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Texans in Four Additional Counties May Now Apply for Federal Disaster Assistance

AUSTIN, Texas – The federal disaster declaration for Texas has been expanded to include Individual Assistance for four additional counties as a result of the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding that occurred between May 4 and June 19 according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The four Texas counties newly designated for Individual Assistance are:

Hood, Madison, Shelby and Wharton.

They join 42 counties already designated for Individual Assistance: Angelina, Bastrop, Blanco, Bowie, Brazoria, Caldwell, Cherokee, Cooke, Dallas, Denton, Eastland, Ellis, Erath, Fannin, Fayette, Fort Bend, Frio, Gaines, Grayson, Guadalupe, Harris, Harrison, Hays, Henderson, Hidalgo, Jim Wells, Johnson, Liberty, Milam, Montague, Montgomery, Navarro, Nueces, Rusk, Smith, Travis, Trinity, Walker, Wichita, Williamson, Wise and Van Zandt.

Residents in the now 46 designated counties are eligible to apply for state and federal disaster assistance. Disaster assistance, for homeowners and renters, may include grants to help pay for rent, temporary housing and home repairs, as well as other serious disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs.

Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available for eligible survivors. 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 from other agencies or organizations.

Residents and business owners should apply right away with SBA as part of the overall federal disaster recovery process, and not wait for insurance claims to settle.

Texans who had storm damage should register with FEMA even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but under-insured applicants may be eligible for help after their insurance claims have been settled.

People can apply for FEMA assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call 800-621-3362 toll free from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) daily until further notice. Multilingual operators are available.

Disaster assistance applicants who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY should call 800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call800-621-3362.

The deadline for applying is Aug. 27.

FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program has a call center to answer Texas policyholders’ flood insurance questions. Specialists can help with servicing claims, providing general information and offering technical assistance to aid in recovery. To speak with a flood insurance specialist, call 800-621-3362 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

For more information on Texas disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4223. You can follow us on Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/femaregion6 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA.

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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.

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.

Funeral expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, those who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, transportation, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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

Texans in Four Additional Counties May Now Apply for Federal Disaster Assistance

Three Weeks’ Later, Federal Assistance Tops $1 Million for Arkansas Recovery

NORTH LITTLE ROCK – Three weeks after a federal disaster declaration made assistance available, more than $1 million in aid is helping the residents of nine Arkansas counties recover from the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding, May 7 to June 15, 2015.

To date, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management, 151 persons have been approved for disaster assistance (as of 7 a.m. on Friday, July 17, 2015).

That assistance includes $710,750 in housing aid to help homeowners and renters:

Rent temporary housing for a limited period of time;
Repair damage from the disaster to a homeowner’s primary residence that is not covered by insurance. The goal is to make the home safe, sanitary and functional; and,
Help replace homes destroyed in the disaster.

The assistance also includes $68,053 to help pay for:

Disaster-related medical and dental costs;
Disaster-related funeral and burial costs;
Clothing, household items, tools required for work and necessary educational materials;
Clean-up items;
Disaster-damaged vehicles;
Moving and storage expenses related to the disaster; and,
Other necessary expenses or serious needs as determined by FEMA.

Also, $313,800 in low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters, businesses and private nonprofit organizations has been approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration;

Residents of nine Arkansas counties may be eligible for disaster assistance. Residents of Crawford, Garland, Howard, Jefferson, Little River, Miller, Perry, Sebastian and Sevier counties are encouraged to register for assistance with FEMA by the Aug. 25, 2015 deadline.

Individuals and business owners who sustained losses can apply for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or by web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov. Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. Multilingual operators are available.

The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice. Multilingual operators are available.

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Three Weeks’ Later, Federal Assistance Tops $1 Million for Arkansas Recovery

FEMA Officials Urge Applicants for Aid to ‘Stay in Touch,’ get answers, resolve issues

NORTH LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas residents who have registered with FEMA for disaster aid are urged by recovery officials to “stay in touch.” It’s the best way to get answers and resolve potential issues that might result in assistance being denied.

