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Calling 2-1-1 or Filing an Insurance Claim Does Not Register You with FEMA

WARWICK, R.I. – To receive federal disaster assistance, Rhode Islanders who experienced losses because of Hurricane Sandy and called the state’s 2-1-1 line must also register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The same applies to those who filed a flood insurance claim. They must register with FEMA to obtain assistance with essential needs not covered by insurance. Registering with 2-1-1 or filing a flood insurance claim does NOT register you with FEMA.

“Some Rhode Islanders mistakenly believe they registered for help from FEMA when they called 2-1-1 or their insurance company,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Nick Russo, who leads FEMA’s mission in Rhode Island. “We want to make sure everyone knows they have to contact FEMA directly to become eligible for federal assistance.”

To register with FEMA, go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov or to m.fema.gov if using a smartphone or call FEMA at 800-621-FEMA (3362). Multilingual registration assistance is available. People with a speech disability or hearing loss who use a TTY can call 800-462-7585 directly; or 800-621-3362 if using 711 or Video Relay Service. Phone lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week until further notice.

Individual assistance to homeowners and renters includes grants to cover expenses for temporary housing, home repair, and other serious disaster-related needs and expenses, such as replacement of personal property and medical, dental or transportation costs that are not covered by insurance or other assistance programs.

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 medical and dental expenses, 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.

Excerpt from:

Calling 2-1-1 or Filing an Insurance Claim Does Not Register You with FEMA

FEMA Grants Are Not Taxable Income

WINDSOR, Conn. – Hurricane Sandy survivors receiving Social Security or other government aid have no cause for concern when it comes to how disaster assistance might affect their benefits.

Disaster assistance grants are not taxable income and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid, medical waiver programs, welfare assistance, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, food stamps, Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability Insurance.

To be eligible for federal disaster assistance, survivors must first register with FEMA. The process only takes about 20 minutes.

Survivors can register online anytime day or night at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or with a smartphone or other web-enabled device at m.fema.gov. Survivors can also register by phone anytime by calling FEMA at 800-621-3362. The TTY number is 800-462-7585. Multilingual operators are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Wait for the English message to finish to reach the multilingual operators.

The deadline to register is Dec. 31. Registering for disaster assistance with other agencies or organizations does not register survivors for FEMA disaster assistance. Having FEMA flood insurance does not register policyholders for disaster assistance; flood insurance claims are handled separately.

Survivors also may visit a Disaster Recovery Center to speak directly with a FEMA specialist who can answer their questions. For an updated list of DRCs, go to http://go.usa.gov/g2Td.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private nonprofit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and covers 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.

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FEMA Grants Are Not Taxable Income

Disaster Recovery Center To Open In Norwalk

WINDSOR, Conn. – A Disaster Recovery Center operated by the State of Connecticut and the Federal Emergency Management Agency will open at noon, Tuesday, Nov. 27, at Norwalk City Hall, 125 East Ave., Norwalk, CT 06851.

The center will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 28, through Saturday, Dec.1.

Specialists from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration will be on hand at the center to answer questions and provide information on the types of assistance available to survivors.

People who suffered losses can get person-to-person assistance at the centers from specialists skilled in many disaster-related subjects. Specialists at the center can help with registration; check an individual’s case; answer questions about their claim; or review information needed to process their claim.

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Disaster Recovery Center To Open In Norwalk

FEMA Determination Letter Is Often Not the Last Word on Eligibility

WINDSOR, Conn. – FEMA is urging disaster survivors not to miss out on federal assistance they may be entitled to simply because of a missing document or signature.

Residents affected by Hurricane Sandy who have registered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency for assistance are now receiving letters explaining the status of their applications. In some cases, applicants are being informed that they are not eligible for aid, but often, that is not the last word on the matter.

FEMA’s determination letters tell applicants how to appeal the eligibility decision and what additional information is needed for FEMA to review the application again.

FEMA is committed to making sure every Connecticut resident affected by the disaster receives the maximum assistance to which they are entitled. And by law, FEMA cannot provide aid unless it has all the required documents needed to determine eligibility. The agency also cannot duplicate benefits from another source, such as an insurance settlement.

All applicants are urged to read the determination letter carefully – and to ask for help if there are questions. FEMA may only need some additional information.

For example, FEMA may not have received information about an applicant’s insurance settlement. FEMA’s initial determination of ineligibility may change if private insurance or other government assistance is not sufficient to cover all eligible damage.

An application for aid might be turned down if:

An insurance settlement has not yet been received;
An applicant has not provided proof of ownership or residence;
Proof the damaged property was the applicant’s primary residence is missing;
Essential documents are unsigned.

