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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:

Registering for disaster assistance with other agencies or organizations registers you for FEMA disaster assistance. It does not.
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.

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

Rumor Control: FEMA disaster assistance concerns answered

To avoid misinformation circulating on social networks regarding the recovery effort for Hurricane Matthew in Virginia always ask for clarification from official sources. Rumors spread fast: please tell a friend, visit our rumor control page often and help us provide accurate information about the types of assistance available.

Check here often for an ongoing list of rumors and their true or false status.

RUMOR: FEMA doesn’t pay survivors enough.

FACT: FEMA grants are not the same as insurance. They are not intended to ‘make you whole.’ FEMA grants help eligible survivors with a start to get their lives back on track. They help with some basic disaster-related costs. They are usually not enough to get a household back to how it was before the disaster. FEMA looks at each case individually.

RUMOR: I already cleaned up and repaired the damage to my home. I heard it’s too late to get help from FEMA.

FACT: You may be eligible for FEMA assistance even if you’ve already repaired the damage. It will help if you have “before” photos and receipts for your repair expenses. Register with FEMA to find out more. You may be eligible for a grant for repair assistance that will help cover your costs. The deadline to register for FEMA registration is January 2, 2017.

RUMOR: FEMA assistance has to be repaid.

FACT: FEMA assistance is a grant, not a loan. Grants do not have to be repaid. Some homeowners, renters, businesses, and nonprofit organizations may take out disaster recovery loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). SBA loans have to be repaid but are at a lower interest rate than usual. Again, FEMA grants do not have to be repaid. In addition, FEMA grants are not taxable and do not affect your eligibility for other federal benefit programs, such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.

RUMOR: If there are other family members or roommates living with me, FEMA isn’t going to give them any help.

FACT: FEMA is committed to giving each individual survivor all the help he or she is eligible for. FEMA evaluates the needs of all eligible survivors on a case-by-case basis. Be sure to tell FEMA about the needs of all members of your household whether they are related to one another or not. Call the FEMA helpline at 800-321-3362 if you need to update your registration or have questions about the needs of any members of your household.

RUMOR: There is no easy way to get true, reliable information about FEMA’s disaster assistance programs.
FACT: Straight answers and plain facts are available from the disaster assistance program experts on FEMA’s Help Line. Call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585 to learn about disaster assistance programs. Toll-free lines are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. EDT daily. Multilingual operators are available. Survivors can also go to their nearest Disaster Recovery Center to get questions answered. Trust information only from official sources.

RUMOR: If survivors receive FEMA assistance, it could reduce their Social Security benefits.
FACT: No. Disaster assistance does not count as income. FEMA assistance will not affect Social Security, Medicare, or other federal and state benefits, and it is not counted as income for tax purposes.

RUMOR: If you receive money from FEMA you have to pay it back.

FACT: FEMA grants do not have to be repaid.

RUMOR: Receiving a letter from FEMA stating the applicant is not eligible means the person will not get any assistance.

FACT: Not necessarily. Receiving such a letter does not always mean an applicant is not eligible for disaster aid, even when the letter states “ineligible” or “incomplete.” Such a letter can simply be an indication that further information is needed, or that the applicant’s insurance claim needs to be settled before disaster aid can be granted. Call the FEMA help line, 800-621-3362, or visit your nearest Disaster Recovery Center with questions.

RUMOR: If you take FEMA assistance, they take your property.
FACT: Not true. FEMA has no authority to take property of any kind from anyone.

For more information on Recovery Efforts visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4291 and www.vaemergency.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.

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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Rumor Control: FEMA disaster assistance concerns answered

Louisiana Disaster Survivors Should Expect to Be Contacted

BATON ROUGE, La. — If you’re a Louisiana disaster survivor who applied for federal help, you may get a text from FEMA to let you know about your application status.

In an effort to enhance communication with disaster survivors, FEMA is now using texts to connect with applicants. This allows survivors to communicate quickly and easily with the agency.

