Disaster Survivors – Beware of Scams!

Duluth, MN—Disasters typically bring out the very best in people and there are countless stories of neighbors helping neighbors.  Unfortunately, some scam artists try and take advantage of disaster survivors looking for help, by trying to gather your personal information or to collect payment for disaster assistance.

 

If there is any doubt, do not give out any information, and report people claiming to be government workers to local authorities.  To safeguard against disaster-related fraud, Federal Emergency Disaster Agency (FEMA) officials recommend the following precautions:

 

  • Federal workers do not solicit or accept money.
  • Ask for official laminated photo ID.  A FEMA shirt or jacket is not absolute proof

of identity.

  • Safeguard personal information.  Do not give personal information such as Social Security and bank account numbers unless you initiate the call. 
  • Beware of people going door-to-door.  People going door-to-door to damaged homes, or phoning homeowners claiming to be building contractors could be scam artists, especially if they solicit financial information.

 

Suspicious activity should be reported to local authorities or to the FEMA Fraud Hotline at

(866) 720-5721.

 

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Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema.  Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at 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.

 

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Disaster Survivors – Beware of Scams!

Help Is Available For Building To a Higher Standard

TRENTON, N.J. — For many New Jersey homeowners, rebuilding after Hurricane Sandy will mean meeting a higher standard – literally.

Communities up and down the Jersey coast are reviewing new advisory base flood elevation maps published in December by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The maps show how high buildings should be elevated to minimize damage from future flooding.

Building higher means higher costs, but federal resources may be available to help with the additional expense.

Flood insurance policyholders in high-risk areas, also known as special flood hazard areas, can get up to $30,000 to help pay the costs of meeting the requirements of their community’s floodplain ordinance. The National Flood Insurance Program includes Increased Cost of Compliance coverage for all new and renewed standard flood insurance policies.

The money can be used to raise your home to, or above, the flood elevation level adopted by your local government or to move your home out of harm’s way. The Increased Cost of Compliance coverage can also be used to tear down and remove flood-damaged buildings.

Increased Cost of Compliance claims are paid only on flood-damaged homes in a high-risk area that don’t already comply with the local flood plain ordinances. The amount of flood damage has to be declared by local authorities as substantial. The coverage can only be used to pay for costs of meeting the floodplain management ordinance in your community.

For more information on ICC coverage, call your insurance company or agent, or call the NFIP toll-free at 800-427-4661 or TTY 800-427-5593. Information can also be found online at http://www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program.

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 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.

Original source:  

Help Is Available For Building To a Higher Standard

Limited time for Hurricane Sandy survivors in New York to visit 3 Disaster Recovery Centers

NEW YORK – Hurricane Sandy survivors in New York have until 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013, to receive assistance at three Disaster Recovery Centers in Queens and Brooklyn.

The State of New York and the Federal Emergency Management Agency closely monitor visitor traffic at all New York Disaster Recovery Centers. Traffic at these three centers has slowed, indicating the information needs of survivors in those areas have mostly been met. So far, more than 11,000 survivors have visited the three centers combined.

The three centers that will be ending service at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013, and their respective hours and locations are:

  • Social Security Building

Gravesend

10 Bouck Court

Brooklyn, NY 11223

Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday

  • Community Church of the Nazarene

1414 Central Ave.

Far Rockaway, NY 11691

Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday (Jan. 27)

  • Sands Point Professional Building

230 Beach 102nd St.

Rockaway Park, NY 11694

Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday (Jan. 27)

Also, all recovery centers will discontinue service on Sundays beginning Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013.

Survivors who need help may still visit any of the other centers that remain open throughout New York. To find the nearest center, the following options are available: Text DRC and a Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA), and a text message will be sent back with the address. Also, the Disaster Recovery Center locator is available online at www.FEMA.gov/disaster-recovery-centers.

Individuals also can find a recovery center – and register for FEMA help – online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet by going to m.fema.gov or by downloading the FEMA app. Survivors also can call 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585). People who use 7-1-1 Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) should call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. EST, seven days a week until further notice.

Hurricane Sandy survivors in New York have until Feb. 27, 2013 to register for federal disaster assistance, which can include money for rent, essential home repairs, personal property losses and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

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

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Limited time for Hurricane Sandy survivors in New York to visit 3 Disaster Recovery Centers

FEMA Extends Deadline To Register For Hurricane Sandy Assistance In New Jersey

TRENTON, N.J. — Survivors of Hurricane Sandy in New Jersey now have until March 1, 2013, to register for disaster assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

People with storm losses in all counties in New Jersey can register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov. Registration is also available by calling 800-621-3362, TTY 800-462-7585 or 711/VRS. The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. seven days a week.

The deadline was extended one month at the request of the state of New Jersey. Through Wednesday, Jan. 23, more than 57,500 storm survivors have been approved for help through FEMA’s Individual Assistance program in New Jersey.