“Putting your life back together after a disaster is difficult,” said Nancy M. Casper, federal coordinating officer for FEMA. “While the process of getting help from FEMA is intended to be simple, it’s easy to understand how sometimes providing important information is overlooked or missed.”

Residents of nine Arkansas counties affected by the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding during the period of May 7 to June 15, 2015 may be eligible for disaster assistance. Residents of Crawford, Garland, Howard, Jefferson, Little River, Miller, Perry, Sebastian, and Sevier counties are encouraged to register for assistance with FEMA.

After registering, it’s important to keep open the lines of communication. “It’s a two-way street,” said Casper. “FEMA can’t offer assistance to survivors who – for whatever reason – have not provided all the necessary information.”

After registering with FEMA, applicants will receive notice by mail within 10 days on whether or not they qualify for federal disaster assistance.

If eligible, the letter explains how much the grant will be, and how it is intended to be used.
If ineligible – or if the grant amount reads “0” – you may still qualify. The denial may just mean the application is missing information or that you missed an appointment with an inspector.

Applicants who are denied assistance may call the Helpline to understand why, or go online to www.disasterassistance.gov or m.fema.gov. Becoming eligible for assistance may be as simple as supplying missing paperwork or providing additional information.

FEMA looks at a number of things to determine if a survivor will receive disaster assistance. The agency must be able to:

Verify an applicant’s identity.
Verify damages. If you believe the inspector didn’t see all of your damages, call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362.
Verify home occupancy. Applicants need to provide proof of occupancy such as a utility bill.
Collect insurance information.

“FEMA personnel are here to help,” said Scott Bass, state coordinating officer with the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management. “Keep in touch. Use the Helpline. You’ll get answers to your questions and help with understanding the assistance process, and ways to move your personal recovery forward.”

The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice. Multilingual operators are available.

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FEMA Officials Urge Applicants for Aid to ‘Stay in Touch,’ get answers, resolve issues

FEMA, State Grants Will Not Affect Social Security or Benefits

NORTH LITTLE ROCK –Arkansas residents rebuilding from the severe storms of late spring will not lose Social Security benefits, pay additional taxes, or give up income-based benefit programs if they accept federal or state disaster aid.

In most cases, the Social Security Administration does not count federal or state disaster aid as income, according to recovery officials from FEMA and the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management.

FEMA/ADEM provided these answers to two common questions:

Question: Will receiving disaster aid result in my income being increased so that I am no longer eligible for Medicaid, welfare assistance, food stamps or Aid to Families with Dependent Children?

Answer: No. Assistance for housing and Other Needs Assistance (ONA) are not counted as income in determining eligibility for any income-based benefit programs funded by the U.S. government.

Question: If I earn more than a certain amount each year, I must repay $1 of my Social Security payment for every $2 earned. Will FEMA grants add to my income and require me to repay Social Security?

Answer: No. FEMA grants for housing and ONA are not counted as income.

The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice. Multilingual operators are available.

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FEMA, State Grants Will Not Affect Social Security or Benefits

State/FEMA Recovery Center to Close in Bryan County

OKLAHOMA CITY – A Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Bryan County set up to help people in Oklahoma affected by the severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding and tornadoes occurring May 5 through June 4 will close on Thursday, July 16 at 7 p.m.

Its location is:

Durant Middle School

802 West Walnut Street

Durant, OK 74701

DRCs are one-stop shops where survivors can get information and guidance about what disaster assistance may be available. Information from the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Small Business Administration and other federal agencies and volunteer organizations is available at the recovery centers.

Survivors can apply for state and federal assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 800-621-3362 to register.

Individuals with disabilities and others with access and functional needs who require help registering may contact FEMA using any of the above methods.

For more information on Oklahoma disaster recovery, click http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4222 or visit OEM at www.oem.ok.gov.

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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.

The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) prepares for, responds to, recovers from and mitigates against emergencies and disasters. The department delivers services to Oklahoma cities, towns and counties through a network of more than 350 local emergency managers.

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.

