NORTH LITTLE ROCK – Residents of 11 Arkansas counties who suffered damage from the severe storms of December – January have only until Tuesday, April 5, 2016 to register for federal disaster assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration.

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

Residents of Benton, Carroll, Crawford, Faulkner, Jackson, Jefferson, Lee, Little River, Perry, Sebastian and Sevier counties may be eligible for assistance.

The first step is register:

  • Call 800-621-3362 (FEMA). If you are deaf, hard-of-hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585. If you use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS), call 800-621-3362.
  • Go to www.disasterassistance.gov.

The toll free lines operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available to help with residential and business losses not covered by insurance. 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. Applying for these loans is also a way to qualify for other avenues of assistance.

The SBA offers online an application through its Electronic Loan Application site at https://DisasterLoan.SBA.gov/ela. Survivors can contact the SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955, email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visit the SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Individuals with a speech disability, are deaf or hard-of-hearing, may call TTY (800) 877-8339.

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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.

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Deadline to Register for Disaster Assistance is April 5

BATON ROUGE, La. – State and federal emergency management officials encourage Louisiana flood survivors to begin repairs as soon as they can.

Flood survivors do not need to wait for a visit from the Federal Emergency Management Agency or their insurance company to start cleaning up and make repairs. FEMA inspectors and insurance claims adjusters will be able to verify flood damage even after cleaning has begun.

It’s important for survivors to take photographs of damage and keep recovery-related receipts. Insurance companies may need both items, while FEMA may need receipts.

Survivors should check for structural damage before entering their homes and report any damage to local officials. They should also immediately throw away wet contents like bedding, carpeting and furniture because of health issues that may arise with mold.

Emergency management officials encourage survivors to register for FEMA assistance as soon as they can. They only need to register once and only one registration is allowed per household. Once registered, survivors should keep in touch with FEMA and update contact information if it changes.

FEMA assistance may help eligible homeowners and renters pay for a temporary place to stay, make repairs or replace certain damaged contents.

Individuals can register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling toll-free 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Multilingual operators are available.

Survivors who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585. Survivors who use 711 or Video Relay Service or require accommodations while visiting a center may call 800-621-3362.

FEMA assistance is not taxable, doesn’t need to be repaid and doesn’t affect other government benefits.

Those who are referred to the U.S. Small Business Administration should complete and return the application for a low-interest disaster loan. It is not required to accept a loan offer but returning a completed application is necessary for FEMA to consider survivors for certain forms of disaster assistance.

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We urge everyone to continue to use caution in areas where floodwaters remain. Monitor DOTD’s www.511la.org website for updated road closure information. Look for advisories from your local authorities and emergency managers. You can find the latest information on the state’s response at www.emergency.la.gov. GOHSEP also provides information on Facebook and Twitter. You can receive emergency alerts on most smartphones and tablets by downloading the new Alert FM App.  It is free for basic service.  You can also download the Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Guide and find other information at www.getagameplan.org.

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 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/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

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 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 Web site at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800)877-8339.

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It’s Not Too Early to Begin Flood Clean Up after Louisiana Floods

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missourians in 33 counties designated for individual assistance have only 10 days left to register for federal disaster assistance. The final day to register is Monday, March 21, 2016.

Survivors may be eligible for grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

  • FEMA grants may help eligible individuals and families pay for rent if the disaster displaced them from their homes, make basic home repairs, or cover other disaster-related losses.
  • SBA low-interest disaster loans may help businesses of all sizes, most nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters. 

Survivors can register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling toll-free 800-621-3362 (FEMA), 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Multilingual registration assistance is available. They may also register using the FEMA app for smartphones.

Disaster assistance applicants who are hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use TTY should call 800-462-7585. Those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS) should call 800-621-3362.

The federal disaster declaration covers eligible losses caused by flooding and severe storms between December 23, 2015, and January 9, 2016, in these counties: Barry, Barton, Camden, Cape Girardeau, Cole, Crawford, Franklin, Gasconade, Greene, Hickory, Jasper, Jefferson, Laclede, Lawrence, Lincoln, Maries, McDonald, Morgan, Newton, Osage, Phelps, Polk, Pulaski, Scott, St. Charles, St. Francois, St. Louis, Ste. Genevieve, Stone, Taney, Texas, Webster and Wright.