Applicants can call FEMA’s helpline at 800-621-3362 or visit a Disaster Recovery Center to get their questions answered. If using TTY, call 800-462-7585.

FEMA is in Connecticut to serve every disaster survivor in need. It is every applicant’s right to ask the agency to reconsider its decisions. For appeal information, go to the video link below:

You Can Appeal: http://go.usa.gov/ggkF

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FEMA Determination Letter Is Often Not the Last Word on Eligibility

Utilice los Fondos por Desastre de FEMA Sabiamente

WINDSOR, Conn. – Mientras la recuperación del Huracán Sandy progresa, los sobrevivientes están recibiendo subvenciones de la Agencia Federal para el Manejo de Emergencia (FEMA por sus siglas en inglés) para ayudarles a recuperar sus vidas.

“Es importante para los sobrevivientes que usen ese dinero para su recuperación,” dijo el Oficial Coordinador Federal Albert Lewis, quien esta a cargo de los esfuerzos de recuperación de FEMA en Connecticut. “Con los días de fiesta acercándose, no sean tentados a usar parte de este dinero de maneras no intencionadas. No demore su recuperación; use este dinero sabiamente.”

El Dinero de FEMA para vivienda o asistencia para otras necesidades tiene que ser usado para alquiler, reparaciones al hogar, propiedad personal u otros gastos relacionados al desastre.

Oficiales de FEMA advierten a los sobrevivientes que han recibido subvenciones, que FEMA puede y se fija en el uso de fondos de subvenciones a través de auditorias; así que es esencial que todos los recibos de alquiler, materiales, mano de obra, etc., sea guardado en un lugar seguro.

Los sobrevivientes se pueden registrar en línea en cualquier momento del día o la noche en: www.disasterassistance.gov/espanol, o con un teléfono inteligente o dispositivo habilitado para la red en: m.fema.gov/esp. Los sobrevivientes también se pueden registrar por teléfono en cualquier momento llamando a FEMA al: 800-621-3362. El numero TTY es 800-462-7585. Operadores plurilingües están disponibles las 24 horas del día, siete días a la semana. La fecha límite para registrarse es diciembre 31, 2012.

El registrarse para asistencia por desastre con otras agencias u organizaciones, no registra a los sobrevivientes para asistencia por desastre con FEMA. El tener un seguro contra inundaciones de FEMA no registra a los asegurados a asistencia por desastre; las reclamaciones por inundación son manejadas separadamente.

Asistencia para recuperación por desastre está disponible sin distinción de raza, color, religión, nacionalidad, sexo, edad, discapacidad, destreza en inglés, o estatus económico. Si usted o alguien que usted conoce ha sido discriminado, llame a FEMA al número gratuito 800-621-FEMA (3362). Para TTY llame 800-462-7585.

La Administración Federal para el Desarrollo de la Pequeña Empresa (SBA por sus siglas en inglés) es la fuente principal de dinero del gobierno federal para la reconstrucción a largo plazo de propiedad privada dañada por desastres. SBA ayuda a propietarios de viviendas, arrendatarios, negocios de todos los tamaños, y organizaciones sin fines de lucro a financiar reparaciones o esfuerzos de reconstrucción y cubre el costo de remplazar propiedad personal perdida o dañada por el desastre. Estos préstamos por desastre cubren perdidas que no han sido completamente cubiertas por los seguros u otras indemnizaciones y no duplican beneficios de otras agencias u organizaciones.

La misión de FEMA es apoyar a nuestros ciudadanos y personal de primera respuesta para garantizar que como nación trabajemos juntos para construir, mantener y mejorar nuestra capacidad de prepararnos para, proteger contra, responder a, recuperarnos de y mitigar todos los peligro

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Utilice los Fondos por Desastre de FEMA Sabiamente

Fill Out Your Small Business Administration Loan Application This Thanksgiving Weekend

NEW YORK – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration (SBA) remind Hurricane Sandy survivors that the Thanksgiving weekend is a perfect time to fill out their SBA disaster loan applications.

An SBA disaster loan, which is part of the FEMA grant process, can help homeowners, renters and businesses cover any repair or rebuilding costs not covered by private insurance or cover disaster-related damage costs that exceed the initial estimate. Homeowners can receive loans of up to $200,000 to repair or replace their primary residences. Homeowners and renters may also borrow up to $40,000 to replace damaged or destroyed personal property including vehicles.

Businesses and private nonprofits can apply for loans of up to $2 million. Interest rates for businesses are as low as 4 percent to cover physical damage and economic injury caused by the disaster. For private nonprofits, interest rates are as low as 3 percent and for homeowners and renters the rates are as low as 1.688 percent with terms as long as 30 years.

