiten un centro de recuperación de desastre, pueden llamar a la Línea de Ayuda correspondiente para recibir asistencia. Los números gratuitos están disponibles de 7 a. m. a 11 p. m., los siete días de la semana. La asistencia está disponible en la mayoría de los idiomas y también puede obtener información acerca del proceso de registro en lenguaje de señas americano en fema.gov/media-library/assets/videos/111546.

La asistencia de FEMA es no imponible y no afectará la elegibilidad para el Seguro Social, Medicaid, Medicare u otros beneficios federales.

Inscríbase incluso si posee seguro. FEMA no puede duplicar los pagos del seguro, pero si usted no tenga seguro puede recibir ayuda después de que sus reclamaciones se hayan resuelto.

Para obtener más información acerca de la recuperación de Carolina de Norte, visite la página web de desastres en fema.gov/disaster/4285 o visite la página web de la Administración de Emergencia de Carolina del Norte en www.ReadyNC.gov.Siga a FEMA en Twitter con @femaregion4 y a la Administración de Emergencias de Carolina del Norte con @ncemergency.

###

La asistencia en caso de desastre está disponible sin importar la raza, color, religión, nacionalidad, sexo, edad, discapacidades, dominio del inglés o condición económica. Si usted o alguien que conozca ha sido víctima de discriminación, llame al número gratuito de FEMA al 800-621-3362 o TTY al 800-462-7585.

La misión de FEMA es apoyar a nuestros ciudadanos y primeros intervinientes para garantizar que trabajemos juntos como nación para fomentar, sostener y mejorar nuestra capacidad de preparar, prevenir, responder, recuperar y atenuar todos los peligros. Siga a FEMA en twitter con @femaregion4. Descargue la aplicación de FEMA, la cual contiene herramientas para mantenerle a salvo, durante y después de un desastre.

Marque el 2-1-1 o 888-892-1162 para hablar con un especialista acerca de las preguntas que pueda tener con respecto al huracán Matthew. El servicio es gratuito, confidencial, y está disponible en cualquier idioma. Allí pueden ayudarle dirigiéndole a distintos recursos. Llame al 5-1-1 o al 877-511-4662 para obtener información sobre las últimas condiciones de carreteras. Use la aplicación de teléfono móvil ReadyNC el cual también contiene información de evacuación y sobre albergues disponibles. Para las últimas noticias sobre el efecto del Huracán Matthew y los esfuerzos de auxilio, visite ReadyNC.org o siga a N.C. Emergency Management en Twitter y Facebook. Las personas u organizaciones que quieran ayudar a la recuperación de Carolina del Norte pueden visitar NCdisasterrelief.org o enviar un texto a NCRecovers al 30306.

La Agencia Federal para el Desarrollo de la Pequeña Empresa de los Estados Unidos (SBA, por sus siglas en inglés) es la fuente principal de dinero del gobierno federal para la reconstrucción a largo plazo de los daños por desastres a la propiedad privada. La SBA ayuda a los propietarios de hogares, a los inquilinos, a los negocios de cualquier tamaño y a las organizaciones privadas sin fines de lucro en el financiamiento de reparaciones o en los esfuerzos de reconstrucción y cubre los costos de reemplazos de la propiedad personal debido a pérdidas o daños por desastres. Estos préstamos por desastres cubren las pérdidas que no han sido pagadas o compensadas completamente por el seguro u otras formas de recuperación y no duplica beneficios de otras agencias u organizaciones. Para más información, los solicitantes pueden comunicarse con el Centro de Servicio al Cliente de la SBA, llamando al 800-659-2955, enviando un correo electrónico a disastercustomerservice@sba.gov o visitando el sitio Web de la SBA www.sba.gov/disaster. Las personas con dificultad para escuchar o sordos pueden llamar al 800-877-8339.

Visit site:  

La mayoría de Los Centros de Recuperación de Desastres Estatales/FEMA Cambian las Horas de Operación

Help Is Just a Phone Call Away for Louisiana Flood Survivors

BATON ROUGE, La. — Survivors of Louisiana’s August floods can always get help with just one phone call.

Call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 for information about many federal disaster assistance-related matters. Lines are open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Call 800-462-7585 if you use TTY or 800-621-3362 if you use 711 or Video Relay Service.

Here are some of the many ways the helpline can support your disaster recovery:

  • Learn about Manufactured Housing Units (MHUs) and where you are in the process if you’re interested in getting one.

  • Get instructions about how to appeal your FEMA decision letter. Everyone may appeal.

  • Register for federal disaster assistance. FEMA allows one registration per household. Households should register only once.

  • Inquire about the status of your registration.

  • Update contact and insurance information to avoid disaster assistance processing delays.

  • Reschedule FEMA home inspections.

Have your nine-digit FEMA registration number available if you want to discuss your application.

Have the following information available if you haven’t registered:

  • Date of loss;

  • Social Security number;

  • Current mailing address and damaged home address, including ZIP codes;

  • Telephone numbers;

  • Names of household members at the time of the disaster;

  • Insurance information;

  • Total gross income for the household;

  • Bank account numbers if you want to have money deposited directly; and

  • Loss descriptions.

View post:

Help Is Just a Phone Call Away for Louisiana Flood Survivors

Matthew, Hermine Survivors: FEMA Assistance Helps Bridge the Gap

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida hurricane survivors may be eligible for FEMA assistance to help supplement insurance claims or fill unmet needs.