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For breaking news about flood recovery, follow FEMA Region 7 on Twitter at https://twitter.com/femaregion7 and turn on mobile notifications or visit the FEMA web pages dedicated to this disaster at www.fema.gov/disaster/4250.

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.

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).

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.

Continued here:  

Monday, March 21, is the final day to register for federal assistance

OXFORD, Miss. – The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency encourage survivors of the December storms, tornadoes and flooding in Mississippi to keep their recovery process on track by calling the FEMA helpline. The deadline to register with FEMA was March 4, but survivors can still call to check on the status of their applications, appeal decisions, update contact information, or ask questions about the process.

The FEMA helpline number is 800-621-3362, which is video relay service 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.

Disaster survivors who registered before the deadline and discover that their insurance has not covered all losses have up to a year to submit additional documentation to FEMA. Assistance may be available for expenses not covered by insurance.

Applicants receiving temporary rental assistance will need to update their permanent housing plan and may need to document the need for continuing rental assistance. FEMA expects all families who receive temporary rental assistance to return to their damaged home when it is repaired or to locate and occupy affordable housing without FEMA rental assistance when possible to do so. 

Questions about U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loans should be directed to SBA at 800-659-2955 or TTY 800-877-8339, or by emailing DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov.    

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, FEMA and SBA have approved more than $5.7 million in total state and federal assistance for renters, homeowners and businesses in Mississippi as a result of the December storms, tornadoes and flooding.

  • $3.1 million in low-interest SBA disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses.
  • Nearly $2.6 million in MEMA/FEMA Individual Assistance, including:
    • $2.15 million for housing assistance, including money for repairing or rebuilding homes and temporary rental assistance.
    • $431,000 to help cover other disaster-related expenses such as repairing or replacing lost personal property and disaster-related medical, dental and funeral costs.
  • 1,256 survivor households contacted FEMA for help or information regarding disaster assistance.
  • 931 housing inspections were completed.

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

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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Mississippi Disaster Survivors: Stay in Touch With FEMA to Keep Recovery Going

NORTH LITTLE ROCK – Undocumented immigrants who are parents or guardians of minor children who are U.S. citizens in the federally-declared Arkansas disaster area may apply for disaster aid on behalf of their child, according to the FEMA.

Residents of Benton, Carroll, Crawford, Faulkner, Jackson, Jefferson, Lee, Little River, Perry, Sebastian and Sevier counties affected by the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding during the period Dec. 26 – Jan. 22, 2016 may be eligible for disaster aid and are encouraged to register for assistance with FEMA.

To register, go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call 800-621-3362 (FEMA). Multilingual operators are available. Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability, are deaf or hard of hearing and use TTY should call 800-462-7585; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service, call 800-621-3362.

FEMA collects only the information the agency needs to process the application. That information is confidential. However, FEMA shares that information with the state and designated agencies that provide disaster assistance.

FEMA can supply contacts for other assistance programs — those operated by local volunteer organizations such an American Red Cross chapter — that may help.

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 (FEMA). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

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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.

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Undocumented Immigrants May Qualify for Some Disaster Aid on Child’s Behalf

JEFERSON CITY, Mo. – Midnight on March 21, 2016, is the deadline for Missourians in the 33 counties designated for federal aid due to losses from the severe storms and flooding Dec. 23, 2015, to Jan. 9, 2016, to register for two types of federal assistance.

Grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) help eligible individuals and families pay for rent if the disaster displaced them from their homes, make basic home repairs, or cover other serious disaster-related losses. Both property owners and renters may be eligible. These grants do not have to be repaid.

Low interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are the main form of federal assistance following a disaster. SBA makes disaster loans available to businesses of all sizes, most nonprofit organizations, homeowners, and renters. Without a loan, many of those with disaster losses would be unable to rebuild and recover.

People with insurance are among those encouraged to register, as they may find after the deadline that FEMA can help them with losses their insurance doesn’t cover. Similarly, even individuals who have minor damage should register, because they may find out after the deadline passes that their repairs are more extensive than originally expected.

Register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling toll-free 800-621-3362 (FEMA),

7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice. Multilingual registration assistance is available. Survivors may also register using the fema.gov app for smartphones.

Disaster assistance applicants who are hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use TTY should call 800-462-7585. Those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS) should call 800-621-3362.

