FEMA DSA Teams Helping New Jersey Hurricane Ida Survivors

Trenton, NJ – FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance teams are assisting survivors in New Jersey counties affected by Hurricane Ida. These teams help survivors register for federal assistance, identify potential needs and make connections with local, state, federal and voluntary agencies with resources to assist them.

The DSA teams provide survivors a means to access and apply for disaster assistance.

They are operating at fixed locations such as community centers, libraries, covered parking lots, etc. The teams are following CDC safety guidelines for COVID-19 including social distancing and use of protective equipment. Locations are determined by local officials and near the most heavily impacted areas.

DSA helps survivors in different ways:

• Conduct outreach in the 12 designated counties of Bergen, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Union and Warren.
• Assist survivors to register for FEMA assistance.
• Check the status of an application already in the system and can make minor changes to applications.
• Make callouts to faith-based organizations, community-based organizations, private sector (businesses) and public libraries that may have the capability to distribute disaster-related information to survivors in the impacted counties.
• Identify organizations providing disaster-related services and/or resources to the general public for immediate and long-term recovery.
• Gather situational awareness about impacts to communities.
• Provide flyers in English, Spanish and nine other languages explaining how to apply for disaster assistance.
• Provide civil rights and disability integration assistance information to ensure equal access.

Information provided by the teams are tailored to the individual survivor’s needs and may include information on making temporary repairs to a disaster-damaged house, pay for another short-term place to live while permanent repairs are made and/or help with serious, disaster-related needs not covered by other programs.  

DSA teams never require survivors to provide personal information. DSA team members can easily be identified by their federal photo identifications and FEMA clothing. New Jersey residents are reminded to ask for official photo identification before sharing personal information.

FEMA employees do not solicit or accept money from disaster survivors. FEMA staff never charge applicants for disaster assistance, inspections or help with registration.

Survivors do not need to contact a DSA team member to register with FEMA. Residents who sustained damage or losses caused by Hurricane Ida can register with FEMA in the following ways:

• Online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
• Use a cell phone to register through http://m.FEMA.gov; click “Apply Online for FEMA Assistance,” and you will be directed to DisasterAssistance.gov.

• If it is not possible to apply online, call 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585). The toll-free telephone lines are currently operating 24 hours per day, seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.

By registering with FEMA, survivors may qualify for federal grants to pay for essential home repair or replacement or to rent a temporary home. In addition, help may be available to pay for other disaster-related needs, such as medical, dental, transportation and funeral expenses, moving and storage fees, personal property loss and childcare, not covered by insurance.

Registering with FEMA is also the first step in qualifying for help from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Low-interest disaster loans from SBA are available to businesses of all sizes (including landlords), homeowners, renters and private nonprofit organizations to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance. Low-interest disaster loans help fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged real estate and personal property.

amir.nijem Wed, 09/22/2021 - 14:36

FEMA Explains Processes for Island’s Power Grid Projects

Guaynabo, Puerto Rico –The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is working closely with the Government of Puerto Rico, the Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction and Resiliency (COR3), the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau (PREB) and the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) to move forward with projects to transform the island’s electrical system. PREPA has an obligation of over $9.4 billion for these efforts, which represents the largest allocation of funds in FEMA’s history.

Currently, there are 77 PREPA projects reflected in the portal used by FEMA to formulate projects and perform all related functions prior to the approval of specific projects. At the moment, PREPA is working on the designs and pre-designs to repair substations, transmission lines and PREPA buildings throughout the island. In order for these projects to move to the FEMA evaluation phase, however, PREPA must first provide scopes of work that further detail how the work will be performed.

Regarding the next steps once the scopes of work are received, FEMA’s Director of External Affairs in Puerto Rico, Juan Andrés Muñoz Torres, explained that “from here, the Agency evaluates so that that all federal environmental and historic preservation laws are enforced.”

“In addition, FEMA identifies possible opportunities to prevent similar damage in the future through our Hazard Mitigation Grant Program,” he added, while emphasizing that the Agency’s goal is to help these projects become tangible construction for the benefit of all Puerto Ricans.

In 2020, FEMA announced the FEMA Accelerated Awards Strategy (FAASt), which allows critical infrastructure projects to be grouped together in order to expedite energy grid work in Puerto Rico. “This initiative is innovative and allows us to evaluate projects along the way, forging new paths in the island's unprecedented recovery.”

Likewise, all projects that PREPA submits to FEMA must have the approval of PREB, which is the entity in charge of regulating and supervising the island’s energy industry. The first project approvals by PREB occurred this past June. 

To date, PREPA has not requested any reimbursement of funds to COR3 for incurred costs related to permanent work.

To access more information on the recovery of Puerto Rico from Hurricane María, visit fema.gov/disaster/4339 and recuperacion.pr. Follow us on social media at Facebook.com/FEMAPuertoRico, Facebook.com/COR3pr and Twitter @COR3pr.

frances.acevedo-pico Wed, 09/22/2021 - 11:10

More than $9.3 Million in Federal Disaster Assistance Approved for the Severe Storms and Flooding in Middle Tennessee

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – One month after the federal disaster declaration for the Aug. 21 severe storms and flooding in Middle Tennessee, more than $9.3 million in federal funds has been provided directly to Tennesseans to aid in their recovery.

Help for survivors in the designated counties of Dickson, Hickman, Houston and Humphreys includes grants from FEMA and low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Policyholders in the National Flood Insurance Program have also been receiving payouts for their claims. As of Sept. 20, more than 2,200 Tennessee households have contacted FEMA for help.

• As of Sept. 20, Tennesseans received more than $9.3 million through funding from FEMA and SBA.
  • Of that total, more than $3.7 million in FEMA individual assistance has gone to homeowners and renters whose insurance, or other forms of disaster assistance received, could not meet their disaster-caused needs. More than $1.2 million has been provided to residents for Other Needs Assistance, which includes grants to replace damaged personal property as well as expenses for transportation, medical and other disaster-related needs.
  • Homeowners, renters and businesses have been approved over $4.4 million in low-interest disaster loans from SBA to repair, rebuild and replace damaged property and contents. SBA offers low-interest disaster loans to businesses of all sizes, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters.
• As of Sept. 20, NFIP policyholders received more than $5.1 million in more than 46 claims to repair and rebuild flood-damaged property.
• More than 1,900 survivors visited three Multi-Agency Resource Centers (MARCs). The first center in Waverly (Humphreys County) opened Aug. 28, less than one week after the presidential disaster declaration, and remains open.
• Approximately 1,200 FEMA housing inspections have been completed.
• FEMA disaster survivor assistance specialists canvassed the affected communities and interacted with more than 1,100 survivors to encourage them to register for help, while providing them with recovery information and listening to their concerns.
• The deadline for survivors to apply for federal aid is Oct. 25, 2021. Survivors can apply for FEMA Assistance in any of the following ways:
  • Online through DisasterAssistance.gov
  • Download the FEMA app to a smartphone or tablet.
  • Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585). 
  • Because of the recent hurricane and other severe storms, flooding and fires across the country, wait times may be long. Please be patient. Lines are open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.