The FEMA Individuals and Households Program (IHP) provides financial help or direct assistance in the form of grants for both homeowners and renters. The maximum amount of assistance provided by these grants is limited, and is not intended to restore your home to pre-storm condition. These funds can be used to pay for temporary housing or emergency home repairs to make sure your residence is safe and sanitary.

FEMA grants do not have to be repaid. FEMA assistance is nontaxable and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid or other federal benefits.

By law, FEMA assistance cannot duplicate assistance received from an insurance settlement. Secondary homes or rental properties are ineligible for this program. Federal guidelines only allow housing assistance to be used on primary residences affected by disaster.              

Before starting repairs or rebuilding a home, it is important to contact your local building code official or floodplain manager. Visit floridadisaster.org/Mitigation/index.htm for free information on rebuilding and repairing safer and stronger.

Renters and homeowners with insurance should contact their insurance agent right away to file a claim. Insurance is the main source of recovery funding for disaster related losses, but if insurance does not cover all expenses, disaster programs may be able to help.

If a decision on your insurance settlement is delayed longer than 30 days from the time you filed a claim, you will need to write a letter to FEMA explaining the circumstance. Include:

  • Proof from the insurance company that you filed the claim;

  • The claim number;

  • Date you filed your claim;

  • An estimate of how long it will take to receive your settlement.

While waiting for a settlement decision, any help awarded by FEMA would be considered an advance and must be repaid once an insurance settlement is received. 

Even if you are insured you should apply for disaster assistance with FEMA. Survivors in the designated counties may register for assistance the following ways:

  • Online at DisasterAssistance.gov

  • Phone 800-621-3362 (voice, 711/VRS-Video Relay Service) (TTY: 800-462-7585). Multilingual operators are available (press 2 for Spanish).

  • At a Disaster Recovery Center. To find the nearest one, go online to the Disaster Recovery Center Locator at asd.fema.gov/inter/locator.

For more help understanding FEMA’s disaster assistance program download the free guide Help After a Disaster at fema.gov/help-after-disaster.

For more information on Florida’s disaster recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4280, fema.gov/disaster/4283, twitter.com/femaregion4, facebook.com/FEMA, and fema.gov/blog, floridadisaster.org or #FLRecovers. For imagery, video, graphics and releases, see fema.gov/Hurricane-Matthew.

See more here – 

Matthew, Hermine Survivors: FEMA Assistance Helps Bridge the Gap

President Declares Major Disaster for Virginia

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the commonwealth of Virginia to supplement commonwealth and local recovery efforts in the area affected by Hurricane Matthew beginning on October 7, 2016, and continuing.

The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in the independent cities of Chesapeake, Newport News, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach.

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.    

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures in all areas within the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Donald L. Keldsen has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Keldsen said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the commonwealth and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated area can begin applying for assistance tomorrow by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).  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.

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.

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.

Link:

President Declares Major Disaster for Virginia

Disaster Aid Doesn’t Affect Government Benefits

COLUMBIA, S.C. (Wednesday, Nov. 2) – With the start of a new month you may wonder if the disaster assistance you received from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will reduce your Social Security checks or other benefits, or raise your income tax bill.

No need to worry!  Federal disaster assistance does not count as income. Social Security payments or Medicare benefits are not affected by disaster relief payments from the government or donations from charitable organizations. And, disaster recovery grants will not affect anyone’s eligibility for welfare assistance, Medicaid, food stamps or Aid to Families with Dependent Children. Grants for disaster recovery assistance are not counted as income in determining eligibility for any income-tested benefit program that the U.S. government funds.

Likewise, eligibility for FEMA assistance is not dependent on income. The amount of disaster assistance an eligible applicant receives is based on the amount of loss and damage incurred as a direct result of the storms and floods from Hurricane Matthew.

Survivors of Hurricane Matthew have until December 13 to register with FEMA for disaster assistance by one of the following methods:

  • Call 800-621-3362 (voice, 711 or video services) or 800-462-7585 (TTY).  Lines are open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and multilingual operators are available.
  • Apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
  • Visit a Disaster Recovery Center. To find the one nearest you, check “Quick Links” at  DisasterAssistance.gov.  DRCs are accessible to people with disabilities. The centers have tools to amplify sound, magnifiers and materials in alternative formats along with video remote interpretation.  Sign language interpreters are available upon request at the center.

All FEMA disaster assistance will be provided without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment), religion, national origin, age, disability, limited English proficiency, economic status, or retaliation. If you believe your civil rights are being violated, call 800-621-3362 or 800-462-7585(TTY/TDD).

You can receive weather alerts, safety tips and learn about disaster resources by downloading the free FEMA App, available for Apple, Android, and Blackberry mobile devices. Visit fema.gov/mobile-app for more information.

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/femaregion4 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 original: 

Disaster Aid Doesn’t Affect Government Benefits

President Declares Major Disaster for Minnesota

WASHINGTON –The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Minnesota to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the area affected by severe storms and flooding during the period of September 21-24, 2016. 

The President’s action makes federal funding available to state and eligible tribal and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for assistance for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by severe storms and flooding in Blue Earth, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Le Sueur, Rice, Steele, and Waseca counties.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

David G. Samaniego has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Samaniego said additional designations may be made at a later date if warranted by the results of damage assessments.

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.

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.

# # #

Link to article – 

President Declares Major Disaster for Minnesota

 Page 1 of 31  1  2  3  4  5 » ...  Last »