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SBA Loans Valuable for Recovery from Disaster

BATON ROUGE, La. — Submit your U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster loan application now to prevent missing out on potential funding for your recovery.

An SBA loan can help repair flood-related damage to your home or business and replace personal property. SBA representatives provide one-on-one assistance through the entire disaster loan process to assist in your recovery.

Landlords and most private non-profits, including churches, are eligible for low-interest SBA disaster loans. State and federal recovery officials encourage them to apply.

A loan offer provides the financial resources to pay for repairs if the SBA approves your application. You are under no obligation to accept the loan if approved.

You must return a completed SBA disaster loan application by Monday, Nov. 14, if you want to borrow money for repairs.

It is a critical recovery step to return a loan application. The SBA may refer you back to FEMA for other potential grants if they cannot offer you a loan. The grants may pay for flood-damaged furniture, appliances and vehicles.

The SBA provides low-interest disaster loans of up to $200,000 to repair your primary residence, up to $40,000 for homeowners and renters to replace personal property and up to $2 million to businesses and most private non-profits for physical damage and economic injury needs as a result of the disaster.

Learn more and visit sba.gov/disaster or call 800-659-2955 or TTY 800-877-8339. If you use 711 or Video Relay Service, call 800-659-2955.

SBA Loans Valuable for Recovery from Disaster

Survivors Can Help Avoid Delays in the Manufactured Housing Unit Process

BATON ROUGE, La. –Louisiana disaster survivors who are eligible for Manufactured Housing Units (MHUs) can help FEMA make the process go as smoothly as possible.

If you’re eligible for an MHU, FEMA will contact you to schedule a site inspection if you want to place a unit on your property. Keep in mind the following steps to avoid slowing the process:

Be available. You must be present for a site inspection. FEMA will arrange to place an MHU on your property if the agency determines it is feasible. A FEMA representative will provide information during the inspection process so you can contact them if you have questions about the status of your MHU.
Contact your power company to install a second service and meter on your property. Your parish or city will then inspect the installation and notify the power company that power may be turned on. Tell the power company it is for a FEMA MHU installation.
Help FEMA obtain right-of-entry from your neighbors. FEMA may need permission to trench utility lines or gain access to the site.

If defects are discovered in the air-conditioner, water, lighting, toilets or other parts of the unit, FEMA must repair them before turning over the keys to you. FEMA will also arrange for safety modifications such as elevation and anchoring.

MHUs are a last resort for survivors whose primary home is uninhabitable, have uninsured housing needs, and have no practicable temporary housing options within a reasonable commuting distance.

FEMA has expanded its services to accommodate your questions about MHUs. Call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use TTY, call 800-462-7585. If you use 711 or Video Relay Service, call 800-621-3362. You may also visit their closest disaster recovery center by going online to fema.gov/drc or by calling the FEMA helpline.

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Survivors Can Help Avoid Delays in the Manufactured Housing Unit Process

Contact Local Officials About Substantial Damage and Permits Before Starting Work

BATON ROUGE, La.— Move your recovery forward and get informed to make sure you invest resources properly and rebuild or repair wisely.

Contact your community’s floodplain management or building officials to start the inspection process to determine if your home or business is substantially damaged. Also get the proper permits for things like plumbing, electrical system, foundation and structural repairs.

Substantial damage exists in Special Flood Hazard Areas, or floodplains—areas that have increased flooding risks— when the cost of restoring a structure equals or exceeds 50 percent of the structure’s pre-damage market value. However, some communities enforce a more restrictive definition.

It’s important to know the structural damage percentage of your home or business because that information helps determine the work needed to repair or replace the damaged structure. It also helps determine if additional work will be needed to comply with local codes and ordinances.

You may appeal a substantial damage determination with your local officials if you disagree with their decision.

A structure located in a floodplain must be brought into compliance with local regulations if a local official determines it is substantially damaged. Local building departments may have adopted standards higher than FEMA’s that property owners would have to comply with when rebuilding.

Owners who decide to rebuild may need to elevate their structures, or change them in some other way to comply with local regulations and avoid future flood losses. Those who own non-residential structures may need to flood-proof their building.

Contact Local Officials About Substantial Damage and Permits,

Property owners who have flood insurance and a substantially damaged building in a floodplain may be able to get additional funds for costs related to complying with local regulations. Contact your insurance agent for more information.

Your parish emergency management office can assist with contacting your community’s floodplain management or building officials. Find their contact information online at www.gohsep.la.gov/about/parishpa.

If you have specific questions about your flood insurance policy or flood insurance claim, please call the FEMA call center at 800-621-3362 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and select Option 2. If you use TTY, call 800-462-7585. If you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

Learn more about mitigation by going online to fema.gov/Louisiana-disaster-mitigation.

