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If you didn’t register with FEMA, you didn’t register

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — If you are among the thousands of Virginians who have registered for disaster assistance since Hurricane Matthew struck the Commonwealth, and you didn’t register directly with FEMA, you didn’t register.

Registering with your city’s emergency management agency, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM), the Red Cross, with any other charitable organization, or having FEMA flood insurance is NOT the same as registering with FEMA.

You still need to register with FEMA before it’s too late. The deadline is January 3, 2017.

After you have registered, if you receive a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loan application, officials urge you to fill it out and return it to the SBA—even if you do not want a loan. If you do not qualify for the SBA loan, your application can trigger other types of assistance, allowing the SBA to refer you back to FEMA.

You do not have to accept the SBA loan, but sometimes-unanticipated needs arise so having the loan in your ‘back pocket’ can make a difference.

FEMA and the SBA offer a variety of programs to help in your recovery. FEMA grants will not affect your government benefits, such as Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid and you will not pay additional income taxes or see any reduction in your Social Security checks or any other federal benefits.

VDEM and FEMA are working closely with other commonwealth and federal partners, the private sector, faith-based organizations, and voluntary agencies to help match survivors with avenues of assistance. Two common misconceptions regarding registering with FEMA are:

Registering for disaster assistance with other agencies or organizations registers you for FEMA disaster assistance. It does not.
Having FEMA flood insurance registers you for disaster assistance. It does not. It also does not disqualify you from applying for assistance. Flood insurance claims are handled separately and you may find that you had uninsured losses.

If you haven’t registered because English is not your first language, don’t let that stop you. If you or someone you know needs language assistance, FEMA has interpreters who speak many languages. Translators are available and can help you in the registration process.

Also know that you may apply if you are a non-citizen national with a Social Security number or a qualified alien who holds permanent residency, refugee, or asylum status. If you are the parent of a U.S. citizen in your household, you may apply for federal disaster assistance on behalf of your child.

If you are a renter and haven’t registered, know that you too, may be eligible for federal disaster assistance and referrals to Commonwealth agencies that may be able to help.

If you wish to donate, go to the Virginia Relief Fund site at: http://www.vaemergency.gov/get-involved/virginia-disaster-relief-fund/ for a list of approved charitable organizations.

As an applicant, your information is confidential. FEMA does not share your information with other agencies unless you want us to do so.

Additional information about this disaster is available at www.fema.gov and www.vaemergency.gov. Virginians seeking information about disaster-related services and unmet needs should call Virginia 211, a statewide information and referral service. Survivors are encouraged to register with FEMA as soon as possible. You can register online at DisasterAssistance.gov, on the FEMA Mobile App, or by calling 800-621-3362 (FEMA).

Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may also call 800-621-3362. People 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 11 p.m., seven days a week.

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If you didn’t register with FEMA, you didn’t register

Norfolk DRC opens today for survivor assistance

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.—Survivors who have damages from Hurricane Matthew are urged to visit the newly opened Norfolk Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) to register, apply for recovery assistance, and have their questions answered.

The center opened at noon today, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016 and is located in the City of Norfolk Work Force Development Center building on Little Creek Road. Survivors may visit any DRC for assistance. Hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Sunday until further notice.

DRC locations include:

Norfolk:

Norfolk City Work Force Development Center

Room 208

201 Little Creek Road

Norfolk, VA 23505

Virginia Beach:

Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library

4100 Virginia Beach Blvd

Virginia Beach, VA 23452

Enter main door, turn right, near Cafe

Chesapeake:

Virginia Division of Human Services

City of Chesapeake

100 Outlaw St.

Chesapeake, VA 23320

Enter main door, turn right

DRCs are jointly operated by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

You don’t need to visit a DRC to register for Federal assistance, survivors can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov, on the FEMA Mobile App, or by calling 800-621-3362. TTY users can call 800-462-7585. Phone lines are open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. EDT until further notice. Help is available in almost any language.