Several disaster recovery centers remain open in Missouri where in-person assistance is available from FEMA and SBA. Locations of recovery centers may be found through a link from the home page of fema.gov/drc.

The federal disaster declaration covers eligible losses caused by flooding and severe storms between December 23, 2015, and January 9, 2016, in these counties: Barry, Barton, Camden, Cape Girardeau, Cole, Crawford, Franklin, Gasconade, Greene, Hickory, Jasper, Jefferson, Laclede, Lawrence, Lincoln, Maries, McDonald, Morgan, Newton, Osage, Phelps, Polk, Pulaski, Scott, St. Charles, St. Francois, St. Louis, Ste. Genevieve, Stone, Taney, Texas, Webster and Wright.

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For breaking news about flood recovery, follow FEMA Region 7 on Twitter at https://twitter.com/femaregion7 and turn on mobile notifications or visit the FEMA web pages dedicated to this disaster at www.fema.gov/disaster/4250.

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.

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).

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.

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March 21 is Deadline to Register for Federal Disaster Aid

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – As you read through the paperwork related to disaster recovery, the last thing you may want to hear is that you will receive another letter. However, if you registered with FEMA for assistance, you will receive a determination letter from the agency’s Individuals and Households Program.

As you review this letter, it may bring you news explaining what types of disaster assistance you will receive. It may, instead, tell you that you are ineligible for assistance or that FEMA needs more information.

Sometimes, this can be easily corrected. The difference between a “no” and a “yes” may be as simple as signing documents, furnishing insurance settlement information or fixing an error on your application.

If you have any questions about your letter or what steps you need to take, you can call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 (800-621-FEMA) or TTY 800-462-7585. If you use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services, call 800-621-3362; the toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week, until further notice.

You also can visit a DRC where FEMA specialists can help with appeals, answer questions, review applications and accept required documents. A list of open DRCs is available online at: fema.gov/drc.

You can appeal the decision in writing within 60 days from the date shown on the determination letter. Signed and dated appeals should be mailed to:

FEMA-Appeals Officer

National Processing Service Center

P.O. Box 10055

Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055

 

Appeals may be faxed to 1-800-827-8112.

If you are not eligible for FEMA assistance, you may be eligible for other programs such as an SBA low-interest disaster loan or help from volunteer agencies.

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For breaking news about flood recovery, follow FEMA Region 7 on Twitter at https://twitter.com/femaregion7 and turn on mobile notifications or visit the FEMA web pages dedicated to this disaster at www.fema.gov/disaster/4250.

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.

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).

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.

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Understanding the Letter You Receive from FEMA

AUSTIN, Texas – So, you and your family survived the big storm.

The water has been pumped out of your basement. Your walls and floors are dry. Your roof seems to be intact. Your electrical appliances are working fine. And your flood-soaked refuse has been removed to the landfill. You are grateful it’s all over. But is it really? Ask yourself, “Are my house and property ready for the next big one? Will my family be safe the next time we flood?”

Mitigation experts at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) say there is no better time than now for homeowners to start thinking about what can be done to prepare for the next flood.

For the big jobs, homeowners will want to hire a reputable licensed contractor. FEMA mitigation officials suggest getting bids from two or three contractors. And ask for references. Many other repairs may be easy work for handy do-it-yourselfers. Tasks like relocating basement or first floor electrical equipment and appliances, however, may require the help of a professional.

Start with the main circuit breaker or fuse box. Move it up to at least 12 inches above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) for your home or building. Your insurance agent or local flood plain administrator will be able to tell you what that number is.

Check with your local building department. If the electrical code allows, raise electrical outlets and switches above flood level.                                                                                                                                

If you need to replace a flood-damaged furnace, water heater or air conditioner, have the new one installed on a higher floor. If your air conditioner or heat pump is outdoors, install it on a raised platform. Place washers and dryers on blocks, making sure they will not vibrate off the blocks during use. A 1- or 2-foot waterproof floodwall around appliances will protect them from shallow flooding.

More do-it-yourself tips for repairing flood-damaged buildings:

  • Walls. If the wallboard and insulation were removed, wash and disinfect the exposed vertical wooden studs, and the horizontal wooden sills at their base. If rebuilding, consider metal studs and sills as they are less damaged by water than wooden ones.