Assistance to local, county and state governments:

Local, county and state government infrastructure and certain private nonprofit organizations, including houses of worship, in Dickson, Hickman, Houston and Humphreys counties are eligible for Public Assistance. This includes debris removal, emergency protective measures taken to eliminate or lessen immediate threats to lives, public health or safety. Public Assistance also includes permanent repair or replacement of public infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, as well as public facilities, such government buildings, schools and parks.

###

bree-constance… Tue, 09/21/2021 - 21:06

FEMA Expands Outreach in Western North Carolina FEMA Expands Outreach in Western North Carolina

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams are going door-to-door in Buncombe, Haywood and Transylvania counties and two mobile registration centers will continue operating in Haywood County this week.

FEMA mobile units, which began operation Sept. 18, are at these locations from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday, Sept. 24:

• East Fork Baptist Church -- 13175 Cruso Rd, Canton, NC 28716 
• Canton Recreation Park -- 77 Penland St., Canton, NC 28716 

FEMA personnel at the centers can help residents in Buncombe, Haywood and Transylvania counties who were impacted by Tropical Storm Fred apply for federal assistance. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) also will have personnel at the sites to answer questions and refer applicants to the two Business Recovery Centers SBA is operating:

• Haywood Community College Regional High-Tech Center, 112 Industrial Park Dr., Room 3021, Waynesville, N.C. 28786. Hours are Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m., closed Saturday and Sunday.
• Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, 1465 Sand Hill Rd., Suite 1054, Candler, NC 28715. Hours are Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.–2 p.m., closed: Sunday.

The DSA teams are going door to door to help residents apply for FEMA assistance, offer referrals to other resources, check the status of an existing application and answer questions about disaster assistance.

DSA teams wear FEMA attire and have federal photo identification badges. FEMA personnel never ask for money.

There are several ways to apply for FEMA assistance: Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA app, or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Multilingual lines are open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. local time, seven days a week. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.

The deadline for applications is Nov. 8, 2021.

For more information about Tropical Storm Fred recovery in North Carolina, visit fema.gov/disaster/4617 and ncdps.gov/TSFred. Follow us on Twitter: @NCEmergency and @FEMARegion4.

###

FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. 

brianasummer.fenton Tue, 09/21/2021 - 20:32

DRC Open in Essex and Morris Counties

Trenton, NJ – Disaster Recovery Centers opened today in Essex and Morris counties to help residents in New Jersey affected by the remnants of Hurricane Ida.  

Representatives from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration are available at the centers to explain disaster assistance programs, answer questions about written correspondence and provide literature about repairs and rebuilding to make homes more disaster resistant.

The DRCs are located at:

• Essex County: Kmart – Co-located with a Vaccination Center, 235 Prospect Avenue #9413, West Orange, NJ 07052
  • • Open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday ET;  8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; and Closed Sundays
• Morris County: Morris Plains Community Center, 51 Jim Fear Dr., Morris Plains, NJ 07950
  • • Open 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET. Monday through Thursday; Closed: Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Individuals in Bergen, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Union, and Warren counties are eligible to apply for disaster assistance.

Survivors can ask questions or seek further information in person at the DRC, in addition to online or by phone. Survivors can visit any of the DRC locations and find their closest location through the FEMA App.  To download the FEMA App please visit the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.

Additional centers are open in the following locations:

• Hudson County: Secaucus Public Library and Business Resource Center, 1379 Paterson Plank Rd., Secaucus 07094
  • Open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday
• Hunterdon County: Union Fire Company #1, 230 N. Main St., Lambertville 08530
  • • Open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
• Bergen County: Ciarco Learning Center, 355 Main St., Hackensack 07652
  • • Open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Monday through Saturday; Closed Sundays
• Mercer County: Hollowbrook Community Center, 320 Hollowbrook Drive, Trenton 08638
  • • Open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
• Middlesex County: Middlesex Fire Academy, 1001 Fire Academy Drive, Cafeteria B, Sayreville 08872
  • • Open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
• Passaic County: Civic Center, 19 Warren St., Little Falls 07424
  • Open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
• Gloucester County: Mullica Hill Library, 389 Wolfert Station Road, Mullica Hill 08062
  • Open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m.to 5 p.m.; Sunday 1 – 5 p.m.
• Somerset County: North End Volunteer Fire Company #3, 169 North 8th Ave., Manville 08835
  • Open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
• Union County: Elizabeth O’Donnell Dempsey Senior Community Center, 618 Salem Ave., Elizabeth 07208
  • Open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

FEMA and NJOEM are committed to opening DRCs in each of the designated counties. These additional centers will be opening soon to support survivors.

If you have homeowners or renters insurance, you should file a claim as soon as possible. By law, FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If you are uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for federal assistance.

The fastest and easiest way to apply is by visiting disasterassistance.gov/.

If it is not possible to apply online, call 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585). The toll-free telephone lines operate are currently operating 24 hours per day, seven days a week. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.

When you apply for assistance, have the following information readily available:

• A current phone number where you can be contacted
• Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying
• Your Social Security number, if available
• A general list of damage and losses
• If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name

Disaster assistance may include financial help for temporary lodging and home repairs along with other programs to assist families recover from the effects of the event.

amir.nijem Mon, 09/20/2021 - 21:57

Read Your Determination Letter Carefully

TRENTON. N.J. – Hurricane Ida survivors who have registered with FEMA and applied for disaster assistance might have or will receive a letter explaining the current status of their application.  FEMA also communicates with applicants through electronic notification via email, online through disasterassistance.gov/, or letters sent through the U.S. Postal Service.

It is strongly encouraged that survivors read that letter very carefully.  This letter informs the types of assistance FEMA has determined you are eligible or ineligible to receive, the amounts of assistance FEMA is providing for each eligible need, the reasons an applicant is ineligible for the applicable types of assistance, an explanation of the appeals process, and other key information regarding disaster assistance, including proper use of disaster assistance funds..