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Contact Local Officials About Substantial Damage and Permits Before Starting Work

Louisiana Disaster Assistance Applicants: Understand FEMA Determination Letters and How to Appeal Them

BATON ROUGE, La.— A quick fix may change your decision if you applied for FEMA help following Louisiana’s August severe storms and floods and you disagree with your determination letter.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

Everybody has a right to appeal. Read your determination letter carefully to understand FEMA’s decision and know exactly what you need to do for your appeal.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

Many times applicants just need to submit some extra documents for FEMA to process their application. FEMA can reconsider you in some cases if you:

Submit insurance documents. Provide documents from your insurance company that detail your coverage or settlement is insufficient to make essential home repairs, provide a place to stay, or replace certain contents. FEMA cannot duplicate homeowner or renter insurance benefits.
Prove occupancy. Provide documents that prove the damaged home or rental was your primary residence by supplying a copy of utility bills, driver’s license or lease.
Prove ownership. Provide documents such as mortgage or insurance documents, tax receipts or a deed. If you don’t have a deed handy, contact your local or parish officials about obtaining a copy.

There are many other reasons you may disagree with FEMA’s decision. If you feel the amount or type of assistance is incorrect, submit an appeal letter and any documents to support your claim, including a contractor’s estimate for home repairs. You should have received a booklet called “Help After a Disaster” that explains what you need to provide for your situation. The booklet is available online at www.fema.gov/help-after-disaster.

Your letter should also include:

Your full name
Your registration number on all pages
The FEMA disaster declaration number—DR-4277-LA—on all pages
Your signature

Mail documents and your letter within 60 days of receiving your determination letter to:

FEMA National Processing Service Center

P.O. Box 10055

Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055

You can also submit them online at disasterassistance.gov or fax them to 800-827-8112.

If you have any questions about submitting insurance documents, proving occupancy or ownership, or anything else about your determination letter, you may call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use TTY, call 800-462-7585. Those who use 711 or Video Relay Service can call 800-621-3362. Lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. You can also visit a Louisiana disaster recovery center and speak with a disaster assistance representative. Locate your closest center by going online to fema.gov/drc or by calling the FEMA helpline.

What to do if you disagree with FEMA’s decision letter1. Read the letter carefully to find out why the decision was made.Do you need to provide additional information?• Insurance determination letter.• Proof of occupancy or ownership.• Proof of ID.• Applicant’s signature.Common reasons for the initial decision:• The damage was to a secondary home or a rental property, not a primary residence.• Someone else in the household applied and received assistance.• Disaster-related losses could not be verified.• Insurance covered all losses.2. Contact FEMA for help with filing an appeal or any questions.Call800-621-3362 (711 or Video Relay Service available)800-462-7585 (TTY)VisitA Disaster Recovery Center3. File a written appeal.Explain why you think the decision was not correct.• Provide supporting information and documents.• Include your FEMA registration number on all documents.• Sign the letter.Mail or fax your appeal within 60 days of the decision letter date, or drop it off at a Disaster Recovery Center.

This graphic explains the appeals process for individuals who’ve applied for disaster assistance.

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Louisiana Disaster Assistance Applicants: Understand FEMA Determination Letters and How to Appeal Them

College Students May Qualify for Disaster Assistance

BATON ROUGE, La. – Students at Louisiana colleges or universities in areas affected by the August flooding may be eligible for FEMA disaster grants to help with damage to or losses of personal vehicles, clothing, text books and school supplies.

Disaster assistance loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available up to $40,000 for personal property loss of vehicles, furniture and other personal items.

Students do not need to be permanent residents of the designated parishes to be eligible for assistance. However, the property damage or loss must have occurred in a flooded area.

To apply:

Call FEMA’s toll-free registration number, 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY at 800-462-7585; for 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362. Multilingual operators are available.
Go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

Disaster recovery centers are open in various locations throughout designated parishes that were flooded. Representatives of FEMA and other agencies can provide information about disaster assistance, flood insurance, personal and property flood-risk reduction and low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses.

Locate a center by visiting fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers, calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362, or downloading the FEMA mobile app.

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College Students May Qualify for Disaster Assistance

Applying for Federal Disaster Assistance Usually Takes Two Steps

BATON ROUGE, La. – Are you a homeowner or renter whose home is uninhabitable or who lost valuables because of Louisiana’s recent severe storms and floods? It takes two steps to get possible federal help for these losses.

Step one: Apply for FEMA help.

Step two: Return a completed application for a low-interest disaster loan if you were referred to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) after applying with FEMA.

FEMA cannot make you whole, but it may help your recovery move forward by providing grants for basic repairs to make your home safe, sanitary and secure. They may also temporarily help with a place for you and your family to stay while you build your own recovery plan.

The SBA may contact you with information about low-interest disaster loans for homeowners and renters after you apply for FEMA help. There’s no obligation to accept a loan offer, but you’ll miss out on the largest source of federal disaster recovery funds for survivors if you don’t complete an application.