Specialists at the recovery centers can review applicant cases, answer questions about claims, or review information needed to process their claims. Specialists from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and VDEM staff will be at each location.

To find a DRC location, go to: https://www.fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers and click on ‘Search for a Disaster Recovery Center.’

Additional information about this disaster is available at www.fema.gov and www.vaemergency.gov. Virginians seeking information about disaster-related services needs should call Virginia 211, a statewide information and referral service.

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Norfolk DRC opens today for survivor assistance

Rumor Control: FEMA disaster assistance concerns answered

To avoid misinformation circulating on social networks regarding the recovery effort for Hurricane Matthew in Virginia always ask for clarification from official sources. Rumors spread fast: please tell a friend, visit our rumor control page often and help us provide accurate information about the types of assistance available.

Check here often for an ongoing list of rumors and their true or false status.

RUMOR: FEMA doesn’t pay survivors enough.

FACT: FEMA grants are not the same as insurance. They are not intended to ‘make you whole.’ FEMA grants help eligible survivors with a start to get their lives back on track. They help with some basic disaster-related costs. They are usually not enough to get a household back to how it was before the disaster. FEMA looks at each case individually.

RUMOR: I already cleaned up and repaired the damage to my home. I heard it’s too late to get help from FEMA.

FACT: You may be eligible for FEMA assistance even if you’ve already repaired the damage. It will help if you have “before” photos and receipts for your repair expenses. Register with FEMA to find out more. You may be eligible for a grant for repair assistance that will help cover your costs. The deadline to register for FEMA registration is January 2, 2017.

RUMOR: FEMA assistance has to be repaid.

FACT: FEMA assistance is a grant, not a loan. Grants do not have to be repaid. Some homeowners, renters, businesses, and nonprofit organizations may take out disaster recovery loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). SBA loans have to be repaid but are at a lower interest rate than usual. Again, FEMA grants do not have to be repaid. In addition, FEMA grants are not taxable and do not affect your eligibility for other federal benefit programs, such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.

RUMOR: If there are other family members or roommates living with me, FEMA isn’t going to give them any help.

FACT: FEMA is committed to giving each individual survivor all the help he or she is eligible for. FEMA evaluates the needs of all eligible survivors on a case-by-case basis. Be sure to tell FEMA about the needs of all members of your household whether they are related to one another or not. Call the FEMA helpline at 800-321-3362 if you need to update your registration or have questions about the needs of any members of your household.

RUMOR: There is no easy way to get true, reliable information about FEMA’s disaster assistance programs.
FACT: Straight answers and plain facts are available from the disaster assistance program experts on FEMA’s Help Line. Call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585 to learn about disaster assistance programs. Toll-free lines are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. EDT daily. Multilingual operators are available. Survivors can also go to their nearest Disaster Recovery Center to get questions answered. Trust information only from official sources.

RUMOR: If survivors receive FEMA assistance, it could reduce their Social Security benefits.
FACT: No. Disaster assistance does not count as income. FEMA assistance will not affect Social Security, Medicare, or other federal and state benefits, and it is not counted as income for tax purposes.

RUMOR: If you receive money from FEMA you have to pay it back.

FACT: FEMA grants do not have to be repaid.

RUMOR: Receiving a letter from FEMA stating the applicant is not eligible means the person will not get any assistance.

FACT: Not necessarily. Receiving such a letter does not always mean an applicant is not eligible for disaster aid, even when the letter states “ineligible” or “incomplete.” Such a letter can simply be an indication that further information is needed, or that the applicant’s insurance claim needs to be settled before disaster aid can be granted. Call the FEMA help line, 800-621-3362, or visit your nearest Disaster Recovery Center with questions.

RUMOR: If you take FEMA assistance, they take your property.
FACT: Not true. FEMA has no authority to take property of any kind from anyone.

For more information on Recovery Efforts visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4291 and www.vaemergency.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.