If FEMA requires more information to process an applicant’s request, an applicant may receive a letter requesting additional information.  For example:

• Utility bills to prove the damaged property was the primary residence at the time of the disaster;
• Insurance paperwork that is still pending, which will determine other programs the survivor will be eligible for with FEMA;
• A pay stub or a government-issued picture ID that has the damaged property listed;
• Proof of home ownership like copies of mortgage payments or a house deed to prove ownership;
• A renter’s lease to prove occupancy; or
• The completed U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Loan application.

 

If the survivor has complied with all of FEMA’s requests and is still deemed ineligible but disagrees, you may appeal the decision. FEMA reviews applicant’s written appeals and documentation received supporting the appeal. Appeals may relate to eligibility, the amount or type of help provided, a late application, a request to return money, or continuing help. You must appeal within 60 days of the date on your eligibility notification letter.

The applicant’s appeal letter must explain the reason(s) for appeal (why you think the decision about the amount or type of assistance is not correct) and must be signed by the applicant or person who the applicant authorizes to act on their behalf.   The appeal submission should also include the following information:

• Applicant’s full name
• Applicant’s FEMA Application Number and Disaster Number
• Address of the applicant’s pre-disaster primary residence
• Applicant’s current phone number and address

Be sure to date and sign the letter. Include your nine-digit FEMA registration number on each page.

Mail the letter to FEMA National Processing Service Center, P.O. Box 10055 Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055, or fax the letter to 1-800-827-8112.

Appeal letters and supporting documentation also can be uploaded to your account on DisasterAssistance.gov.

For questions about the letter or the entire appeal process, applicants should call 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585. Operators are currently on duty seven days a week, twenty-four (24) hours a day

For questions about eligibility letters, survivors can visit DisasterAssistance.gov or call the disaster assistance helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585). Multilingual operators are available.

If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.

If you have homeowners or renters insurance, you should file a claim as soon as possible. By law, FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If you are uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for federal assistance.

The fastest and easiest way to apply is by visiting disasterassistance.gov/.

If it is not possible to apply online, call 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585). The toll-free telephone lines are currently operating twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven days a week. Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption or CapTel should update FEMA with their specific number assigned to that service.

When you apply for assistance, have the following information readily available:

• A current phone number where you can be contacted
• Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying
• Your Social Security number, if available
• A general list of damage and losses
• If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name

As soon as it is safe to do so, start cleaning up. Take photos to document damage and begin cleanup and repairs to prevent further damage. Remember to keep receipts from all purchases related to the cleanup and repair.

Businesses and residents can apply online at disasterloanassistance.sba.gov. For questions and assistance completing an application, call 800-659-2955 or email DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov. SBA will answer specific questions about how a disaster loan may help each survivor recover from the disaster damage.

amir.nijem Mon, 09/20/2021 - 21:41

FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance State-by-State Breakdown

WASHINGTON -- FEMA has provided over $1.1 billion to nearly 170,000 people to assist with COVID-19-related funeral costs for deaths occurring on or after Jan. 20, 2020.

Eligibility determinations are not driven by state/location; instead, they are based on when the applicant submits all required documentation.

“Applications” in the below chart reflect the number of individuals who called to begin the assistance process.

Please find state-specific information below:

State/Territory

Applications

Amount Approved

Number of Awards

ALABAMA

6,620

$26,045,678

3,764

ALASKA

161

$443,406

78

AMERICAN SAMOA

Less than 10

$9,000

Less than 10

ARIZONA

4,784

$14,541,326

2,817

ARKANSAS

3,037

$11,100,156

1,739

CALIFORNIA

28,298

$111,811,803

17,120

COLORADO

2,193

$7,510,292

1,328

COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANAS

Less than 10

$4,344

Less than 10

CONNECTICUT

3,245

$15,408,928

2,215

DELAWARE

841

$3,126,506

493

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

528

$1,993,231

291

FLORIDA

18,561

$53,104,247

9,351

GEORGIA

10,929

$43,986,389

6,326

GUAM

16

$51,162

Less than 10

HAWAII

290

$877,689

151

IDAHO

624

$1,900,595

331

ILLINOIS

11,495

$50,263,650

7,332

INDIANA

4,883

$22,149,118

3,151

IOWA

2,377

$11,653,863

1,618

KANSAS

2,328

$9,753,715

1,485

KENTUCKY

3,845

$17,183,587

2,393

LOUISIANA

5,338

$21,650,600

3,141

MAINE

376

$1,149,257

210

MARYLAND

5,345

$22,591,800

3,343

MASSACHUSETTS

5,446

$24,944,102

3,575

MICHIGAN

9,218

$36,678,218

5,993

MINNESOTA

2,666

$12,696,266

1,836

MISSISSIPPI

4,639

$18,061,177

2,657

MISSOURI

5,398

$20,539,554

3,246

MONTANA

520

$1,350,429

259

NEBRASKA

1,188

$5,531,638

776

NEVADA

2,485

$7,284,522

1,309

NEW HAMPSHIRE

651

$2,531,164

419

NEW JERSEY

11,350

$49,950,976

7,178

NEW MEXICO

1,538

$4,198,605

811

NEW YORK

24,743

$103,264,737

14,863

NORTH CAROLINA

8,562

$34,550,433

5,170

NORTH DAKOTA

650

$3,082,539

410

OHIO

9,361

$41,148,310

6,348

OKLAHOMA

4,001

$16,092,890

2,503

OREGON

919

$2,586,614

487

PENNSYLVANIA

12,266

$54,942,173

8,322

PUERTO RICO

1,278

$2,248,792

620

RHODE ISLAND

1,109

$4,442,750

641

SOUTH CAROLINA

5,905

$24,982,875

3,584

SOUTH DAKOTA

689

$3,327,994

451

TENNESSEE

7,132

$30,424,332

4,395

TEXAS

25,710

$101,775,023

15,508

U, S. VIRGIN ISLANDS

31

$89,994

15

UTAH

1,115

$4,842,402

687

VERMONT

134

$565,055

94

VIRGINIA

6,011

$25,657,613

3,828

WASHINGTON

1,938

$5,865,402

1,056

WEST VIRGINIA

1,486

$5,715,070

837

WISCONSIN

4,274

$18,848,955

2,865

WYOMING

280

$1,026,862

178

 

* Funeral assistance data can/will change daily; the information reflects data as of 8 a.m. EDT Monday, Sept. 20, 2021.

