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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

West Virginians receiving rental aid: Tell FEMA if you need more

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Thousands of West Virginians were displaced from their homes by the June 22-29 severe storms, floods, landslides and mudslides. FEMA gave grants to more than 2,500 households to help them pay for a temporary place to live. If your household received rental assistance from FEMA, you must let FEMA know if you have a continuing need for it.

Perhaps repairs to your home may be completed and you can move back in. If you’re seeking a new home, you may have found it. However, your home may not be ready to return to or you may not yet have found more permanent housing. If that is your situation, you can ask FEMA for additional rental assistance.

You should have received a letter explaining the process and a form to fill out and return to FEMA along with:

Utility bills from before and after the disaster.
If you are a renter, a copy of your pre-disaster lease.
For renters or homeowners, a copy of the current lease or rental agreement signed by the person who applied for FEMA assistance and the landlord.
Rental receipts, canceled checks or money orders showing that you used your rental assistance to pay rent or a security deposit.
Income statements from before and after the disaster for all wage earners living in the household.

You must complete the FEMA application to apply for continued rental assistance. FEMA evaluates the information to determine if your household has a financial need for additional assistance.

If you need more information or help with completing your application, call FEMA toll-free at
800-621-3362. The line is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EDT, seven days a week until further notice. 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.

You may also find help at a State-FEMA Disaster Recovery Center. To find the one nearest to you, call the helpline, 800-621-3362, or go online to fema.gov/drc locator.

Find additional information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery 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.

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West Virginians receiving rental aid: Tell FEMA if you need more

FEMA Offers Repairing, Rebuilding Advice at Home Depot, Lowe’s

CHARLESTON, W. Va. — As West Virginians repair or rebuild their homes damaged by last month’s storms, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and local hardware and home improvement stores have teamed up to provide free information, tips and literature on making homes stronger and safer.

FEMA mitigation specialists will be on hand to provide information at area Home Depots and Lowe’s Home Improvements from July 21-27. They will be available to answer questions and offer home improvement tips and proven methods to prevent and lessen damage from future disasters. Most of the information is geared for do-it-yourself work and general contractors.

Also, if you are thinking of building a storm shelter or safe room, literature is available about the best options. Safe rooms built to FEMA specifications have saved thousands of lives.

FEMA advisors will be on hand at information centers in these stores, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.,
July 21-27 (except Sunday, July 24):

THE HOME DEPOT

Cabell County
1050 Thundering Herd Dr.
Barboursville, WV 25504

Kanawha County
100 Cross Terrace Blvd.
Charleston, WV 25309

LOWE’S HOME IMPROVEMENT

Kanawha County
5750 MacCorkle Ave. SE
Charleston, WV 25304

Raleigh County
1210 N. Eisenhower Dr.
Beckley, WV 25801.

Free reference booklets, in English and Spanish, with information on protecting your home from flood damage, will be available at all locations. More information about strengthening property can be found at http://www.fema.gov/what-mitigation.

West Virginians who have questions about their flood insurance policies and coverage should contact the National Flood Insurance Program call center at 800-621-3362 (Option 2) between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday. Specialists can help service claims, provide general information regarding policies, and offer technical assistance to aid in recovery.

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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FEMA Offers Repairing, Rebuilding Advice at Home Depot, Lowe’s

FEMA offers advice on repairing, rebuilding at local Lowe’s stores

CHARLESTON, W. Va. — As West Virginians repair or rebuild their homes damaged by last month’s storms, floods, landslides and mudslides, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and local Lowe’s Home Improvement stores have teamed up to provide free information, tips and literature on making homes stronger and safer.

FEMA mitigation specialists will be on hand, this week and next, at in-store information centers in five area locations to answer questions and offer home improvement tips and proven methods to prevent and lessen damage from future disasters. Most of the information is geared for do-it-yourself work and general contractors.

FEMA advisors will be available at:

LOWE’S HOME IMPROVEMENT

Cabel County
700 Mall Rd.
Barboursville, WV 25504
7 a.m. – 7 p.m. July 14–19.

Fayette County
46 Fayette Town Center Rd.
Fayetteville, WV 25840
7 a.m. – 7 p.m. July 14–19.

Kanawha County
1000 Nitro Marketplace
Cross Lanes, WV 25313
7 a.m. – 7 p.m. July 14–19.

Nicholas County
5200 W. Webster Rd.
Summersville, WV 26651
7 a.m. – 7 p.m. July 14–19.

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FEMA offers advice on repairing, rebuilding at local Lowe’s stores

What West Virginians Should Expect After FEMA Registration

CHARLESTON, W. Va. — After disaster survivors have registered for federal disaster assistance, FEMA will ask them to provide information on disaster damage, proof of identity and residence, insurance and other documentation, to determine eligibility.