  • Wallboard. If you install the wall board horizontally (4 feet high), you’ll only have to replace half the wall if the next flood is less than 4 feet deep. Leave the wall open 1 inch above the sill. The baseboards will hide the gap, and all you have to do after the next flood is remove the baseboard and the wall cavity will drain freely and air will circulate better.
  • Floors. Particle board or plywood fall apart when wet for lengthy periods. Floor joists and some wood floors regain their shape when naturally dried. Use screws or screw nails on floors and stairs to minimize warping. Completely dry subflooring before laying new flooring or carpeting. Renail, then sand or place a new underlayment for a new floor.

  • Paints. Completely dry the surface before painting. This may take several weeks, but paint will peel if applied over a damp surface. Coat concrete surfaces with penetrating sealer for easier future cleanup.

  • Windows and Doors. When appropriate, replace flood damaged windows with vinyl or metal framed windows. Hollow core or polysty­rene foam filled metal doors are water resistant.

Despite all that you have done, natural disasters are unpredictable, and even the best preparations may not hold up in the next flood.

The first step in moving on after a flood is getting rid of damaged or destroyed personal property that can’t or should not be saved. FEMA mitigation experts tell flood survivors to always throw out flood-dirtied cosmetics, medicines, stuffed animals, baby toys and food that may be spoiled. It’s also a good idea to get rid of mattresses, pillows, rugs, books and other paper products. Should you throw away this or that? Good advice from one FEMA mitigation specialist: If you have to ask, throw it away.

Next, dry out your house – lower the humidity. Open doors and windows to let fresh air circulate. Open closet and cabinet doors; remove drawers from their cabinets. Run dehumidifiers and fans. Give your housed plenty of time to dry. The rule of thumb is, if it takes one week for visible moisture to disappear, it will take at least another week for unseen parts to dry.

Alternatively, you may want to turn the job over to a flooding and storm damage professional. Go online to search “water damage restoration” or “dehumidifying.”

For more ideas on reducing flood loss, view FEMA’s booklet, “Protecting Your Home and Family From Flood Damage,” at https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/21471  .

Texas homeowners and renters who have registered for disaster assistance with FEMA are encouraged by recovery officials to “stay in touch.” Applicants changing their address or phone numbers should update that information with FEMA. Missing or erroneous information could result in delays getting a home inspection or in receiving assistance.

Survivors with questions regarding their application for disaster assistance, or a pending appeal, should visit DisasterAssistance.gov or call the FEMA Helpline (voice, 711 or relay service) at 800-621-3362. (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.

For more information on Texas recovery, visit the disaster web page at www.fema.gov/disaster/4245, Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem.                            

                                                   
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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).

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. 

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

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After the Flood: What Texans Need to Do to Prepare For the Next Disaster

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – After the severe storms and flooding that occurred in Missouri between December 23, 2015 and January 9, 2016, residents in the 33 declared counties became eligible for federal assistance. People who suffered losses and damage in the wake of the disaster are urged to seek help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The eligible counties are Barry, Barton, Camden, Cape Girardeau, Cole, Crawford, Franklin, Gasconade, Greene, Hickory, Jasper, Jefferson, Laclede, Lawrence, Lincoln, Maries, McDonald, Morgan, Newton, Osage, Phelps, Polk, Pulaski, Scott, St. Charles, St. Francois, St. Louis, Ste. Genevieve, Stone, Taney, Texas, Webster and Wright.

There are many misconceptions about getting help from FEMA. Often, people who would qualify for assistance miss out on assistance because they don’t have access to correct information.

Commonly asked questions about disaster aid from FEMA:

Q: Who should apply for federal disaster assistance?
A: Missouri homeowners and renters in disaster-designated counties who sustained damage to their homes, vehicles or personal property as a result of the severe storms and flooding from December 23, 2015 through January 9, 2016 can apply for FEMA grants.

Q: How do I apply?
A: Residents who were affected can apply for assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.  Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 800-621-3362. The application deadline is March 21.

Q: What kinds of FEMA grants are available?
A: Disaster assistance may include grants to help pay for temporary housing, emergency home repairs, uninsured and underinsured personal property losses and medical, dental and funeral expenses caused by the disaster, along with other serious disaster-related expenses.

Q: What happens after I register?
A: You will receive a phone call from a FEMA inspector to arrange for a survey of the damages. This will come just days after you register. All FEMA inspectors will have official identification. They do not approve or deny claims or requests; those come after the inspection results are submitted. FEMA inspectors do not ask for money and do not recommend contractors to make repairs.