Survivors who receive a low-interest disaster loan application from SBA after registering with FEMA should complete and return the application even if they do not plan to accept a loan. By completing the application, applicants may become eligible for additional grants from FEMA. By not completing and returning the applications, survivors could potentially be leaving recovery assistance money on the table.

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
18 SBA business recovery centers. To locate the nearest business recovery center, visit www.sba.gov or call 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339.) To find the nearest disaster recovery center, check out the disaster recovery center locator at www.FEMA.gov/disaster-recovery-centers or, with a tablet or smartphone, go to m.fema.gov. You may also text “DRC” and your Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA). For example, if you lived in Staten Island, you would text: “DRC 10301.” Or call 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585).

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 sending an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov or by visiting www.sba.gov

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Fill Out Your Small Business Administration Loan Application This Thanksgiving Weekend

Use FEMA Disaster Funds Wisely

WINDSOR, Conn. – As recovery from Hurricane Sandy progresses, survivors are receiving grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help pay for getting their lives back together.

“It is important for survivors to use this money for their recovery,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Albert Lewis, who is in charge of the FEMA recovery effort in Connecticut. “With the holidays approaching, don’t be tempted to use some of this money in ways it is not intended to be used. Don’t slow down your recovery; use this money wisely.”

Money from FEMA for housing or other needs assistance must be used for rent, home repair, personal property or other disaster-related expenses.

Disaster officials caution survivors who have received grants that FEMA can and does look at a survivor’s use of grant funds through audits, so it is essential all receipts for rent, materials, labor, etc., be kept in a safe place.

Survivors can register online anytime day or night at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or with a smartphone or web-enabled device at m.fema.gov. Survivors can also register by phone anytime by calling FEMA at 800-621-3362. The TTY number is 800-462-7585. Multilingual operators are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The deadline to register is Dec. 31, 2012.

Registering for disaster assistance with other agencies or organizations does not register survivors for FEMA disaster assistance. Having FEMA flood insurance does not register policyholders for disaster assistance; flood insurance claims are handled separately.

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Use FEMA Disaster Funds Wisely

Some Storm Damage May Not Be Obvious—Inspect Furnaces Thoroughly

WINDSOR, Conn. – Hurricanes roll through with strong winds and storm surges that leave an ugly path in their wake. But not all damage is immediate or obvious, so survivors who experienced high winds, flooding or water damage should check their furnaces thoroughly.

As cold weather continues, concerns about furnaces include:

Leaks in gas lines and oil pipes;
Corrosion of electrical wiring from exposure to salt water;
Problems with oil pumps moved or shaken by high winds or flooding;
Debris lodged in chimneys; and,
Sediment or mold that could blow into the house from ducts exposed to water.

“Recovery is a process that involves many steps, but don’t forget to think safety first,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Albert Lewis of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. “Local codes may require you to hire a licensed professional to check your wiring or gas lines, so check your local ordinances.”

For more information about recovering after the storm, visit a Disaster Recovery Center or check out the information online at www.ready.gov/recovering-disaster.

No matter how large or small the loss, anyone who experienced damage from Hurricane Sandy should register with FEMA. It does not matter whether the survivor has insurance or not, or is a homeowner or renter.

Survivors can register online anytime day or night at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or with a smartphone or device at m.fema.gov. Survivors can also register by phone anytime by calling FEMA at 800-621-3362. The TTY number is 800-462-7585. Multilingual operators are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, except for Thanksgiving Day when the hours are 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. The deadline to register is Dec. 31, 2012.

Having FEMA flood insurance does not register policyholders for disaster assistance.

Originally posted here:

Some Storm Damage May Not Be Obvious—Inspect Furnaces Thoroughly

Disaster Assistance Tops $76.3 Million in St. John Parish

BATON ROUGE, La. – Nearly three months since the Aug. 29 federal disaster declaration for Hurricane Isaac in Louisiana, more than $365 million in state and federal disaster assistance has been approved for the state. Disaster assistance for survivors in St. John Parish now totals $76,333,667.

St. John Parish by the Numbers

Number of survivors who registered for assistance with FEMA: 12,617

Amount of Housing Assistance approved: $22,877,141

Amount of Other Needs Assistance approved: $5,027,052

TOTAL Individual Assistance grants: $27,904,193

TOTAL Public Assistance obligations: $5,895,274

TOTAL U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans: $42,534,200

Timeline,

Aug. 27 – President Obama issued an Emergency Declaration in Louisiana, in advance of Hurricane Isaac, for emergency protective measures (Category B), limited to direct federal assistance under the Public Assistance program.

Aug. 29 – President Obama issued a federal disaster declaration for 35 parishes in Louisiana, including St. John. The declaration made Public Assistance (PA) funds available for reimbursement of costs for debris removal and emergency protective measures (Categories A & B), including direct federal assistance. A total of 55 parishes are now designated for PA.

