WARREN, Mich. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that more than $51.8 million in federal disaster grants and loans has been approved for Michigan survivors of the Aug. 11-13 storms and flooding.

As of close of business Oct. 9:

58,845 Michigan residents in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne registered for federal disaster assistance;

More than $35.9 million has been approved for housing assistance, including rental assistance and home repair costs;

More than $11.1 million has been approved to cover other essential disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses, lost personal possessions and child care;

More than $4.8 million in low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters, businesses and private nonprofit organizations has been approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration;

More than 100 disaster survivor assistance specialists are strategically positioned throughout the affected communities to explain the types of disaster assistance available;

1,159 residents have visited four disaster recovery centers in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties;

430 housing inspectors in the field have completed more than 41,005 inspections of damaged properties; and

209 people have received rebuilding advice from mitigation specialists located at four home improvement big-box stores in the affected communities.

Residents can register at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via a smart phone or Web-enabled device at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362. TTY users may call 800-462-7585. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. EDT seven days a week until further notice.

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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. Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/femaregion5, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema.  Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

English: http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4195

Spanish: http://www.fema.gov/es/disaster/4195

 

FEMA News Desk: (586) 574-4222

EMHSD contact: Ron Leix (517) 336-6464

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Federal Disaster Aid in Michigan Tops $51 Million

WARREN, Mich. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reports that more than 400 housing inspectors are in Wayne, Macomb and Oakland counties reaching out to Michigan homeowners and renters who have registered with FEMA for disaster assistance.

These FEMA inspectors are scheduling appointments with registered applicants to document the extent of damage to thousands of properties, but do not determine whether a particular applicant qualifies for FEMA assistance.  

Inspectors will make multiple attempts to contact an applicant and set an appointment for the inspection. Residents who have not received a call from an inspector within one week of registering should call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362.

Homeowners must be able to verify their identity and provide proof of ownership of the property. Renters can show occupancy proof with a driver’s license or a recent utility bill.

Within a few days after the inspection, applicants will be notified by letter, text or email alert to advise them of the decision about their claim. Applicants appealing a decision may do so in writing within 60 days of the decision.

Guidelines for appeals can be found in the Applicant’s Handbook sent to everyone who registers with FEMA.

FEMA’s contracted housing inspectors carry FEMA identification and are thoroughly trained. These inspectors use specialized software to ensure every resident receives the same inspection for consideration.

Experienced inspectors re-visit a random sample of applicants to assess the quality and content of the inspection performed.

Residents can register at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via a smart phone or Web-enabled device at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-FEMA (3362). TTY users may call 800-462-7585. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. EDT seven days a week until further notice.

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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. Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/femaregion5, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema.  Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

English: http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4195
Spanish: http://www.fema.gov/es/disaster/4195

FEMA News Desk: (586) 574-4222
EMHSD contact: Ron Leix (517) 336-6464
 

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FEMA Housing Inspectors Contacting Flood Survivors

DENVER—National Flood Insurance policyholders whose homes or other structures were damaged by flooding have until November 14, 2013, to file claims for their losses.

A Proof of Loss form includes detailed estimates of the cost to replace or repair damaged property.

Proof of loss substantiates the damage claim and is required before the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) can make payment. File damage claims with your NFIP insurance company and work with your adjuster to get the proof of loss forms.

If owners notice additional damage to buildings or property, they can file supplemental claims. To do this, immediately notify the insurance adjuster, document the newly discovered damage, then repeat the documentation and filing process used on the original claim. Owners are urged to keep a copy of this packet.

Policy owners who would like to speak to someone in person regarding their claim are urged to go to their local Disaster Recovery Center where staff members are available to provide assistance. To find the DRC closest to you, go to fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers

For more information about flood insurance, go to floodsmart.gov

Register with FEMA by phone: 800-621-3362 or online at: DisasterAssistance.gov. Multilingual phone operators are available on the FEMA helpline. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages.

People who have a speech disability or are deaf or hard of hearing may call (TTY) 800-462-7585; users of 711 or Video Relay Service can call 800-621-3362.

Register by Web-enabled device, tablet or smartphone: type m.fema.gov in the browser.

View article – 

NFIP Proof of Loss Claims Due By Nov. 14

WINDSOR, Conn. – Not every Connecticut resident who registered for federal disaster assistance following Hurricane Sandy will qualify for aid. But an appeal process can ensure those affected by the storm will receive all aid to which they are legally eligible.

An applicant has 60 days from the day a determination letter arrives to appeal the FEMA decision.

To file an appeal, write a letter explaining why the decision about the amount or type of assistance received is not correct. The letter should include any documents supporting the applicant’s claim.

The letter should also include:

  • the FEMA Disaster number (DR-4087-CT);
  • the applicant’s FEMA registration number;
  • the last four digits of the applicant’s Social Security number; and
  • the applicant’s name on all pages of the letter.

Additional information is available on Pages 9-11 of the FEMA booklet, “Help after a Disaster: Applicant’s Guide to the Individuals & Households Program.”

The letter must be signed, dated and mailed to:

FEMA

National Processing Service Center
P.O. Box 10055
Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055

Letters may also be faxed to 800-827-8112 with a cover sheet to: Attention – FEMA.

If applicants do not get the assistance they expected, the FEMA appeal process is a way to revisit the survivor’s application and information.

Applicants who do not understand the FEMA determination letter should ask questions via the FEMA helpline, 800-621-3362, or visit a Disaster Recovery Center. For the location of a convenient recovery center, go to: http://go.usa.gov/g2Td.

For a video on filing an appeal: http://go.usa.gov/ggkF

The deadline to register is Dec. 31. Registering for disaster assistance with other agencies or organizations does not register survivors for FEMA disaster assistance. Having FEMA flood insurance does not register policyholders for disaster assistance; flood insurance claims are handled separately.

Register online anytime day or night at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or with a smartphone or other Web-enabled device at m.fema.gov. Register or get questions answered by phone anytime by calling FEMA at 800-621-3362. The TTY number is 800-462-7585. Multilingual operators are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Wait for the English message to finish to reach the multilingual operators.

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Federal Disaster Assistance Includes Right of Appeal

WINDSOR, Conn. – The FEMA-State Disaster Recovery Center at the Groton Senior Center, 102 Newtown Road, Groton, will close at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 5.

Help is still available for residents with damage from Hurricane Sandy.  Register online or through the FEMA Helpline call center. The deadline to register is Dec. 31.

Survivors can register online anytime day or night at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or with a smartphone or other Web-enabled device at m.fema.gov. Survivors can also register by phone anytime by calling FEMA at 800-621-3362. The TTY number is 800-462-7585. Multilingual operators are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Wait for the English message to

finish to reach the multilingual operators.

Registering for disaster assistance with other agencies or organizations does not register survivors for FEMA disaster assistance. Having FEMA flood insurance does not register policyholders for disaster assistance; flood insurance claims are handled separately.

Homeowners or renters who suffered damages in counties designated for disaster assistance can visit any of the other Disaster Recovery Centers. For the location of the nearest center, go to: http://go.usa.gov/g2Td.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362. For TTY, call 800-462-7585.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and covers 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.

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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Groton Disaster Recovery Center to Close