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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Rumor Control: FEMA disaster assistance concerns answered

Get help with disaster info; Visit Virginia Beach, Chesapeake DRCs

RICHMOND, Va.—Survivors who suffered damages in Hurricane Matthew are urged to visit one of the two newly opened Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) to register, get recovery assistance, and get their questions answered.

Both centers, one in Virginia Beach and one in Chesapeake, opened at noon today, Monday, November 7, 2016. Additional DRCs in Newport News and Norfolk will be opening soon. Survivors may visit any DRC.

The Virginia Beach DRC is located in the Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library, near the Cafe. The Chesapeake location is co-located with the City’s local DRC in the Chesapeake Department of Human Services building.

Hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Sunday until further notice.

The addresses are:

Virginia Beach:

Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library

4100 Virginia Beach Blvd

Virginia Beach, VA 23452

Enter main door, turn right, near Cafe

Chesapeake:

Chesapeake Department of Human Services

City of Chesapeake

100 Outlaw St.

Chesapeake, VA 23320

Enter main door, turn right

DRCs are operated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM).

You don’t need to visit a DRC to register for Federal assistance, survivors can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY users can call 800-462-7585. The telephone lines are staffed daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EDT until further notice. Help is available in almost any language.

Staff at the recovery centers can check individuals’ cases, answer questions about claims, or review information needed to process their claims. Specialists from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and VDEM staff will be at each location.

To find out more about how a DRC operates, go to: https://www.fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers

Additional information about this disaster is available at www.fema.gov and www.vaemergency.gov.

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Get help with disaster info; Visit Virginia Beach, Chesapeake DRCs

Begin Your Federal Recovery Process Now

If you live in Chesapeake, Newport News, Norfolk, or Virginia Beach and had damages as a result of Hurricane Mathew, take action now towards your recovery by registering with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Survivors are encouraged to register with FEMA as soon as possible. You can register online at DisasterAssistance.gov, on the FEMA Mobile App, or by calling 800-621-3362 (FEMA).

When you register for FEMA assistance a FEMA representative will ask you to provide information on disaster damage, proof of identity and residence, insurance and other documentation, to determine eligibility.

For those who do not have access to telephone or internet service, don’t be discouraged. Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) and FEMA are coming to you. FEMA’s Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams will soon be moving into affected communities to help people register for assistance. Additionally, Commonwealth and FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers will soon be open in the near future in the affected localities.

Assistance for eligible survivors can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, and for other serious disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs. Long-term, low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) also may be available to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

Survivors should contact their insurance company to file their insurance claim. FEMA is unable to duplicate insurance payments. However, those without insurance or those who may be underinsured may still receive help after their insurance claims have been settled.

For more information visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4291.

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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. FEMA Region III’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Stay informed of FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts are available at fema.gov/medialibrary and youtube.com/fema. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion3.

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Begin Your Federal Recovery Process Now

5 Years Later, FEMA Remembers Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee

PHILADELPHIA – In late August 2011, Hurricane Irene caused destruction and flooding across the eastern United States, including historic levels of flooding in communities across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Within a weeks time, Tropical Storm Lee would move through many of those same communities, bringing additional flooding to communities still responding to the aftermath of Irene.

Five years later, FEMA Region III is remembering the storms and their impact to communities, as well as the response and recovery efforts that in many communities continue to this day. “All disasters are local, and with Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, we have many communities who continue to recover from these disasters and are finding ways to mitigate future storms,” stated FEMA Region III Regional Administrator MaryAnn Tierney. To encourage individuals and communities to prepare for future hurricanes, FEMA Region III created products to remember Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee and to provide a retroactive view on the storms impacts on communities across the region.

‘5 Years Later: Remembering Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee’ is a video which looks back on the impacts and recovery efforts undertaken in response to the storms, including efforts to get people into housing and the resilience of people faced with hardship. The video includes interviews with local, state, and federal officials who looked back at their role in responding to Irene and Lee and what mattered most in helping communities to recover back stronger than before.