Aug. 29 – The federal disaster declaration also made all parishes in the state eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

Aug. 31 – An amendment designated five parishes in Louisiana, including St. John, eligible for Individual Assistance (IA). With subsequent amendments, IA is now available in 26 parishes: Allen, Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Morehouse, Orleans, Plaquemines, Pointe Coupee, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Washington, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana.

Sept. 1 – A Disaster Recovery Center opened in St. John Parish at 1931 W. Airline Highway in LaPlace. A total of 9,043 people have visited the recovery center, making it the busiest for Hurricane Isaac in Louisiana. It will close permanently on Nov. 29.

Sept. 3 – FEMA, at the request of the state, activated the Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program, which allowed eligible evacuees from Hurricane Isaac who could not return to their homes to stay in hotels or motels until more suitable housing accommodations were available. The program was extended four times. Of the 5,877 St. John residents eligible for TSA, 895 checked into hotels under the program.

Sept. 13 – The SBA opened a Business Recovery Center in LaPlace, St. John Parish, to provide information about low-interest disaster loans to local businesses and to assist with applications.

Sept. 21 – FEMA extended the PA program in eight parishes, including St. John, to include supplemental funding for infrastructure repairs in the wake of Hurricane Isaac. Applicants in St. John are now eligible to apply for the full range of PA funding (Categories A-G).

Sept. 26 – FEMA approved supplemental funding for debris removal from qualified private properties in St. John Parish. Debris removal from private property is generally not eligible for FEMA funding, but funding was approved for St. John because the debris on residential and private business property was so widespread that public health, safety and the economic recovery of the community were threatened.

Survivors in St. John Parish affected by Hurricane Isaac can apply for disaster assistance until the Nov. 29 deadline. They may apply online at www.disasterassistance.gov, at m.fema.gov with a smartphone, or by phone at 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585. Survivors who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 800-621-3362.

For more information on Louisiana disaster recovery, click www.fema.gov/disaster/4080 or www.gohsep.la.gov. You can follow FEMA on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA. Also visit our blog at www.fema.gov/blog.

SBA is the federal government’s primary source of funding for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts, and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For information about SBA programs, applicants may call 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339).

Original source:

Disaster Assistance Tops $76.3 Million in St. John Parish

Disaster Assistance Nears $4.3 Million in Terrebonne Parish

Terrebonne Parish by the Numbers

Number of survivors who registered for assistance with FEMA: 3,797

Amount of Housing Assistance approved: $2,911,445

Amount of Other Needs Assistance approved: $357,285

TOTAL Individual Assistance grants: $3,268,730

TOTAL Public Assistance obligations: $339,825

TOTAL U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans: $668,100

Timeline

Aug. 29 – President Obama issued a federal disaster declaration for 35 parishes in Louisiana, including Terrebonne. The declaration made Public Assistance (PA) funds available for reimbursement of costs for debris removal and emergency protective measures (Categories A & B), including direct federal assistance. A total of 55 parishes are now designated for PA.

Aug. 29 – The federal disaster declaration also made all parishes in the state eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

Sept. 3 – FEMA, at the request of the state, activated the Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program, which allowed eligible evacuees from Hurricane Isaac who could not return to their homes to stay in hotels or motels until more suitable housing accommodations were available. The program was extended four times. Of the 209 Terrebonne residents eligible for TSA, 42 checked into hotels in the program.

Sept. 6 – An amendment designated five parishes in Louisiana, including Terrebonne, eligible for Individual Assistance (IA). With subsequent amendments, IA is now available in 26 parishes: Allen, Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Morehouse, Orleans, Plaquemines, Pointe Coupee, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Washington, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana.

Sept. 12 – FEMA extended the PA program in 14 parishes, including Terrebonne, to include supplemental funding for infrastructure repairs in the wake of Hurricane Isaac. Applicants in Terrebonne are now eligible to apply for the full range of PA funding (Categories A-G).

Sept. 13 – The first of two Disaster Recovery Centers in Terrebonne Parish opened in Houma. Before the last one closed Oct. 30, a total of 826 people had visited the recovery centers in the parish.

Oct. 15 – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Coast Guard, in coordination with the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, began removing barrels, drums and other potentially hazardous containers in six parishes, including Terrebonne. The program is funded by FEMA and the state.

Survivors in Terrebonne Parish affected by Hurricane Isaac can apply for disaster assistance until the Nov. 29 deadline. They may apply online at www.disasterassistance.gov, at m.fema.gov with a smartphone, or by phone at 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585. Survivors who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 800-621-3362.

Source:

Disaster Assistance Nears $4.3 Million in Terrebonne Parish

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