You may still be contacted through email or telephone if you chose one of those as your preferred communication method when you applied for federal help.

You may then check your application’s status by going online to disasterassistance.gov or downloading and using the FEMA app and then logging into your account. You may also call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use TTY, call 800-462-7585. If you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS) call 800-621-3362. You may also use these resources to update your contact information.
Just ask if you require additional communication assistance. FEMA has access to foreign language and sign language interpreters and can provide materials in Braile, large print and electronic formats.

Remember never to provide personal information such as Social Security or bank account numbers to anybody. FEMA only requests this information when you first apply for federal disaster assistance. FEMA inspectors only require verification of identity.

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Louisiana Disaster Survivors Should Expect to Be Contacted

Every disaster survivor has equal access to disaster registration, information, and assistance

Charleston, W.Va – All survivors who sustained damage or losses from the June flooding can get help from local Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs).

If you need an accommodation or assistance due to a disability, please notify Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) staff at the time of registration or anytime throughout the assistance process.

Survivors can meet face-to-face with various agencies and service providers at each DRC. All FEMA DRCs are equally accessible to people with disabilities and provide assistance tools. Use the DRC Locator at http://asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm to find the DRC closest to you.

The DRCs meet Rehabilitation Act standards:

Every disaster survivor has equal access to disaster registration information and assistance.
DRCs offer effective communication options including: captioned phones, iPads with video remote interpreting; American Sign Language interpreters upon request; amplified telephones and listening devices for people with hearing loss; phones that display text; and magnifiers for people with vision loss.
FEMA documents are available in both Braille, large print, and other formats upon request.

FEMA assistance does not impact government benefits such as food stamps, Medicaid, Social Security, or other benefits.

Follow these links to access informational videos in ASL:

DRCs (ASL) http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/videos/111518
Registration (ASL) http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/videos/111546
Just ask (ASL) http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/videos/111508
FEMA assistance does not impact government benefits (ASL) http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/videos/111582

Additional information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery can be found by visiting: www.DisasterAssistance.gov; the flood pages at www.WVflood.com; fema.gov/disaster/4273; twitter.com/femaregion3; and fema.gov/blog.

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Every disaster survivor has equal access to disaster registration, information, and assistance

Federal Officials Visit Texas Communities with Resources for Recovery

AUSTIN, Texas – Residents in each of the state’s disaster-affected counties can expect to see FEMA’s Disaster Survivor Assistance teams in their communities, offering a personal link to the resources for recovery.

FEMA officials are in the counties to meet with residents who suffered damage from severe storms and flooding April 17-24.

Using the latest mobile technology, DSA team members help survivors register for disaster assistance, update information on applications, assist with determining ongoing needs and make referrals to whole community partners.

The DSA teams are there in partnership with the Texas Division of Emergency Management and local officials. DSA team members wear FEMA attire and carry FEMA photo IDs. If the photo ID is not displayed, ask to see it.

They may request the following information:

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

Residents in Austin, Colorado, Fayette, Grimes, Harris, Parker, Waller and Wharton counties do not have to wait until they meet with a DSA team member to register for FEMA assistance. Register with FEMA at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone (voice, 711 or video relay service) at 800-621-3362, TTY 800-462-7585. Toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week and multilingual operators are available.

Disaster 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.

For more information on Texas recovery, visit the disaster webpage for the April storms at fema.gov/disaster/4269; or visit the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, txdps.state.tx.us/dem. Follow us on Twitter @femaregion6.

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Federal Officials Visit Texas Communities with Resources for Recovery

How to Appeal a FEMA Decision

RIDGELAND, Miss. – Some survivors, who registered for federal disaster assistance after the March storms and flooding, may have received a letter from the Federal Emergency Management Agency that says they are ineligible. However, the reason for the decision may be something that can be easily fixed, such as providing insurance documents or new contact information.

Applicants can appeal any FEMA decision.

The first step is to look at the specific reason the letter was sent. If it isn’t clear, or more information is needed, a specialist at the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 (voice, 711, video relay service) can help. TTY users can call 800-462-7585. The toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Information is also available online at DisasterAssistance.gov.