The disaster registration process serves as a referral point for FEMA programs and those of partner agencies such as the U.S. Small Business Administration, American Red Cross and the Salvation Army.

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

The SBA has also set March 1 as the date for homeowners, renters and business owners to complete and return SBA disaster loan applications. Visit www.sba.gov or call 800-659-2955, TTY 800-877-8339 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 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.

SBA’s Disaster Assistance Program provides long term, low-interest loans to homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes. For more information, visit www.sba.gov. All SBA’s program and services are provided on a nondiscriminatory basis.

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FEMA Extends Deadline To Register For Hurricane Sandy Assistance In New Jersey

Who Qualifies for FEMA Disaster Assistance?

NEW YORK – To qualify for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, a survivor of Hurricane Sandy must meet certain conditions.

First, the individual or household losses must have occurred in an area covered by the presidential disaster declaration for New York, which includes 13 counties.

  • Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester.

The survivor must register with FEMA. There are several ways to do this:

  • Via smartphone or tablet, go to m.fema.gov or download the FEMA app.
  • Call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585.
  • For 7-1-1Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS), call 800-621-3362.
  • The toll-free telephone numbers operate 7 a.m. to 1 a.m., seven days a week until further notice.
  • A FEMA Language Assistance Line is available for those who need interpretation services in languages other than English or Spanish. Call: 866-333-1796.

The deadline to register with FEMA is Jan. 28 in New York.

If the applicant has insurance, he or she must file a claim with the insurance company.

For housing assistance

  • The damage to the property is not covered by insurance or the insurance settlement is insufficient to cover the losses.
  • The applicant or someone who lives in the household is a citizen of the United States, a non-citizen national, or a qualified alien.
  • The applicant must have a valid Social Security number.
  • The damaged home is where the applicant usually lives and was living at the time of the disaster.

A survivor may not be eligible for housing assistance if:

  • The home that was damaged is a secondary or vacation residence.
  • Expenses resulted only from leaving the home as a precaution and the applicant was able to return to the home immediately after the incident.
  • The applicant has refused assistance from his or her insurance provider.
  • The only losses are business losses.
  • The damaged home is located in a designated flood hazard area and the applicant’s community is not participating in the National Flood Insurance Program.l
    •  In this case, the flood damage to the home would not be covered, but the applicant may qualify for rental assistance or assistance for items not covered by flood insurance.

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

 

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.

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.

Excerpt from: 

Who Qualifies for FEMA Disaster Assistance?

Improve Protection Of Home Or Business With SBA Loan

TRENTON, N.J. — New Jerseyans may use low-interest disaster loans from the Small Business Administration to better protect their home or business structures from future disasters.

Home and business owners can choose to borrow up to an additional 20 percent of the approved loan amount for mitigation improvements including building elevation, retaining walls, seawalls, sump pumps and relocating utilities.

Survivors can indicate on their SBA loan applications that they want to apply for additional mitigation funds and specify how they would protect their home or business.

Homeowners can receive loans up to $200,000 to repair or replace damaged property while businesses can receive loans up to $2 million.

SBA disaster loans for building code requirements can increase the total of the loan up to 100 percent.

The deadline to apply for a low-interest SBA disaster loan is Jan. 30.

SBA is the primary source of federal funds for long-term rebuilding. In most cases, Federal Emergency Management Agency funds will not cover all of the repair needs of homeowners. Money for a temporary rental home is the form of help FEMA largely provides so obtaining a low-interest SBA disaster loan is a survivor’s best option for repairing their home, replacing property and mitigating their home.

For additional information on SBA low-interest disaster loans, contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center by calling 800-659-2955 or TTY 800-877-8339, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or visiting sba.gov. SBA customer service representatives are available at all disaster recovery centers throughout the state. Centers can be found online at fema.gov/DRC.

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 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.

SBA’s Disaster Assistance Program provides long term, low-interest loans to homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes. For more information, visit www.sba.gov. All SBA’s program and services are provided on a nondiscriminatory basis.

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Improve Protection Of Home Or Business With SBA Loan

If Insurance Is Slow, Talk With FEMA

TRENTON, N.J. — If your house is not livable and you have insurance, the Federal Emergency Management Agency may be able to provide temporary housing or rent under certain circumstances. 

FEMA may be able to help if any of these situations apply:

  • You used all the rent money that your insurance company provided under Alternative Living Expenses coverage and your home is not ready for occupancy.
  • Your insurance does not include Alternative Living Expenses.
  • Your insurance settlement for Hurricane Sandy has not arrived.

Register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or m.fema.gov; visit a disaster recovery center; or call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585) or 711/VRS.

