How to apply for federal disaster relief

8/9/2019 How to apply for federal disaster relief

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Help After a Disaster

Applicants Guide to the Individuals & Households Program

FEMA 545 / July 2008

www.fema.gov


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TheFederalEmergencyManagementAgency(FEMA)undertheauthorityofsection408oftheRobertT.StaffordDisasterReliefandEmergencyAssistanceAct,42U.S.C.5174,

andTitle44oftheCodeFederalRegulations(CFR)mayprovidefinancialassistance

and,ifnecessary,directservicestoeligibleindividualsandhouseholdswho,asadirect

resultofamajordisaster,havenecessaryexpensesandseriousneedsandareunableto

meetsuchexpensesorneedsthroughothermeans.


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DearApplicant:

AspartofourongoingeffortstoclearlycommunicateFEMAsIndividuals

andHouseholdsProgram(IHP)requirements,documentation,and

processes,weareprovidingyouthisbooklet. Thisbookletcontainsuseful

programinformationaboutIHP. Fordisasterspecificquestions,itis

alwaysbesttovisitourwebsiteatwww.fema.govorcontacttheFEMA

Helplineat1800621FEMA(TTY18004627585forthehearing

impaired).

InresponsetothePostKatrinaEmergencyManagementReformActof

2006,FEMAisintheprocessofupdatingourpoliciesandprogramsto

includenewauthoritiesdelegatedtoFEMAbyCongress. Asthenew

policiesandproceduresareputintoplace,updatedversionsofthis

applicantguidewillbemadeavailabletothepubliconFEMAswebsite,in

ourDisasterRecoveryCenters,andbymailforallapplicantsapplyingby

phoneoronline.

FEMAsprogramsaredesignedtohelpmeetessentialneedsandassist

individualsandtheirhouseholdsintakingthefirststepstowardrecovery.

FEMAprogramsarenotintendedtoreturnallhomesorbelongingstotheir

predisastercondition.

Welookforwardtopartneringwithyouintherecoveryprocessasyouand

yourcommunityrebuildafteradisaster.

WithRegards,

FEMA Disaster Assistance Directorate
https://email.fema.net/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.fema.gov/https://email.fema.net/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.fema.gov/


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TABLEOFCONTENTS

OverviewoftheIndividualsandHouseholdsProgram...................................1

TypesofAssistance.................................................................................................1

YourCivilRightsandDisasterAssistance..........................................................2

DisasterAssistanceProcess ...................................................................................2

ProgramEligibility..................................................................................................4

TypesofEligibleLosses .........................................................................................5

Important

Information

About

Disaster

Help......................................................6

IfYouAreEligibleforHelp...................................................................................7

InformationAboutInsuranceandDisasterHelp ..............................................8

IWanttoHaveMyCaseReviewedAgain(Appeal).........................................9

RebuildingandRepairing MitigationMeasures ...........................................11

InformationAboutAdditionalDisasterAssistanceProgramInformation .12

FrequentlyAskedQuestionsandAnswers ......................................................15

DescriptionofIneligibleReasons .......................................................................20

SampleFEMAForm9069BDeclarationandRelease.....................................27

FEMAFraudHotline ............................................................................................29


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OverviewoftheIndividualsandHouseholds

Program(IHP)

PURPOSE:

Whendisasters

take

place,

the

Individuals

and

Households

Program

(IHP)

providesmoneyandservicestopeopleinthedisasterareawhenlossesarenotcoveredbyinsuranceandpropertyhasbeendamagedordestroyed.

ThisprogramguideprovidesinformationthatwillhelpyouunderstandIHPand

explainshowtoapply. Youmustmeetspecificeligibilityconditionstoqualifyforhelp.

IHPisdesignedtohelpyouwithcriticalexpensesthatcannotbecoveredinotherways.

LIMITATIONS: IHPwillnotcoverallofyourlossesfromdamagetoyourproperty

(home,personalproperty,householdgoods)thatresultedfromthedisaster.

IHPisnotintendedtorestoreyourdamagedpropertytoitsconditionbeforethe

disaster. Insomecases,IHPmayonlyprovideenoughmoney,uptotheprogramlimits,

foryoutoreturnanitemtoservice.

IHPdoesnotcoverbusinessrelatedlossesthatresultedfromthedisaster.

Bylaw,IHPcannotprovidemoneytoyouforlossesthatarecoveredbyyourinsurance.

WhilesomemoneyisavailablethroughIHP,mostdisasteraidfromtheFederal

governmentisintheformofloansfromtheSmallBusinessAdministration(SBA)that

mustberepaid. ApplicantstoIHPmayberequiredtoseekhelpfromSBAfirst,before

beingconsideredforcertaintypesofIHPhelp. YoudonothavetosubmitanSBAloan

applicationtobeconsideredforFEMArentalassistance.

TypesofAssistance

ThefollowinglistshowsthetypesofassistancethatareavailablethroughIHPand

whateachprovides.

TemporaryHousing(aplacetoliveforalimitedperiodoftime):Moneyisavailable

torentadifferentplacetolive,oragovernmentprovidedhousingunitwhenrental

propertiesarenotavailable.

Repair:Moneyisavailabletohomeownerstorepairdamagefromthedisasterthatis

notcoveredbyinsurance. Thegoalistomakethedamagedhomesafe,sanitary,and

functional.