Appeals must be made in writing and sent by mail or fax to FEMA within 60 days of receiving the letter.

Mail appeals to:

FEMA
National Processing Service Center
P.O. Box 10055
Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055

Appeals and documents can be faxed to 800-827-8112.

Information on how and where to file an appeal is included with the letters and in the “Help After a Disaster” booklet, which can be downloaded at FEMA.gov/help-after-disaster.

Effective appeal letters should follow these procedures:

In the first paragraph, list the applicant’s full legal name used on the aid application, along with Social Security number and the FEMA case number. Include a personal phone number as well as a back-up phone number where the applicant also can be reached, in addition to a correct mailing address.
Write an explanation of events that provides evidence to support the appeal. Summarize changes in circumstances or needs, additional damage to property discovered after the registration was filed or higher-than-anticipated costs for repairs.
Include photocopies of receipts for materials and labor as well as up to three written bids for repair work if those costs exceed the award amount. Submitting repair estimates, receipts, statements or invoices is recommended.
Keep a copy of the appeal letter and supporting documentation as a record.

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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 800-621-3362 (voice, 711 or video relay service). TTY users can call 800-462-7585.

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How to Appeal a FEMA Decision

Storm Damage in March and April – Register Again with FEMA

AUSTIN, Texas – Residents in Parker County with losses or damage from the severe storms and flooding of April 17-24 should register for federal disaster assistance with FEMA, even if they registered with the agency following the March storms.

An April 25 federal disaster declaration made Parker County — along with Fayette, Grimes and Harris counties — eligible for FEMA’s Individual Assistance program. Parker County also was included in the March 19 disaster declaration for the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding March 7-29. Each disaster is a separate event.

Parker County survivors can register with FEMA anytime at DisasterAssistance.gov. They also can register by phone (voice, 711 or video relay service) at 800-621-3362, TTY 800-462-7585. The toll-free lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

When registering, applicants will be asked for the following information:

Social Security number;
Address of the damaged primary residence;
Description of the damage;
Information about insurance coverage;
A current contact telephone number;
An address where they can receive mail; and
A bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of funds.

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.

Survivors should register even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but underinsured applicants may receive help after their claims have been settled.

Registering with FEMA is required for federal aid, even if a survivor has registered with another disaster-relief organization, such as the American Red Cross. Get answers to questions by calling the FEMA Helpline and speak with a representative.

For more information visit the Texas disaster webpage at fema.gov/disaster/4269, Twitter @femaregion6 and @TDEM, and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website at txdps.state.tx.us/dem.

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Storm Damage in March and April – Register Again with FEMA

April Storms and Flooding: Texans in Four Counties Can Now Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance

AUSTIN, Texas – Texans who sustained damage or losses from the storms and flooding that

occurred April 17-24 can now register for disaster assistance with the Federal Emergency

Management Agency.

The presidential disaster declaration of April 25 makes federal assistance available to eligible

individuals and households in four Texas counties: Fayette, Grimes, Harris, and Parker.

Survivors can apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone at 800-621-3362 or (TTY)

800-462-7585. Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may call 800-621-3362.

Multilingual operators are available. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.,

seven days a week.

Applicants will be asked for the following information:

Social Security number;
Address of the damaged primary residence;
Description of the damage;
Information about insurance coverage;
A current contact telephone number;
An address where they can receive mail; and
A bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of funds.

Before starting repairs or rebuilding a home or business, it is important to contact your local

building code official or floodplain manager.

Visit www.fema.gov/texas-disaster-mitigation for free publications and reference material on rebuilding and repairing safer and stronger.

For more information on Texas recovery, visit the disaster web page at www.fema.gov/disaster/4269, Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem.

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April Storms and Flooding: Texans in Four Counties Can Now Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance

Tallahatchie County Added to Federal Disaster Declaration for March Severe Storms and Floods

Ridgeland, Miss. – At the request of Governor Phil Bryant, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has amended a recent disaster declaration for severe storms and flooding from March 9-29, 2016. Survivors in Tallahatchie County can now register with FEMA for disaster assistance through the Individual Assistance program.