Applicants may apply by calling 844-684-6333 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. EDT, Monday through Friday. Multilingual services are available. Please note, phone calls from FEMA may come from an unidentified number. Applicants who use a relay service, such as a videophone, Innocaption or CapTel, should provide FEMA with the specific number assigned to them for that service so that agency representatives are able to contact them.

Additional information about COVID-19 funeral assistance, including frequently asked questions, is available on FEMA.gov.

amy.ashbridge Mon, 09/20/2021 - 18:52

Pennsylvania/FEMA Disaster Center Will Open in Chester County to Help Pennsylvanians

PHILADELPHIA, PA - The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania / FEMA Disaster Recovery Center located at Ashbridge Square Shopping Center, 945 East Lancaster Avenue, Downingtown opened on Monday, September 20, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. to help those whose homes or personal property were affected by the remnants of Hurricane Ida between August 31 -September 5, 2021.

The Chester County DRC Location and Hours Are:

Ashbridge Square Shopping Center (next to Staples and Home Depot)

945 E Lancaster Ave

Downingtown, PA

Hours of Operation:

Monday - Friday: 10 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

The Chester County DRC will be closed on Sundays

Disaster Recovery Centers provide disaster survivors with information from Pennsylvania state agencies, FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Survivors can get help applying for federal assistance, learn about the types of assistance available, learn about the appeals process and get updates on applications.

Visiting a Disaster Recovery Center is not required to register with FEMA. To register:

• Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Multilingual operators are available. Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585. If you use 711 or VRS (Video Relay Service) or require accommodations while visiting a center, call 800-621-3362. The toll-free numbers are open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
  • Help is available in most languages, and information on the registration process is available in ASL at fema.gov/media-library/assets/videos/111546.
• Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov (also in Spanish);

• Download the FEMA mobile app (also in Spanish), also available at Google Play or the Apple App Store.

Disaster Recovery Centers are accessible to people with disabilities. They have assistive technology equipment that allows disaster survivors to use amplified telephones, phones that display text, amplified listening devices for people with hearing loss, and magnifiers for people with vision loss. Video Remote Interpreting is available and in-person sign language is available by request. The centers also have accessible parking, ramps and restrooms.

FEMA’s Individual Assistance program is designed to help survivors with immediate essential needs and to help displaced survivors find a safe, functional place to live temporarily until they can return home. Many survivors may have additional needs beyond what can be provided by FEMA. The agency works closely with state, federal, faith-based and voluntary agencies to help match survivors who have remaining needs with other sources of assistance.

For information about SBA’s disaster assistance, call 1-800-659-2955, email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visit SBA’s website at SBA.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard of hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.

Additional agencies and services will be present once the DRCs reach full operational capability next week. All centers will follow COVID-19 precautions and masks will be required by both FEMA specialists and survivors.

For updates on the Pennsylvania response and recovery, follow the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency twitter.com/PEMAHQ on Twitter and Facebook https://m.facebook.com/PEMAHQ/.

For more information on how to register, please visit: How to Register with FEMA for Disaster Assistance in Pennsylvania | FEMA.gov

For more information on what to expect after you register, please visit: What to Expect After Registering for FEMA Disaster Assistance in PA | FEMA.gov

For more information about Pennsylvania’s recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4816.

The registration deadline for FEMA Disaster Assistance in Pennsylvania is November 10, 2021.

###

All FEMA disaster assistance will be provided without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment), sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, limited English proficiency, economic status. If you believe your civil rights are being violated, you can call the Civil Rights Resource line at 833-285-7448 or 800-462-7585 (TTY/TDD).

FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. FEMA Region 3’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. 

Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion3 and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/femaregion3

amanda.hancher Mon, 09/20/2021 - 18:12

How to Document Home Ownership and Occupancy for FEMA How to Document Home Ownership and Occupancy for FEMA

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – As part of the disaster assistance process, FEMA must determine ownership and occupancy of damaged primary residences. Recently, the agency took steps to make it easier for disaster survivors in Buncombe, Haywood and Transylvania counties who experienced flooding from Tropical Storm Fred to verify ownership and occupancy.

Owners and renters must be able to prove they occupied the disaster-damaged primary residence before receiving Housing Assistance and some types of Other Needs Assistance. FEMA now accepts a broader range of documentation:

Ownership:

• Homeowners may provide official documentation such as:
  • The original deed or deed of trust to the property
  • A mortgage statement or escrow analysis
  • Property tax receipt or property tax bill
  • Manufactured home certificate or title

 

• In addition, FEMA will now accept a public official’s letter or receipts for major repairs or improvements. The public official’s statement (e.g. police chief, mayor, postmaster) must include the name of the applicant, the address of the disaster-damaged residence, the period of occupation and the name and telephone number of the official providing the verification.
• Survivors with heirship properties, mobile homes or travel trailers who do not have the traditional documentation of ownership may self-certify ownership as a last resort.
• Homeowners with the same address from a previous disaster only need to verify ownership one time. FEMA has also expanded the date of eligible documents from three months to one year before the disaster.

Occupancy:

• Homeowners and renters must document that they occupied the dwelling at the time of the disaster.

• Applicants may provide official occupancy documentation, such as:
  • Utility bills, bank or credit card statements, phone bills, etc.
  • Employer’s statement
  • Written lease agreement
  • Rent receipts
  • Public official’s statement

 

• FEMA will now accept motor vehicle registration, letters from local schools (public or private), federal or state benefit providers, social service organizations or court documents.
• Applicants can also use a signed statement from a commercial or mobile home park owner, or self-certification for a mobile home or travel trailer as a last resort.
• If survivors have successfully verified occupancy to FEMA from a previous disaster within a two-year period, they do not need to do it again.

Applicants in North Carolina who need free legal assistance regarding home ownership documentation and cannot afford an attorney may call the Disaster Legal Aid hotline at 866-219-5262. Hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Extended hours on Monday and Thursdays are from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. More information is available at www.legalaidnc.org/.

To apply for FEMA disaster assistance, go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, call 800-621-3362, or use the FEMA app for smartphones. If you use a relay service, such as a videophone, InnoCaption or CapTel, give FEMA the number for that service. Lines are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. local time, seven days a week. The deadline for applications is Nov. 8, 2021.

For an accessible video on how to apply for FEMA assistance, go to youtube.com/watch?v=WZGpWI2RCNw.

For more information about Tropical Storm Fred recovery in North Carolina, visit fema.gov/disaster/4617 and ncdps.gov/TSFred. Follow us on Twitter: @NCEmergency and @FEMARegion4.