A FEMA contracted housing inspector may contact you to make an appointment to view disaster damage. It is important to provide good contact information at the time of registration.

Applicants unable to be present for the inspection can designate someone in the household over 18 years of age who was living in the household prior to the disaster. If an inspection cannot be made, FEMA may not be able to finish processing the application.

Survivors should not wait to start their cleaning up and making repairs to their home. They should save their receipts and document damage with photos. The inspector is thoroughly trained and uses specialized software to verify disaster damage quickly. The inspection may only last 10 or 20 minutes. The inspector does not make decisions on eligibility. You will receive a letter from FEMA explaining your eligibility for assistance.

Homeowners may use FEMA housing assistance grants to repair or replace:

Key systems such as plumbing, electrical and heating
Structural components such as roofs, outside walls and foundations
Windows, doors, floors, walls, ceiling, cabinetry
Septic and well systems

Renters and homeowners may qualify for grants for other disaster-related necessary expenses and serious needs, such as clothing, child care, room furnishings and appliances, medical and dental costs, vehicles and moving and storage expenses.

Both homeowners and renters must provide identification and proof of occupancy, such as a lease, rent receipt or utility bill. Additionally, homeowners will be asked to provide proof of ownership, such as a property deed or title, mortgage payment book, property insurance policy or tax receipts.

Important documents destroyed in the disaster may be duplicated with help from outside sources, such as a county clerk’s office, insurance agency or utility company.

Free disaster legal assistance is also available for West Virginia flood survivors. Call the toll-free hotline (877) 331-4279. Callers can receive counseling on insurance claims, landlord-tenant issues, home-repair contracts, the replacement of legal documents destroyed by the storm and other legal matters.

Although there are other legitimate inspectors in the field, such as county building inspectors or insurance adjustors, beware of people posing as FEMA inspectors or “FEMA approved” repair contractors. FEMA makes no such endorsements. In a disaster, scammers abound; be cautious with strangers, especially those from outside the area.

Legitimate FEMA housing inspectors will have the applicant’s nine-digit case number assigned at registration and always carry FEMA identification badges with a photograph. Inspections are free; inspectors are not authorized to ask for personal financial information other than to verify information provided at registration.

To apply for federal disaster assistance, call FEMA at 800-621-3362 or go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov. Toll-free lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. 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, call 800-621-3362.

West Virginians in the following counties may register for disaster assistance for damage or losses sustained by the severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides that began June 22: Clay, Fayette, Greenbrier, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Roane, Summers and Webster counties.

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What West Virginians Should Expect After FEMA Registration

How the Public Can Support Disaster Recovery

Release Date: March 31, 2012
Release Number: 4059-011

» More Information on West Virginia Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, And Lanslides
» More Information on West Virginia Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Mudslides, And Landslides

CHARLESTON, W. Va. — As disaster-affected West Virginians work to recover from this spring’s tornados, severe storms and flooding, they are finding support from many agencies, churches and members of the public. Although the flow of food and the providing of shelter and emergency relief have slowed, the long process of recovery is just beginning.

Storm survivors are helped by various government programs, but volunteer and faith-based groups play crucial roles. They work on case management, provide labor for rebuilding homes and assist with other unmet disaster-related needs.

Those who want to help their neighbors recover from disaster have three main avenues.

Financial Donations:
Cash donations facilitate the efficient use of resources for the precise needs of survivors. This money also empowers groups to leverage funds with volunteer labor making each dollar stretch further. To make a financial contribution to the West Virginia recovery efforts, send your check to:

WV Long-Term Recovery Fund
VolunteerWV, Inc.
PO Box 6475
Charleston, WV 25362

Donations to this fund will be shared among groups and agencies that are assisting residents of West Virginia to recover. Be sure to write “Long-Term Recovery” on the memo line of your check.

Goods Donations:
Many folks like to donate goods after a disaster strikes, but these donations often create challenges for people who have to sort, clean and distribute items. Indeed, much of the donated material is unusable and winds up being discarded. Making a financial contribution as described above helps the most but if you do collect goods for donation, please determine first what is needed, where it is needed and who will manage the donation so it can be given to the appropriate beneficiaries.

Volunteering Time:
Volunteers contribute enormously to disaster relief and recovery. The way to volunteer is to join a charitable or faith-based agency and be trained. VolunteerWV provides support to volunteer-minded West Virginians. The VolunteerWV Web site at www.volunteerwv.org has information on how to help your recovering neighbors.

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.

Last Modified: Monday, 02-Apr-2012 08:53:01

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How the Public Can Support Disaster Recovery