In addition, FEMA Region III created ‘before and after’ photos which reveal just how much water certain communities received from the two storms. The photos are available in FEMA’s Multimedia Library at www.FEMA.gov/media-library by searching for “Tropical Storm Lee Pennsylvania” in the search bar at the top of the page. For additional information on Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, visit www.FEMA.gov/disasters. This before and after compilation photograph shows a water rescue on Hersheypark Drive in Hershey, PA and the same area today.

FEMA Region III also created a map journal, which includes the before and after photos, an interactive map feature highlighting federal assistance to communities, and additional information demonstrating the scope and impact the two storms had on communities across the country.

Want to share? Tweet or share using the hashtags #Irene5yrslater, #Lee5yrslater, and #ItOnlyTakesOne. Take time to prepare for hurricanes now, before the next storm hits. It only takes on storm to have a significant impact on a community. For more information on how to prepare, please visit https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes.

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5 Years Later, FEMA Remembers Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee

One week left for West Virginia survivors to apply to FEMA, SBA

CHARLESTON, W. Va. – There is only one week left to apply for disaster assistance from FEMA and to submit applications for physical low-interest disaster loans to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). West Virginia survivors eligible for federal assistance, who were impacted by the June 22-29 storms, floods, landslides and mudslides, have until Wednesday, Sept. 7 to file their applications.

More than two months after President Obama signed the June 25 disaster declaration making West Virginia residents in Clay, Fayette, Greenbrier, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Roane, Summers and Webster counties eligible for federal assistance, 8,791 households have applied to FEMA for help.

Storm survivors in the 12 designated counties have been approved for FEMA grants under the Individuals and Households program totaling more than $39.2 million to date, while SBA has approved 714 loans to homeowners, renters and businesses for more than $46.7 million.

Disaster assistance for individuals may include grants to help homeowners and renters with temporary housing, essential home repairs, personal property replacement, and disaster-related needs. Disaster assistance grants are not taxable income and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicare and other federal and state programs. Grants do not have to be repaid to the federal government.

Registering with FEMA is the first step in qualifying for assistance. Sept. 7 is the last day for survivors to file an application. FEMA encourages all survivors who sustained disaster-related damage or losses to apply by phone (voice, 711 or relay service) at 800-621-3362 (TTY users should call 800-462-7585) or online at DisasterAssistance.gov. The toll-free lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EDT seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

The SBA, one of FEMA’s partners in disaster recovery, offers low-interest disaster loans to businesses, homeowners and renters. SBA disaster loans may cover repairs, rebuilding, as well as the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged real estate and personal property.

For more information about SBA loans, call SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955, email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visit http://www.sba.gov/disaster. TTY users may call 800-877-8339. Applicants may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. The deadline to file an SBA physical disaster loan application is Wednesday, Sept. 7.

You are not required to accept a loan even if you qualify for one.

If SBA determines you aren’t eligible for a home loan, they will refer you back to FEMA. This could make you eligible for more FEMA aid.

If your SBA loan application is approved, you may be eligible to borrow additional funds to cover the cost of improvements that will protect your property against future damage. Examples include elevating utilities, water heaters and furnaces, and installing retaining walls and sump pumps. Applicants may be eligible for an SBA loan increase, for mitigation purposes, of up to 20 percent of their physical damages.

Survivors with questions regarding their application or who have not yet registered for assistance should call the FEMA toll-free Helpline (voice, 711 or relay service) at 800-621-3362. (TTY users should call 800-462-7585) or visit DisasterAssistance.gov. The lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

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

Additional information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery can be found by visiting fema.gov/disaster/4273, twitter.com/femaregion3, twitter.com/FEMA, facebook.com/FEMA, fema.gov/blog and the flood information pages at http://wvflood.com/Pages/default.aspx.

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One week left for West Virginia survivors to apply to FEMA, SBA

Three Disaster Recovery Centers to close; help is still available

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) in White Sulphur Springs and Rainelle in Greenbrier County, and the Clendenin DRC in Kanawha County will close at 5 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2016.