###

FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. 

brianasummer.fenton Mon, 09/20/2021 - 16:27

Read Determination Letters Carefully

BROOKLYN, N.Y. -- If you have registered with FEMA and applied for disaster assistance after the Remnants of Hurricane Ida, you might have received a FEMA letter by regular U.S. Postal Service mail or by email.

Read that letter very carefully. It may include eligibility notifications and/or request for more information. Eligibility Notification letters inform the applicant of the types of assistance FEMA has determined you are eligible or ineligible to receive, the amounts of assistance FEMA is providing from each eligible need, the reasons you are ineligible, an explanation of the appeals process, and other key information regarding disaster assistance, including proper use of funds.

If you receive an ineligible decision, it isn’t always the final word. If you disagree with a FEMA eligibility decision you may appeal the decision. FEMA reviews the applicant’s written appeal and documentation received from the applicant supporting the appeal. Upon review, FEMA either provides a written decision to you or requests more information. If FEMA upholds a decision on an appeal, FEMA’s decision is considered final and will generally not be reconsidered.

It could be that you just need to provide more information. Maybe:

• You didn’t prove the damaged home was your primary residence at the time of the disaster, or that you lived in the home at the time. FEMA has recently expanded the types of documentation that FEMA will accept to support your request for assistance.
• The U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loan application has not been returned. This application is used to determine if you may be eligible for other grant programs or assistance.  Not returning the application will disqualify you from them and you do not have to accept a loan if one is offered.

If you disagree with a FEMA eligibility decision you may appeal the decision. FEMA reviews the applicant’s written appeal and documentation received from the applicant supporting the appeal. Upon review, FEMA either provides a written decision to you or requests more information. If FEMA upholds a decision on an appeal, FEMA’s decision is considered final and will generally not be reconsidered. You can appeal your eligibility, the amount or type of help provided to you, a late application denial, a request to return money, or continuing help. The appeal must be sent to FEMA and postmarked within 60 days of the date the decision letter is received. To appeal, follow these steps:

• Explain the reason(s) for appeal and must be signed by the applicant or person who the applicant authorizes to act on their behalf.
• Include your full name, date of birth, current address, disaster number, and FEMA registration number.
• Be sure to date and sign the letter. Include your nine-digit FEMA registration number on each page.
• Applicant’s signature with one of the following: Notary stamp or seal; or the statement “I hereby declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.”
• Mail the letter to FEMA National Processing Service Center, P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055.
• Or fax the form to 800-827-8112.
• Appeal letters and supporting documentation can be uploaded to your account on DisasterAssistance.gov if you have set one up.
• For questions about the letter or the entire appeal process, you can visit DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA mobile app or by calling 800.621.3362. If you use a relay service, such as a videophone, InnoCaption, or CapTel, give FEMA the number for that service.  Operators are on duty seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time.

For referrals to agencies that support community specific need, contact your nearest 211 counts center at https://www.211nys.org/contact-us.  In NYC call 311 for outlying area, call 211.

zella.campbell Mon, 09/20/2021 - 16:02

DRC Opens in Hudson County

Trenton, NJ – A Disaster Recovery Center opened today in Hudson county to help residents in New Jersey affected by the remnants of Hurricane Ida.  

Representatives from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration are available at the centers to explain disaster assistance programs, answer questions about written correspondence and provide literature about repairs and rebuilding to make homes more disaster resistant.

The DRC is located at:

• Hudson County: Secaucus Public Library and Business Resource Center, 1379 Paterson Plank Rd, Secaucus, NJ 07094
  • Open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; and 9 a.m.to 2 p.m. Sunday 

Individuals in Bergen, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Union, and Warren counties are eligible to apply for disaster assistance.

Survivors can ask questions or seek further information in person at the DRC, in addition to online or by phone. Survivors can visit any of the DRC locations and find their closest location through the FEMA App.  To download the FEMA App please visit the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store

Additional centers are open in the following locations:

• Hunterdon County: Union Fire Company #1, 230 N. Main St., Lambertville 08530
  • Open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
• Bergen County: Ciarco Learning Center, 355 Main St., Hackensack 07652
  • Open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Monday through Saturday; Closed Sundays
• Mercer County: Hollowbrook Community Center, 320 Hollowbrook Drive, Trenton 08638
  • Open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
• Middlesex County: Middlesex Fire Academy, 1001 Fire Academy Drive, Cafeteria B, Sayreville 08872
  • Open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
• Passaic County: Civic Center, 19 Warren St., Little Falls 07424
  • Open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
• Gloucester County: Mullica Hill Library, 389 Wolfert Station Road, Mullica Hill 08062
  • Open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday Sunday 1 – 5 p.m.
• Somerset County: North End Volunteer Fire Company #3, 169 North 8th Ave., Manville 08835
  • Open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
• Union County: Elizabeth O’Donnell Dempsey Senior Community Center, 618 Salem Ave., Elizabeth 07208
  • Open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

FEMA and NJOEM are committed to opening DRCs in each of the designated counties. These additional centers will be opening soon to support survivors.

If you have homeowners or renters insurance, you should file a claim as soon as possible. By law, FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If you are uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for federal assistance.

The fastest and easiest way to apply is by visiting disasterassistance.gov/.

If it is not possible to apply online, call 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585). The toll-free telephone lines operate are currently operating 24 hours per day, seven days a week. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.

When you apply for assistance, have the following information readily available:

• A current phone number where you can be contacted
• Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying
• Your Social Security number, if available
• A general list of damage and losses
• If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name

Disaster assistance may include financial help for temporary lodging and home repairs along with other programs to assist families recover from the effects of the event.

amir.nijem Mon, 09/20/2021 - 15:07

Survivors in Warren County Can Now Apply for FEMA Assistance

Trenton, NJ – Today, Warren County was designated for Individual Assistance. The county will now join the previously designated counties of Bergen, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset and Union.

If you have homeowners or renters insurance, you should file a claim as soon as possible. By law, FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If you are uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for federal assistance.

The fastest and easiest way to apply is by visiting disasterassistance.gov/.

If it is not possible to apply online, call 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585). The toll-free telephone lines are currently operating 24 hours per day, seven days a week. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.

When you apply for assistance, have the following information readily available:

• A current phone number where you can be contacted
• Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying
• Your Social Security number, if available
• A general list of damage and losses
• If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name

Disaster assistance may include financial help for temporary lodging and home repairs along with other programs to assist families recover from the effects of the event.

amir.nijem Mon, 09/20/2021 - 13:49

Federal Funds Available to Help Reduce Future Disaster Risk

CHICAGO – As recovery from the late June storms and flooding continues, Michiganders should consider ways to reduce the risk of damage to their homes and businesses when future disasters occur. Federal assistance may be available from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to help you do so.