Q.  I’ve already cleaned up and made repairs to my property.  Am I still eligible to register with FEMA?
A.  Yes. You may be eligible for reimbursement of your clean-up and repair expenses. Before and after photos of the damaged property can help expedite your application for assistance.

Q: Does my income need to be under a certain dollar amount to qualify for disaster aid?
A: FEMA’s Housing Assistance program is available, regardless of income, to anyone who suffered damages or losses in disaster-declared counties. However, aid for other losses such as personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses is income-dependent and officials make decisions on a case-by-case basis. To be considered for a grant for these types of losses, the applicant must complete an application for an SBA loan.  

Q.  I have flood insurance.  Should I still register with FEMA?
A.  Yes.  But please contact your insurance company first.

Q: Does the Small Business Administration (SBA) offer loans to homeowners and renters?
A: Yes. The SBA is the primary source of financial assistance following a disaster and provides low-interest disaster loans to homeowners and renters.

Q: Do I have to be turned down by my bank before I can apply for a disaster loan?
A: No. The SBA has its own criteria for determining each loan applicant’s eligibility.

Q: If I rent an apartment, can I get help to replace my damaged personal property?
A: Yes. Renters may qualify for a FEMA grant. Renters may also qualify for SBA disaster loans.

Q: Will FEMA pay for all home repairs or contract work?
A: No. FEMA does not pay to return your home to its pre-disaster condition. FEMA provides grants to qualified homeowners to repair damage not covered by insurance, but these grants may not pay for all the damage. However, an SBA disaster loan may return a home to its pre-disaster condition.

Q: Do I have to repay money I receive for disaster relief?
A: No. You do not have to repay grant money, however SBA disaster loans must be repaid.

Q: Do I have to be a legal U.S. resident to receive Individual Assistance?
A:
No. If you have a child living at home who is a U.S. citizen or a qualified alien, you may apply for Individual Assistance on that child’s behalf and you may be eligible to receive Individual Assistance. FEMA may provide undocumented, eligible immigrants with short-term, non-cash emergency aid.

Q: How can I check the status of my case?
A: You may go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call the toll-free FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (FEMA) or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. If you need face-to-face assistance, visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) or speak with someone from one of FEMA’s Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams currently going door-to-door in Missouri’s disaster-declared counties. All DRCs are accessible and equipped with tools to accommodate disaster survivors who need disability related communication aids.

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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). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

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/femaregion7.

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.

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Commonly Asked Questions about Federal Disaster Aid

OXFORD, Miss. – December storm survivors in Monroe and Prentiss counties have until Friday, Jan. 29, to visit the applicant service centers in Amory and Booneville.

The centers are open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the following locations: 

  • Prentiss County Election Office 102 N. Main St. in Booneville (across from the courthouse)
  • Becker Community Center, 52246 Hwy. 25 South in Amory

Many services available at the applicant service centers are also available by calling the FEMA helpline. Survivors can get help by calling FEMA’s helpline at 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585 for the deaf, hard of hearing and speech impaired. Those who use 711 or Video Relay Services can call 800-621-3362. Lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

Survivors can also use the helpline to register with FEMA. Online registration can be done by computer, tablet, iPhone, Android or other mobile devices at DisasterAssistance.gov. The deadline for December storm survivors in Mississippi to register with FEMA is March 4, 2016.

Survivors can also use the helpline to:

  • Ask questions about a letter from FEMA.
  • Learn how to appeal a FEMA decision. All applicants may appeal.
  • Inquire about the status of a registration.
  • Provide change of address, telephone and bank account numbers and insurance information to avoid disaster assistance processing delays.
  • Receive information about FEMA home inspections.
  • Get other questions answered about federal disaster assistance.

Applicants should have their nine-digit FEMA registration number and zip code if they want to discuss their application.

Survivors may still visit other recovery centers to ask disaster assistance questions. The remaining centers are located in Benton County (the Ashland Fire Department on Third St.), Marshall County (the Spring Hollow Plaza in Holly Springs) and Quitman County (the Marks Fire Department on W. Main St.).

For the latest information on Mississippi disaster recovery operations, visit msema.org and fema.gov/disaster/4248.

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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.

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).

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FEMA Applicant Service Centers in Amory, Booneville, Closing Friday

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