The two Greenbrier County DRCs are located at:

65 West Main Street, White Sulphur Springs
1233 Kanawha Ave., Rainelle

The Kanawha County DRC is located:

Across the street from Dollar General,

120 Maywood Ave., Clendenin

As a survivor of the June storms and floods, you can still get the help you need with just a phone

call. The deadline to register for disaster assistance from FEMA is Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016.

Many of the services that were available at the DRCs are still available on the FEMA helpline. The helpline operates from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EDT, seven days a week, until further notice. By calling 800-621-3362 (voice, 711 or video relay services) or 800-462-7585 for TTY users, you can use the helpline to:

Register with FEMA.
Provide a change of address, telephone and bank account numbers and insurance information.
Receive information about FEMA home inspections.
Get other questions answered about federal disaster assistance.
Ask questions about a letter from FEMA.
Learn how to appeal a FEMA decision. All applicants may appeal.

You can also register with FEMA online at DisasterAssistance.gov.

If you want to discuss your application, you should have your nine-digit FEMA registration number and zip code.

For more information about the Small Business Administration (SBA) loans, call SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955, email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visit http://www.sba.gov/disaster. TTY users may call 800-877-8339. Applicants may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

SBA disaster low-interest loans are available to businesses of all sizes, homeowners and renters for their recovery needs.

The deadline to apply for a physical damage disaster loan from the SBA is Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016.

Additional information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery can be found by visiting fema.gov/disaster/4273, twitter.com/femaregion3, twitter.com/FEMA and fema.gov/blog.

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Three Disaster Recovery Centers to close; help is still available

Partnerships and progress: West Virginia severe storms, flooding, mudslides and landslides 60 days later

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia is taking significant steps toward recovery following the severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides that occurred June 22-29, 2016.

Recovery takes the Whole Community. Affected communities and disaster survivors are repairing and rebuilding better, stronger and safer with the help of neighbors, friends, family members, voluntary groups, faith- and community-based organizations and local, county, state and federal governments.

The following highlights recovery progress made in the 60 days since the June 25 presidential disaster declaration and how disaster survivors and affected communities are overcoming challenges:

Initially three counties were designated as eligible for federal assistance. Since then, the presidential disaster declaration has been amended six times, making survivors in 12 counties eligible to apply for help under FEMA’s Individual Assistance (IA) program.

The deadline for survivors to register for federal aid under the IA program is Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016.

In addition, local, county and state government infrastructure and certain private nonprofit organizations in 18 counties became eligible to receive funding through FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) program to repair and rebuild certain eligible disaster-damaged facilities. Local, county and state government expenses related to debris removal, saving lives, providing security, and managing the immediate response also became eligible for reimbursement.

The PA program benefits everyone in the affected communities because essential services like roads, utilities, schools and hospitals are often restored stronger than they were before the disaster. FEMA relieves burdens of local and county governments and the state by paying 75 percent of the eligible costs.

So far, more than 8,732 West Virginia households have contacted FEMA for IA help.

To date, survivors have received more than $111 million in federal disaster assistance for a variety of recovery purposes.

More than $32.7 million in grants has been approved for a place to stay for homeowners and renters whose residences were uninhabitable and to make essential repairs for homes to be safe, secure and functional.
More than $6.2 million in grants has gone to homeowners and renters to repair and replace certain household items and for disaster-related burial, medical and dental expenses.
Homeowners, renters and businesses have received more than $44.2 million in low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to repair, rebuild and replace damaged property and contents. Disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other sources.
NFIP policyholders have received more than $20 million in claims to repair and rebuild flood-damaged property.
The total Public Assistance Grants obligated as of Aug. 23 is more than $7.8 million

The SBA may call you after you register with FEMA. If they do, advise SBA on how you want to apply and submit your disaster low-interest loan application. As a business, homeowner or renter, you can submit your SBA disaster loan application in one of three ways:

Online at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/;
In person at a DRC (to find the closest one, go to www.fema.gov/drc.); or
By mail.