Survivors who sustained disaster-related losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance by calling FEMA’s helpline at 800-621-3362 for voice, 711 or relay service. (TTY users should call 800-462-7585.) The toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available. Online registration is available at disasterassistance.gov.

There are now 17 Mississippi counties designated for FEMA’s Individual Assistance program, including: Bolivar, Clarke, Coahoma, Forrest, George, Greene, Jones, Marion, Panola, Pearl River, Perry, Quitman, Sunflower, Tallahatchie, Tunica, Washington and Wayne.

Assistance may include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, and for other serious disaster-related needs, such as repairing or replacing damaged or destroyed personal property, medical and dental expenses. Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration may also be available to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance.

Mississippi residents in the 17 designated counties should register with FEMA even if they have insurance, but only if their property was damaged by the severe storms and flooding. 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. Federal disaster aid does not affect other government benefits, such as Social Security and Medicaid, and is not considered taxable income. Only one person per household is eligible to register. Survivors must use the name that appears on their Social Security cards when registering with FEMA.

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 Mississippi’s flood recovery, go to fema.gov/disaster/4268 or visit the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency site at msema.org.

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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). If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is the federal government’s primary source of money to help business of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters rebuild and recover after a disaster. SBA low interest disaster loans repair and replace property losses not fully compensated by insurance and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

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Tallahatchie County Added to Federal Disaster Declaration for March Severe Storms and Floods

Be Aware and Beware of Disaster-Related Fraud and Scams

AUSTIN, Texas – State and federal recovery officials encourage Texans to watch for and report any suspicious activity or potential fraud from scam artists, identity thieves and other criminals. Also, be aware FEMA does not endorse any commercial businesses, products or services.

FEMA encourages survivors as well as local residents and businesses to be especially vigilant for these common post-disaster fraud practices:

Fraudulent building contractors. When hiring a contractor:

Use licensed local contractors backed by reliable references.
Demand that contractors carry general liability insurance and workers’ compensation.
Don’t pay more than half the costs of repairs upfront.

Bogus pleas for post-disaster donations. Often, unscrupulous solicitors may play on the emotions of disaster survivors, residents and business owners. Be aware that disaster aid solicitations may arrive by phone, email, letter or face-to-face visits. To ensure a charity is legitimate:

Ask for the requestor’s name as well as the charity’s exact name, street address, phone number and website address – then call the charity directly to confirm the person asking for funds is an employee or volunteer.
Whether making a donation by cash or with a credit card, request a receipt that includes the charity’s name, street address and phone number.
The five-to-six digit numbers known as short codes make it difficult to tell who is on the receiving end of a text. A legitimate charity will not ask you to send personal information or a credit card number by text.

Fake offers of state or federal aid: Beware of visits, calls or e-mails – from people claiming to be from FEMA or the State of Texas – asking for an applicant’s Social Security number, bank account number or other sensitive information.

Don’t fall for scam artists who promise a disaster grant and ask for large cash deposits or advance payments in full.

Federal and state workers do not solicit or accept money. FEMA and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) staff never charge applicants for disaster assistance, inspections or help in filling out applications.

Phony housing inspectors. Homeowners and registered FEMA applicants should watch out for phony housing inspectors claiming to represent FEMA or the SBA.

Inspectors already have each applicant’s nine-digit registration number and a FEMA inspector will not ask for this number.
FEMA inspectors NEVER require banking or other personal information.
The job of FEMA housing inspectors is to verify damage. Inspectors do not hire or endorse specific contractors to fix homes or recommend repairs. They do not determine eligibility for assistance.

If you suspect fraud, call the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721. If you are the victim of or are the victim of a home repair scam or price gouging, call the Office of the Texas Attorney General at 800-252-8011.

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Be Aware and Beware of Disaster-Related Fraud and Scams

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