Protect Your Property from Future Disasters Simple steps to make your property more resilient might include:

• Closing any foundation cracks with mortar and masonry caulk or hydraulic cement.
• Making sure you have a sump pump with battery-operated backup in case of electrical failure. Consider hiring a plumber to install a back-flow valve, to push the flow of water and sewer backup away from your property.
• Raising and anchoring service equipment and appliances such as air-conditioning units, water heaters, furnaces, heat pumps, and water meters onto platforms so they are at least one foot above the potential flood height.
• Elevating or moving the electrical panel and major appliances such as washers, dryers and hot-water heaters.
• Building up any sunken areas around the foundation, digging small depressions or installing a French drain to properly channel water, and otherwise improving your yard so it slopes away from the foundation.
• Installing shingles designed to withstand high winds or applying a heavier rubberized membrane under shingles to help reduce or eliminate interior water damage.

Federal Funding Options for Risk Reduction Actions   You may be eligible for funding through FEMA or SBA to take these important steps.

FEMA’s Individuals & Households Program Homeowners who are eligible for FEMA’s individual assistance program may receive additional funds from FEMA for specific risk reduction measures. Eligible actions funded under this program are limited to the following:

1. Roof repair to withstand higher winds and help prevent water infiltration.
2. Elevating a water heater or furnace to avoid future flood damage.
3. Elevating or moving an electrical panel to avoid future flood damage.

FEMA grant funding will only be provided for components that were present and functional prior to the disaster and were damaged by the disaster.  

You will be informed by mail if you qualify for assistance that includes these mitigation measures. These additional funds will be provided within the award amount for homeowners determined eligible for home repair assistance from FEMA. If you received home repair assistance and are unsure whether mitigation funding was included in your grant award, contact the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. You can also visit a recovery center; to find the location nearest you, visit www.FEMA.gov/DRC.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) If you’re approved for a low-interest disaster loan from the SBA to help pay for uninsured or uncompensated losses or damage from the June 25-26 severe storms and flooding, and you want to take risk reduction actions not funded through FEMA’s programs, SBA may be able to help. 

Examples of improvements that SBA’s mitigation loan program might cover include installing retaining walls, back-flow valves, sump pumps, French drains, etc. SBA’s mitigation loan money would be in addition to the amount of the approved loan, but may not exceed 20 percent of total amount of physical damage to real property, including leasehold improvements, and personal property as verified by SBA to a maximum of $200,000 for home loans. It is not necessary for the description of improvements and cost estimates to be submitted with the application. SBA approval of the mitigating measures will be required before any loan increase. Business owners may also be eligible for SBA’s mitigation loan program to fund actions to protect their property from future disaster damage.

For more information, call the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or send an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov. You can also visit your nearest recovery center to talk with an SBA representative.

Learn more about reducing your disaster risk and preparing for emergencies at www.floodsmart.gov/community and www.ready.gov. Find more information about Michigan’s recovery by visiting www.fema.gov/disaster/4607. 

###

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status. Reasonable accommodations, including translation and American Sign Language interpreters via Video Relay Service will be available to ensure effective communication with applicants with limited English proficiency, disabilities, and access and functional needs. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362 (including 711 or Video Relay). If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585.

FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.

troy.christensen Mon, 09/20/2021 - 13:33

FEMA Awards $8.9 Million for Hurricane Irma Recovery in Florida

ORLANDO, Fla. – FEMA has awarded grants totaling $8,912,357 for the State of Florida to reimburse applicants for debris removal, emergency response, repairs and administrative costs following Hurricane Irma in 2017. ­

The FEMA Public Assistance program grants include:   

• Miami-Dade Public Schools: $2,316,803 for removal of more than 12,640 cubic yards of vegetative debris, 80 hazardous leaning trees and 294 hanging limbs from  school buildings, fences and playground equipment,   

• Miami-Dade Public Schools: $2,121,482 for removal of more than 19,700 cubic yards of vegetative debris, 4,577 hazardous leaning trees and hanging limbs from school buildings, fences and playground equipment, 

• Volusia County: $1,559,061 for emergency measures taken to protect life and property, including the cost of emergency pumping for wastewater lift stations, evacuations, medical care and transportation, placement of barricades, safety inspections, security and staffing the emergency operations center.

• Vero Beach: $1,476,514 for repairs to power lines and poles, power generation, transmission and distribution facilities caused by severe flooding and high winds.

• Lee County Electric Cooperative, Inc: $1,438,497 for the administrative costs of tracking and accounting for labor, equipment, materials and other expenses after the storm. 

The program provides grants to state, tribal and local governments, and certain types of private nonprofit organizations, including some houses of worship, so communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies. The Florida Division of Emergency Management works with FEMA during all phases of the program and conducts final reviews of FEMA-approved projects.

The federal share for Public Assistance projects is not less than 75 percent of the eligible cost. The state determines how the nonfederal share of the cost of a project (up to 25 percent) is split with subrecipients such as local and county governments.

                                                                       ###

                   FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.

Nadine.Jones Mon, 09/20/2021 - 12:20

Four Years After Hurricane María, 76 Percent of the Projects Have Allocations from FEMA

Guaynabo, Puerto Rico – The rebuilding of Puerto Rico after Hurricane María encompasses a revitalization of the infrastructure, health and education sectors as well as other areas that presents and improvement in the long-term quality of life of all its citizens. For this purpose, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) allocated more than $25 billion corresponding to 8,460 projects, which boosts the growth of the construction industry on the island and helps reactivate the local economy.

Close to 2,000 projects have been completed or are under construction with the help of FEMA funds. These projects, which include roads, public service buildings and recreational facilities represent an injection of over $44 million. These advances in recovery result from the efforts made between the federal government and the Central Office of Recovery, Reconstruction and Resiliency (COR3) to help address the areas affected by the biggest storm in the modern history of the United States. Each project helps restore the activities in the communities and provides a new beginning for the structures that were left inoperable after the hurricane.

“The recovery’s rhythm accelerates when working in unison with the municipalities, the state government and COR3. All the elements that are part of this historic moment for the Island play an essential part for this recovery to be a successful. This past year we allocated funds for a record number of projects and we trust that the recovery will continue moving in that direction.” said Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator, José G. Baquero.