FEMA and SBA encourage homeowners, renters and business owners to submit your SBA loan application to help fund recovery and to ensure the federal disaster recovery process continues.

If your SBA loan application is approved, you may be eligible to borrow additional funds to cover the cost of improvements that will protect your property against future damage. Examples

include elevating utilities, water heaters and furnaces, and installing retaining walls and sump pumps. Applicants may be eligible for an SBA loan increase, for mitigation purposes, of up to 20 percent of their physical damage.

If SBA determines you aren’t eligible for a home loan, they will refer you back to FEMA. This could make you eligible for FEMA aid.

Disaster recovery officials are still on the ground in West Virginia and interacting with survivors in a variety of ways to help them recover:

FEMA specialists have attended more than 30 community organization events in West Virginia to discuss and answer questions about federal disaster assistance.
More than 9,100 survivors have visited 15 Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs). The first centers opened three days after the presidential disaster declaration.
More than 7,100 FEMA housing inspections have been completed.
FEMA disaster survivor assistance specialists canvassed the affected communities to encourage survivors to register for help, provide recovery information and listen to their concerns.
Free consultations on building hazard-resistant homes have been given to more than 2,800 survivors at DRCs and more than 5,300 at West Virginia home improvement stores.

The West Virginia Chief Recovery Officer, Maj. Gen. James Hoyer of the National Guard; the West Virginia State Disaster Recovery Officer, Keith Burdette, who is Secretary of Commerce for the State of West Virginia; and Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator Kevin Snyder are coordinating a team of state and federal disaster recovery specialists to restore, redevelop, revitalize and better prepare affected communities.

Recovery has significantly progressed because of voluntary, faith and community-based groups that are donating their time and skills to help survivors muck out, repair and rebuild their homes. These groups are always the first and last presence to help disaster survivors recover.

Whole community partners continue to collaborate to find solutions to enable West Virginia’s recovery and will be here as long as it takes.

Registering with FEMA is the first step in qualifying for assistance. Sept. 7 is the last day for survivors to file an application. FEMA encourages all survivors who sustained disaster-related damage or losses to apply by phone (voice, 711 or relay service) at 800-621-3362 (TTY users should call 800-462-7585) or online at DisasterAssistance.gov. The toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EDT seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

Additional information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery can be found by calling the FEMA Helpline 800-621-3362 or visiting: www.DisasterAssistance.gov; www.WVflood.com; fema.gov/disaster/4273; twitter.com/femaregion3; and fema.gov/blog.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia is taking significant steps toward recovery following the severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides that occurred June 22-29, 2016.

The following highlights recovery progress made in the 60 days since the June 25 presidential disaster declaration and how disaster survivors and affected communities are overcoming challenges:

The deadline for survivors to register for federal aid under the IA program is Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016.

So far, more than 8,732 West Virginia households have contacted FEMA for IA help.

To date, survivors have received more than $111 million in federal disaster assistance for a variety of recovery purposes.

More than $32.7 million in grants has been approved for a place to stay for homeowners and renters whose residences were uninhabitable and to make essential repairs for homes to be safe, secure and functional.
More than $6.2 million in grants has gone to homeowners and renters to repair and replace certain household items and for disaster-related burial, medical and dental expenses.
Homeowners, renters and businesses have received more than $44.2 million in low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to repair, rebuild and replace damaged property and contents. Disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other sources.
NFIP policyholders have received more than $20 million in claims to repair and rebuild flood-damaged property.
The total Public Assistance Grants obligated as of Aug. 23 is more than $7.8 million

Online at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/;
In person at a DRC (to find the closest one, go to www.fema.gov/drc.); or
By mail.

FEMA and SBA encourage homeowners, renters and business owners to submit your SBA loan application to help fund recovery and to ensure the federal disaster recovery process continues.