From:

State/FEMA Recovery Center to Close in Bryan County

Registering with State, Volunteer Agencies Not the Same as FEMA

NORTH LITTLE ROCK – Many Arkansas residents who suffered damage during the severe storms in late spring may have registered for assistance with state or volunteer agencies. This is not the same as registering with FEMA for disaster aid.

While FEMA, the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management and volunteer agencies often work together, their missions, programs and funding are not the same. Residents should register with FEMA for access to federal disaster assistance.

FEMA is funded by congress and administers disaster programs determined by federal officials and requested by the state. Disaster declarations by the State of Arkansas provide some assistance based on state criteria, but that aid is “turned off” when a federal declaration is made to avoid duplicating benefits.

Volunteer agencies that provide individuals and families with immediate necessities and emergency services raise their funds publicly and determine their own programs.

The disaster declaration on June 26, 2015 put in place several sources of federal funding. It is available to residents in nine Arkansas counties affected by the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding during the period of May 7 to June 15, 2015. The counties are Crawford, Garland, Howard, Jefferson, Little River, Miller, Perry, Sebastian, and Sevier.

Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in those counties can apply for federal assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621- 3362 (FEMA) or by web-enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov. Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice. Mulitilingual operators are available.

Excerpt from:

Registering with State, Volunteer Agencies Not the Same as FEMA

FEMA Home Inspectors Help Start Arkansas Recovery from Spring’s Severe Storms

NORTH LITTLE ROCK – Residents and business owners who have registered for disaster assistance with FEMA should expect a housing inspector to verify damage soon after they’ve applied.

Identifying damage helps determine both the amount and the types of assistance FEMA or other state and federal agencies may provide. There is no fee for the inspection. The inspector does not determine the amount of assistance an applicant will receive.

The inspector is required to carry identification that includes his or her photo and ID number. When the inspector comes to your home, ask to see the identification.

Residents of Crawford, Garland, Howard, Jefferson, Little River, Miller, Perry, Sebastian, and Sevier

counties may be eligible for assistance following the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding during the period of May 7 to June 15, 2015.

Being ready when the inspector visits can help speed assistance.

If you’ve registered with FEMA for disaster assistance, here’s what to expect: A FEMA inspector will contact you to schedule an appointment to inspect your damaged home. If you have a disability and require an accommodation when the inspector arrives, please call 870-451-9241 during regular business hours.

Provide the inspector with clear, accurate directions to the damaged property. Post office boxes do not show locations.

Be prepared to provide written proof of ownership or rental occupancy, such as a tax receipt, deed, mortgage payment book, rental agreement, or home insurance policy with the damaged property’s address. Having the necessary documentation will help speed up the inspection process.

The inspector will not ask you for your Social Security number, your bank account or credit card account numbers or for medical information. If someone claiming to be with FEMA asks you to provide such information, call your local law enforcement immediately.

Whether you are an owner or a renter, you must show that the damaged property was your primary residence at the time of the disaster. Inspectors will accept a valid driver’s license or current utility bill (such as an electric, gas or water bill) as proof you live there.

The inspection is free. It usually takes between 45 minutes and an hour, and consists of measuring the real property, inspecting its contents, and recording the findings.

Using a handheld electronic device, the inspector creates a digital “model” of the damaged home and uses it to indicate where damage occurred. The device — called an inspector’s pad —transmits information electronically to FEMA. This speeds up the process of providing assistance.

The inspector will ask to see damage to both real property and personal property in all areas of your home. This is to inventory both the type and extent of loss. For example, not all disaster damage results in a complete loss. The inspector’s report will show which items are total losses; which items can be repaired; and those that are not affected. FEMA will not replace damaged items that can be repaired with new items.

Typically, in 10 days or less after the inspector’s visit, you will receive a letter from FEMA containing a decision.

Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated area can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or by web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov. Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

Taken from:

FEMA Home Inspectors Help Start Arkansas Recovery from Spring’s Severe Storms

Disaster Assistance for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are ready to assist everyone, including seniors, persons with disabilities and others with an access and functional need before, during and after a disaster.