Economic Revitalization

The economic injection on the island after Hurricane María is one without comparison. This is how Alba Brugueras-Fabre, President of the Puerto Rico Association of Economists, describes it, who mentioned that no other disaster-related federal aid for the island matches the significance of FEMA's multi-million-dollar investment in the island. Brugueras-Fabre added that “there is an impact that goes beyond the present, because as these projects are completed, we will see more changes in our country.”

She highlighted that the effect of the funds will be multi-sectoral, including the banking, housing market and construction, sectors.

In agreement is the President of the Puerto Rico Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America, Umberto J. Donato Solís. The architect explained that the multiplier effect of the recovery funds opens the door for the development of the local economy that transcends the construction sector. Donato Solís mentioned that the sector is ready for the increase in works to be made and that the true opportunity of rebuilding falls on the sustainable growth of Puerto Rico as a result of the capital resources resulting from the recovery.

Reconstruction work progress

At a municipal level, the total of funds allocated represents access to $1.9 billion for permanent works in order to have strengthened and more resilient structures against future disasters.

According to the Federal Recovery Coordinator, one of the areas where the reconstruction activity is most visible are parks, community centers and community recreational places in the neighborhoods of the country. “These facilities are part of the residents’ lifestyle and are the cornerstone of the neighborhoods. That was the feeling at the Juan F. “Cheo” López Baseball Park in Camuy, where the town’s AA baseball fans recently gathered for the first night game in four years thanks to FEMA funding. Likewise, today, more than 1,000 families from Hormigueros and Aibonito can now enjoy repaired basketball courts with an allocation of over $2.2 million. This results in the broadening of the activities offered for the community’s wellbeing,” stated Baquero about the repairs to parks and recreational facilities that reach $816 million.

For his part, the Executive Director of COR3, Ing. Manuel A. Laboy Rivera, acknowledged the need to renew the local infrastructure and the historic opportunity that this represents for the socioeconomic development of our people.

“Without a doubt, the reconstruction began and to guarantee its continuation we are implementing diverse initiatives like the State Cost Share Fund of $750 million, we simplified the funds disbursement process and we are working alongside FEMA to address the Subrecipients doubts and facilitate the infrastructure renovation process,” affirmed Laboy Rivera.

Adjustments in face of Climate Change

On the other hand, climate adaptation is an initiative that promotes communities to be ready to face the impact of global warming, like the rise in sea levels and the development of more extreme storms.

About 84 percent of the reconstruction projects under FEMA’s Public Assistance program have funds that seek to strengthen structures beyond what they were before the disaster and address some of the major risks associated with climate change.

One of the most efficient ways to face climate variations is the use of materials that resemble nature. They help filter and channel the rain to prevent floods, among other benefits. The sowing of grass to protect the slope in various streets of the Playa Añasco neighborhood, for example, is a way of addressing the problem of land erosion. To this end, an allocation of about $2.4 million from FEMA supports the Island’s road safety. In addition, some $93.2 million through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) is intended to strengthen the structures that were not damaged by the hurricane. With the threat of climate change effects, these funds add long-term value and resilience. To date, the projects approved by HMGP have an estimated cost of $1.3 billion.

According to meteorologist and climate change expert in Puerto Rico,  Ada Monzón, the extreme variation in climate represents the “biggest problem facing our planet,” as it brings an increase in the Earth's and ocean’s average temperature and contributes to an increase of category 4 and 5 hurricanes, among other characteristics.

“The resilience of our island is tied to the ability to cope with extreme events and sea level rise and how we empower our leaders and communities to make the right decisions. If we do not do it, each time it will cost us more money and more lives.” said Monzón, who added that the island has the tools and solutions, but education and willingness to think about the common good is needed.

Equity integrated into the recovery

The opportunity to rebuild the island takes into account vulnerable populations and sectors that are disproportionately affected during disasters. These areas of the country where there is a greater concentration of low-income families, people with functional diversity and where unique challenges are faced are part of the long-term planning.  The Agency is collaborating with municipalities to identify barriers and incorporate viable solutions that address accessibility issues in their tourism resources.

FEMA’s Disability Integration team (DI) collaborated with various municipalities on the first federal and state project to eliminate access barriers on tourism-related facilities to be repaired with federal funds. Concrete steps include the acquisition of signs in Braille writing at the Punta Tuna Lighthouse in Maunabo for people who are blind to enjoy a more inclusive tourism experience.

Together with the government of Puerto Rico, FEMA, and its local staff of over 790 Puerto Rico residents, is working to continue to allocate funds and move the recovery forward.

To access more information on the recovery of Puerto Rico from Hurricane María, visit fema.gov/disaster/4339 and recuperacion.pr. Follow us on social media at Facebook.com/FEMAPuertoRico, Facebook.com/COR3pr and Twitter @COR3pr.

 

frances.acevedo-pico Mon, 09/20/2021 - 11:55

FEMA Opens 2 Registration Centers in Haywood County FEMA Opens 2 Registration Centers in Haywood County

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Two FEMA registration centers are now open in Canton to help Tropical Storm Fred survivors apply for FEMA assistance.

FEMA mobile units are at these locations this weekend:

• 13175 Cruso Rd, Canton, NC 28716 – East Fork Baptist Church
• 77 Penland St., Canton, NC 28716 – Canton Recreation Park

Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

FEMA personnel at the centers can help residents in Buncombe, Haywood and Transylvania counties who were impacted by Tropical Storm Fred apply for federal assistance.

There are three other ways to register:

• Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, call 800-621-3362, or use the FEMA app for smartphones. If you use a relay service, such as a videophone, InnoCaption or CapTel, give FEMA the number for that service. Lines are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. local time, seven days a week.

The deadline for applications is Nov. 8, 2021.

FEMA financial assistance may include money for temporary housing, basic home repair or other disaster-related needs such as childcare, transportation and medical, funeral or dental expenses.

For more information about Tropical Storm Fred recovery in North Carolina, visit fema.gov/disaster/4617 and ncdps.gov/TSFred. Follow us on Twitter: @NCEmergency and @FEMARegion4.

###

FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. 

brianasummer.fenton Sun, 09/19/2021 - 02:35

Free Legal Assistance for North Carolina Disaster Survivors Free Legal Assistance for North Carolina Disaster Survivors

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Free legal assistance is available to survivors in Buncombe, Haywood and Transylvania counties who were affected by Tropical Storm Fred.

Survivors facing disaster-related issues who cannot afford an attorney may call the Disaster Legal Aid hotline at 866-219-5262. Hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Extended hours on Monday and Thursday are 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Apply for help online at www.legalaidnc.org/get-help/self-help-library/disaster-relief.  