If your SBA loan application is approved, you may be eligible to borrow additional funds to cover the cost of improvements that will protect your property against future damage. Examples

If SBA determines you aren’t eligible for a home loan, they will refer you back to FEMA. This could make you eligible for FEMA aid.

Disaster recovery officials are still on the ground in West Virginia and interacting with survivors in a variety of ways to help them recover:

FEMA specialists have attended more than 30 community organization events in West Virginia to discuss and answer questions about federal disaster assistance.
More than 9,100 survivors have visited 15 Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs). The first centers opened three days after the presidential disaster declaration.
More than 7,100 FEMA housing inspections have been completed.
FEMA disaster survivor assistance specialists canvassed the affected communities to encourage survivors to register for help, provide recovery information and listen to their concerns.
Free consultations on building hazard-resistant homes have been given to more than 2,800 survivors at DRCs and more than 5,300 at West Virginia home improvement stores.

Whole community partners continue to collaborate to find solutions to enable West Virginia’s recovery and will be here as long as it takes.

Registering with FEMA is the first step in qualifying for assistance. Sept. 7 is the last day for survivors to file an application. FEMA encourages all survivors who sustained disaster-related damage or losses to apply by phone (voice, 711 or relay service) at 800-621-3362 (TTY users should call 800-462-7585) or online at DisasterAssistance.gov. The toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EDT seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

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Partnerships and progress: West Virginia severe storms, flooding, mudslides and landslides 60 days later

Every West Virginia disaster applicant has the right to appeal

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – If you registered for help from FEMA and got a letter (often called a “determination letter”), you may want to appeal the decision made regarding your application for federal assistance. Here are some tips to help you:

Every disaster survivor has a right to appeal. Read your letter carefully all the way through to understand FEMA’s reason for its decision. This will allow you to know exactly why to appeal. Appeals must be made in writing and sent by mail or fax to FEMA within 60 days of receiving the letter.
It’s important to submit insurance information. If your coverage is not enough to make essential home repairs, provide a place to stay, or replace certain contents, FEMA can review your application. But you must provide documents from your insurance company that detail your settlement. Remember also that FEMA cannot duplicate homeowners’ or renters’ insurance benefits.
- Contact your insurance company if you need settlement documents.
Prove occupancy. If you’re a homeowner or renter, FEMA can reconsider you for grants if you provide documents that prove the damaged structure was your main residence. You can prove this was your main home with utility bills, a driver’s license or a copy of your lease. You cannot receive federal disaster assistance for secondary or vacation homes.
Prove ownership. If you can prove you own the home, FEMA can reconsider you for grants to make a structure safe, sanitary and functional. Documents you can submit to prove ownership may include mortgage or insurance documents, tax receipts or a deed. If you don’t have a deed handy, speak to your local or county officials about obtaining a copy.
There are many other reasons you may disagree with a decision. If you registered you should have received a booklet called “Help after a Disaster” that details how FEMA determines who’s eligible for assistance. You can also access the booklet online at www.fema.gov/help-after-disaster. The booklet lists what information you need to include when appealing.

Mail or fax appeal documents within 60 days of receiving your FEMA determination letter to the address below:

FEMA National Processing Service Center

P.O. Box 10055

Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055

Fax documents to 800-827-8112.

If you have any questions about your determination letter or any other disaster recovery issues you may always call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 (voice, 711 or video relay services) or 800-462-7585 (TTY). Lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EDT seven days a week until further notice. Or you may:

Go online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
Visit a Disaster Recovery Center. Find the closest one by going online: www.fema.gov/drc.

West Virginia disaster survivors are reminded that the deadline to register for FEMA assistance is Wednesday, Sept 7.

Additional information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery can be found by calling the FEMA Helpline 800-621-3362 or visiting: www.DisasterAssistance.gov; the flood pages at wvflood.com; fema.gov/disaster/4273; twitter.com/femaregion3; and fema.gov/blog.

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Every West Virginia disaster applicant has the right to appeal

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