Oklahoma seniors and those with disabilities are eligible to receive the same services and assistance offered to anyone in the declared disaster areas. However, the means to register for and receive assistance may be different for someone with a disability. That person may require accommodations such as a sign language interpreter or information in alternate formats.

Anyone who experienced losses or damages as a result of Oklahoma’s severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding and tornadoes of May 5 through June 4 has several ways to register for disaster assistance.

They can apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by smart phone or tablet at m.fema.gov, or by telephone at 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. If they use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services, they should call 800-621-3362. Operators are multilingual and calls are answered seven days a week 24 hours a day. Or they can visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC).

Some frequently asked questions include:

Will disaster assistance change my benefits?

If you receive Social Security benefits, you will not lose your benefits and they will not be changed or cut if you receive disaster aid from the state or FEMA.
If you receive Medicaid, food stamps, or Aid to Families with Dependent Children, you will not lose your benefits and they will not be cut if you receive disaster aid from the state or FEMA.
A FEMA grant does not add to an applicant’s taxable income.

What are the available accommodations?

For those who are deaf or hard of hearing, DRCs offer several communication methods, from captioned phones to iPads with video remote interpreting access to sign language interpreters. On-site interpreters are also available upon request.
For persons who are blind or have low vision, documents are available in large print and Braille.
For persons who use a mobility device, DRCs have accessible parking, ramps and accessible restrooms.
Remember: If you need an accommodation, just ask.

How will I know what I am eligible for?

Those who live in one of the 33 Oklahoma counties approved for federal Individual Assistance as a result of the storms that occurred May 5 through June 4 may be eligible for disaster assistance.
The only way to know if you are eligible – and what you are eligible for – is to apply. The application deadline for this disaster is July 27.
Anyone with a disability or any access or functional need who requires help registering should not hesitate to contact FEMA.

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The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) prepares for, responds to, recovers from and mitigates against emergencies and disasters. The department delivers service to Oklahoma cities, towns and counties through a network of more than 350 local emergency managers.

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Disaster Assistance for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities

Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams Visit Arkansas Communities

July 8, 2015

DR-4226-AR

FEMA News Desk: 501-399-4075

State Public Affairs: 501-683-6700

publicaffairs@ADEM.arkansas.gov

SBA: William Koontz 916-847-2346

Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams Visit Arkansas Communities

NORTH LITTLE ROCK – The residents of nine Arkansas counties included in a federal disaster declaration may see FEMA’s Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams in their communities, offering a personal link to the resources for recovery.

Using the latest mobile technology, DSA team members are there to help survivors register for disaster assistance; provide up-to-date information on applications; help determine ongoing needs; and make referrals to help fill any outstanding needs.

The DSA teams are there in partnership with the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management and local officials from the communities they visit. DSA team members carry FEMA photo IDs. If the photo ID is not displayed, ask to see it. This helps prevent fraud.

The DSA teams may request the following information:

• A phone number where you can be reached;

• Your social security number;

• Your current mailing address;

• The address of the affected property;

• A brief description of the damages; and

• Insurance information including your policy number.

DSA teams will visit Crawford, Garland, Howard, Jefferson, Little River, Miller, Perry, Sebastian and Sevier counties. Residents in those counties who suffered damage as a result of the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding during the period of May 7 to June 15, 2015 may be eligible for disaster assistance.

Registering for assistance with FEMA is an important first step toward recovering. Registration is available online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621- 3362 (FEMA) or by web-enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov.

Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

Reasonable accomodations, including assistive technologies, may be available by calling the 800 number, or by making a request with a DSA team member.

Disaster assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Source:

Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams Visit Arkansas Communities

President Declares Disaster for Wyoming

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to the state of Wyoming and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by severe storms and flooding during the period of May 24-June 6, 2015.

The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Johnson and Niobrara counties.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Federal funding is available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

Thomas J. McCool has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. McCool said additional designations may be made at a later date if warranted.

Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated area can begin applying for assistance tomorrow by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or by web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov. Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

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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President Declares Disaster for Wyoming

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