The service is operated by Legal Aid of North Carolina, a statewide, nonprofit organization that provides free legal services in civil matters to low-income people.

Legal Aid may be able to help survivors in the following ways:

• Clarify home ownership/heir property
• Assist with benefits applications and appeals processes
• Support victims of fraudulent contractors or assist with landlord disputes
• Provide insurance policy assistance 
• Assist community groups that support long-term recovery  

For more information about Tropical Storm Fred recovery in North Carolina, visit fema.gov/disaster/4617. Follow us on Twitter: @NCEmergency and @FEMARegion4.

###

 

FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. 

brianasummer.fenton Sun, 09/19/2021 - 02:32

Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Janesville

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is set to open in Janesville on Monday, Sept. 20. Operated by Lassen County, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the DRC will offer information on available resources to homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained damage to their property from the Dixie Fire.

The Janesville DRC will be located at:

• Janesville Fire Protection District, 463-390 Main St., Janesville, CA 96114  │  Open 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., until Sunday, Sept. 26

Survivors are encouraged to file insurance claims for damage to their homes, personal property, businesses and vehicles before applying for FEMA assistance. In addition to visiting the DRC, the easiest way to apply is online at DisasterAssistance.gov. Survivors may also call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585) from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. PT, seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available. If you use a relay service, such as a videophone, InnoCaption or CapTel, give FEMA the number for that service.

Applicants for disaster assistance should have the following information prior to registration: Social Security number, address of the damaged primary residence, insurance coverage information, current telephone number and mailing address, and bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of funds.

The DRC will be accessible for individuals with disabilities, with on-site communication accessibility tools like amplified listening devices and Video Remote Interpreting. Additional accommodations can be made upon arrival. ASL interpreters and multilingual services will be available upon request.

State and federal agencies that will be present: Department of Motor Vehicles, California Department of Insurance, Contractors State Licensing Board, California Department of Public Health – Vital Records, Franchise Tax Board, California Department of Social Services, Cal OES Debris Task Force, Cal Vet and the Small Business Administration. State agencies will be on site Sept. 23-25.

To prevent transmission of COVID-19, protective measures will be in effect at the DRC, including the availability of face masks and hand sanitizer, arrangement of chairs and use of physical barriers to maximize physical distancing between survivors and staff, and visual cues to indicate where to stand.

For more information about California’s recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4610 and Cal OES’ wildfirerecovery.caloes.ca.gov. The registration deadline is Oct. 25.

###

All FEMA disaster assistance will be provided without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment), sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, limited English proficiency, economic status. If you believe your civil rights are being violated, you can call the Civil Rights Resource line at 833-285-7448 or 800-462-7585 (TTY/TDD).

FEMA’s mission: Helping people before, during and after disasters.

robert.barker Fri, 09/17/2021 - 22:07

FEMA Federal Assistance After Hurricane Ida Tops $23.5 Million

More than 42,000 News Jersey residents have registered for FEMA assistance. FEMA has approved more than $11.7 million to more than 2,700  families in New Jersey including:

• More than $10.8 million in Housing Assistance grants for repairs to primary residences or for rental of temporary housing.
• More than $950,000 for grants to repair or replace damaged personal property or to pay for disaster-related necessary expenses and other serious needs.

Other assistance provided also includes:

• More than $9.8 million in flood insurance claims in New Jersey. More than 6,000 claims have been paid.
• More than $1.9 million in low-interest disaster loans provided to 56 survivors through the U.S. Small Business Administration.

There are currently eight Disaster Recovery Centers open in New Jersey where survivors can speak to representatives from FEMA’s Individuals and Households program, FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation program, and Small Business Administration loan programs, to get answers to questions about written correspondence and get literature about repairs and rebuilding to make homes disaster resistant. These locations can be found on the FEMA app or online at https://egateway.fema.gov/ESF6/DRCLocator.

A total of 17 FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance teams and two FEMA Corps teams are helping survivors in 11 counties register for assistance, identify potential needs, and make connections with local, state, federal and voluntary agencies with the resources to assist them.

Individuals in Bergen, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset and Union counties are eligible to apply for disaster assistance.

If you are uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for federal assistance.

The fastest and easiest way to apply is by visiting disasterassistance.gov/.

If it is not possible to apply online, call 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585). The toll-free telephone lines operate are currently operating 24 hours per day, seven days a week. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.

If you have homeowners or renters insurance, you should file a claim as soon as possible. By law, FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If you are uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for federal assistance.

When you apply for assistance, have the following information readily available:

• A current phone number where you can be contacted
• Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying
• Your Social Security number, if available
• A general list of damage and losses
• If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name

amir.nijem Fri, 09/17/2021 - 21:56

North Carolina Renters Can Apply for FEMA Assistance North Carolina Renters Can Apply for FEMA Assistance

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Renters in Buncombe, Haywood and Transylvania counties whose homes and property were damaged by Tropical Storm Fred can apply for federal disaster assistance.

FEMA Individual Assistance is available to renters, including students, as well as homeowners. Federal grants can help pay for temporary housing. The initial rental grant is for a 1-month or 2-month period and can be reviewed for further assistance. The registration deadline is Nov. 8, 2021.

Renters may also qualify for a grant under FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance program for uninsured essential personal property losses and other disaster-related expenses. These may include:

• Replacement or repair of necessary personal property, such as furniture, appliances, clothing, textbooks or school supplies
• Replacement or repair of tools and other job-related equipment required by the self-employed
• Primary vehicles
• Uninsured or out-of-pocket medical, dental, childcare, moving and storage expenses

Survivors in Buncombe, Haywood and Transylvania counties can apply at DisasterAssistance.gov; by calling 800-621-3362; or by using the FEMA app. If you use a relay service, such as a videophone, InnoCaption, or CapTel, give FEMA the number for that service. Lines are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. local time, seven days a week.

SBA loans

Long-term, low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters, businesses and nonprofit organizations from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance and other sources.

If referred, applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via the SBA’s secure website at disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s/ or by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 TTY) or by sending an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

Renters may be eligible for up to $40,000, depending on their losses. The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Nov. 8, 2021.

SBA is operating a Business Recovery Center at Haywood Community College Regional High-Tech Center, 112 Industrial Park Dr., Room 3021, Waynesville, N.C. 28786. Hours are Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., closed Saturday and Sunday.

The following FEMA video explains how renters may be able to get federal help after a disaster in American Sign Language (ASL): https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=yAHSPK_K7tg&feature=youtu.be.

###

FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. 

brianasummer.fenton Fri, 09/17/2021 - 19:33