If you already registered with FEMA and were told that your losses appeared to be covered by insurance, you can request rental assistance to get you through an insurance delay. Write a letter to FEMA noting that the settlement has been delayed at least 30 days.

Mail to:        FEMA IHP

National Processing Service Center

P.O. Box 10055

Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055

Or fax to:      800-827-8112

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 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.

Link – 

If Insurance Is Slow, Talk With FEMA

Help for Renters Who Lost Personal Property in Hurricane Sandy

TRENTON, N.J. — Renters who need to repair or replace essential items lost in Hurricane Sandy can get help from the Small Business Administration.

Many survivors are learning that their insurance is not enough to cover all of their losses. Only 43 percent of renters have insurance, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

Survivors may qualify for long-term, low-interest SBA loans to repair or replace personal property  items such as clothing, furniture, cars, or appliances damaged or destroyed in the disaster. The deadline to return a disaster loan application is Jan. 30.

Money is available for necessary expenses and serious needs caused by Hurricane Sandy that are not covered by insurance or other programs. Items such as textbooks and computers used for education, professional tools, household furnishings, disaster-related medical, dental, or funeral costs and storm damage to vehicles may qualify for FEMA grants. Renters must return their SBA loan application to be considered for these grants.

Survivors may apply online using the electronic loan application via SBA’s secure website at DisasterLoan.sba.gov/ela. For additional information, contact an SBA disaster assistance customer service center by calling 800-659-2955 or TTY 800-877-8339, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or visiting sba.gov. SBA customer service representatives are available at all disaster recovery centers throughout the state. Centers can be found online at fema.gov/DRC.

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 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.

SBA’s Disaster Assistance Program provides long term, low-interest loans to homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes. For more information, visit www.sba.gov. All SBA’s program and services are provided on a nondiscriminatory basis.

Link:

Help for Renters Who Lost Personal Property in Hurricane Sandy

30 Minutes can make a Difference in Recovery from Sandy

SBA loan application is important part of the process

NEW YORK – In about half an hour, New York survivors of Hurricane Sandy can make a big difference in their recovery by applying for a low-interest disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The process isn’t hard at all. By returning the SBA loan application, homeowners may be eligible for up to $200,000 to repair or replace their storm-damaged home. Homeowners and renters may be eligible for up to $40,000 for replacement of personal property.

The form asks for the survivor’s name, contact information, Social Security number, mailing address, address of damaged property, income and assets, monthly housing cost, insurance information, debts and credit references. The language is clear and the application is not long.

  • SBA customer service representatives are available to issue or accept low-interest disaster loan applications and answer questions at all New York State/FEMA Disaster Recovery centers and SBA Business Recovery Centers.
    • To find the nearest Disaster Recovery Center, go online to www.FEMA.gov/disaster-recovery-centers or, with a tablet or smartphone, go to m.fema.gov. Survivors may also text “DRC” and their Zip code to 43362 (4FEMA).
    • To locate the nearest Business Recovery Center, visit www.sba.gov or call      800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339.)      
  • Applicants may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application via SBA’s secure website at https://DisasterLoan.SBA.gov/ELA. More information is available by calling the SBA Disaster Customer Service Center toll-free number, 800-659-2955    (TTY 800-877-8339). Assistance is also available by email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov or by visiting www.sba.gov.

If SBA finds the applicant eligible for a loan, there is no obligation to accept it. But filling out the application, whether or not a loan is offered, opens the door to other possible assistance, including additional federal grant funds for homeowners and renters.

So it’s worth spending a few minutes to ensure that the widest possible array of benefits is available.

The deadline for returning an SBA disaster loan application is Jan. 28.

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

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30 Minutes can make a Difference in Recovery from Sandy

Advisory Flood Elevation Maps on the Web

TRENTON, N.J. — For Hurricane Sandy survivors who want to rebuild stronger, safer and smarter, knowing their risk of flooding is paramount. Property owners can find the data they need online in new advisory base flood elevation maps published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Advisory maps containing recommended building elevations are available for these counties: Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Cape May, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean and Union. To learn more, visit the following web sites:

Advisory maps show, based on the best available information, how high structures should be elevated   to minimize damage from future flood events.  The maps  show that portions of communities are in new flood zones, which may impact insurance rates and building practices.

  • For information on federal flood insurance visit www.floodsmart.gov.You can also call 888-379-9531 or contact your insurance agent.
  • FEMA provides flood insurance resources including publications and frequently asked questions online at www.fema.gov/nfip.

Communities are encouraged to adopt advisory base flood elevation maps to reduce future flood risk  and to decrease the cost of flood insurance. Property owners should work with local building officials   to fully understand all requirements – including advisory maps – to rebuild stronger, safer and smarter.

Contact your local officials if you have questions about advisory base flood elevation maps and how they affect you and your community.

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 FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema. 

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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Advisory Flood Elevation Maps on the Web

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