You may also miss out on FEMA grants to replace certain household items, repair or replace a damaged vehicle, and moving and storage costs. The only way FEMA can consider you for this help is if you submit a completed SBA disaster loan application.

If you’re a homeowner or renter who had severe storm or flood damage in Louisiana, you may still register for federal help by going online to disasterassistance.gov or by downloading and using the FEMA app. 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.

Information about low-interest SBA disaster loans and application forms are available online at SBA.gov/disaster. You may also call 800-659-2955 or email DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov. If you use TTY, call 800-877-8339.

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Applying for Federal Disaster Assistance Usually Takes Two Steps

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

FEMA Speaks Your Language

BATON ROUGE, La. – If you or someone you know wants to apply for federal disaster assistance, the Federal Emergency Management Agency probably can provide a translator or interpreter who speaks your language.

When you call the FEMA helpline, 800-621-3362, you will be asked in English to press “1” for English, or in Spanish, to press “2” for Spanish. If you do not press “1” or “2”, and do not hang up, an English-speaking registration assistant will answer and a language translator will be brought on line to assist the caller in registering for FEMA assistance. FEMA is able to provide translators for most languages.

To register, go online to DisasterAssistance.gov or call the FEMA helpline. Help is available in most languages and phone lines are open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice. An American Sign Language interpreter can be made available at the Disaster Recovery Center when you visit.

Disaster survivors who are deaf, hard-of-hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585 to register. Those who use 711 or Video Relay Service may call 800-621-3362. All disaster recovery centers are accessible and equipped with tools to accommodate disaster survivors who need disability-related communication aids. Each disaster recovery center provides communication accessibility tools for people with communication disabilities.

For information call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 or go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov or www.fema.gov/disaster/4277.

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FEMA Speaks Your Language

FEMA Ensures Texans with Disabilities, Access Needs Can Register For Disaster Aid

AUSTIN, Texas—Texans who have a disability or access need and sustained damage or losses from the May storms and flooding may face challenges, but registering for federal aid shouldn’t be one of them.

“We reach out to the entire community,” said Federal Coordinating Officer William J. Doran III, who is in charge of FEMA’s operations in Texas. “And FEMA works with our partners to make sure that everybody can get access to disaster assistance information, programs and registration.”

FEMA’s disaster recovery centers – locations where survivors can meet face-to-face with various agencies and service providers – accommodate the needs of the entire community, including people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs.

The centers meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards; have assistive technology equipment that allows disaster survivors to use amplified telephones; phones that display text; amplified listening devices for people with hearing loss; and magnifiers for people with vision loss.

Some disaster recovery centers use a video relay service available to people who use American Sign Language, allowing them to communicate through an interpreter when registering for disaster assistance. Others make an ASL translator available at the center. In addition, language applications are used for translation.

Federal assistance is available to eligible individuals and households in Austin, Bastrop, Brazoria, Brazos, Burleson, Eastland, Fort Bend, Grimes, Hidalgo, Hood, Lee, Liberty, Montgomery, San Jacinto, Stephens, Travis, Tyler, Waller and Washington counties. To find the nearest disaster recovery center, go online to asd.fema.gov/inter/locator.

In addition to accommodating people with disabilities or access needs, FEMA also reaches out to people with limited English proficiency by providing multilingual operators, making printed literature available in multiple languages and having translators available in the field. Printed materials are available in accessible formats such as Braille and large print.

Texans can register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone at 800-621-3362 (FEMA). Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may also call 800-621-3362. Persons 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 10 p.m., seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

For more information on the Texas recovery, visit the disaster webpage for the May storms at fema.gov/disaster/4272; or visit the Texas Division of Emergency Management website at txdps.state.tx.us/dem. Follow us on Twitter @femaregion6.

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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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FEMA Ensures Texans with Disabilities, Access Needs Can Register For Disaster Aid

Texans Have 30 Days Left to Register for April Flood Disaster Aid

AUSTIN, Texas – Texans who suffered damage or loss from the April storms and flooding have only 30 more days to register with FEMA for disaster assistance.

The registration deadline is Friday, June 24 for residents with disaster-related damage or loss in 12 Texas counties. Those counties are Austin, Colorado, Fayette, Fort Bend, Grimes, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, Parker, San Jacinto, Waller and Wharton.

Texans can register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone at 800-621-3362 (FEMA). Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585. Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may also call 800-621-3362. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

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.

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

Download the FEMA app fema.gov/mobile-app to locate open shelters and disaster recovery centers, receive severe weather alerts, safety tips and much more.

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Download the FEMA app fema.gov/mobile-app to locate open shelters and disaster recovery centers, receive severe weather alerts, safety tips and much more.

Texans Have 30 Days Left to Register for April Flood Disaster Aid

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