FEMA Disaster Helpline: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) Hearing/Speech Impaired ONLY: Call 1-800-462-7585

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Directionstoyourdamagedproperty.

Atelephonenumberwhereyoucanbecontacted.

Whenyouapplyoverthephone,theinformationyouprovideisputintothecomputerandanapplicationisgenerated.Whenyourapplicationiscomplete,youwillbeprovidedaFEMAapplicationnumber.

IfyouhavequestionsAFTERyouhaveappliedforassistanceoriftheinformationyouprovidedhaschanged,calltheFEMAHelplineat1800621FEMA(3362)(hearing/speechimpairedONLYcall18004627585). Whenyoucall,haveyour

applicationnumberready. Thisnumberwillbegiventoyouwhenyouapplyandwill

beonallmailsenttoyoufromIHP.

2. WhenwillIbecontactedbyaninspector? Ifyouareuninsuredorlackthe

appropriateinsurancecoverage,aninspectorwillcalltoscheduleanappointmentto

visityourproperty.Insomecases,youmaybecontactedthesamedayyou

apply.However,inmostcasestheinspectorwillcallwithinthenextseveraldays,but

usuallynolaterthan10days.

Theinspectorwillassessdisasterrelateddamageforyourrealandpersonal

property.Thereisnofeefortheinspection. Inspectorsarecontractors,notFEMA

employees,butyourinspectorwillhavepictureidentification.Youorsomeone18years

ofagethatlivedinthehouseholdpriortothedisastermustbepresentforyour

scheduledappointment.

Theinspectorwillneedtoseeyouridentificationandyoumustprovideproofof

ownership(for

homeowners)

and

occupancy

to

show

the

inspector.

TheinspectorwillaskyoutosignaformauthorizingFEMAtoverifythatthe

informationyouhavegiveniscorrect. Inspectorsfileyourreportbutdonotdetermine

youreligibility.

3. Withinabout10daysoftheinspectorsvisit,youwillreceivealetterfromIHP

informingyouofthedecisiononyourrequestforhelp.

Ifyouareeligibleforhelp,theletterwillbefollowedbyaU.S.

Treasury/Statecheckortherewillbeatransferofcashtoyourbankaccount.

Theletterwillexplainwhatthemoneycanbeusedtopayfor. Youshouldusethemoneygiventoyouasexplainedintheletter.

Ifyouarenoteligibleforhelp,theletterwillgivethereasonforthedecision.Youwillbeinformedofyourappealrightsintheletter.

www.fema.gov

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IfyouwerereferredtotheSmallBusinessAdministration(SBA)forhelp

fromtheSBADisasterAssistanceProgram,youwillreceiveanSBA

application.

Program

Eligibility

ToreceivemoneyorhelpforHousingNeedsthataretheresultofadisaster,allofthefollowingmustbetrue:

Youhavefiledforinsurancebenefitsandthedamagetoyourpropertyisnot

coveredbyyourinsurance. YoumaybeeligibleforhelpfromIHPtorepairdamagetoyourproperty.

YouorsomeonewholiveswithyouisacitizenoftheUnitedStates,anon

citizennational,oraqualifiedalien.

YourhomeisinanareathathasbeendeclaredadisasterareabythePresident.

Thehomeinthedisasterareaiswhereyouusuallylivethemajorityoftheyear.

Youarenotabletoliveinyourhomenow,youcannotgettoyourhomedue

tothedisaster,oryourhomerequiresrepairsbecauseofdamagefromthedisaster.

ToreceivemoneyforNeedsOtherthanHousingthataretheresultofadisaster,allof

thefollowingmustbetrue:

Youhavelossesinanareathathasbeendeclaredadisasterareabythe

President.

Youhavefiledforinsurancebenefitsandthedamagetoyourpersonalpropertyisnotcoveredbyyourinsurance. YoumaybeeligibleforhelpfromIHPtorepairdamagetoyourproperty.

YouorsomeonewholiveswithyouisacitizenoftheUnitedStates,anoncitizennational,oraqualifiedalien.

Youhavenecessaryexpensesorseriousneedsbecauseofthedisaster.

Youhaveacceptedassistancefromallothersourcesforwhichyouareeligible,suchasinsuranceproceedsorSBAloans.

YoumaynotbeeligibleformoneyorhelpfromIHPif:


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Youhaveother,adequaterentfreehousingthatyoucanuse(forexample,

rentalpropertythatisnotoccupied).

Yourhomethatwasdamagedisyoursecondaryorvacationresidence.

Yourexpensesresultedonlyfromleavingyourhomeasaprecautionandyouwereabletoreturntoyourhomeimmediatelyaftertheincident.

Youhaverefusedassistancefromyourinsuranceprovider(s).

Youronlylossesarebusinesslosses(includingfarmbusinessotherthanthefarmhouseandselfemployment)oritemsnotcoveredbythisprogram.

ThedamagedhomewhereyouliveislocatedinadesignatedfloodhazardareaandyourcommunityisnotparticipatingintheNationalFloodInsuranceProgram. Inthiscase,theflooddamagetoyourhomewouldnot

becovered,butyoumayqualifyforrentalassistanceoritemsnotcoveredby

floodinsurance,suchaswaterwells,septicsystems,medical,dental,orfuneralexpenses.

TypesofEligibleLosses

IHPonlycoversrepairsorreplacementofitemsthataredamagedasadirectresultof

thedisasterthatarenotcoveredbyinsurance. Repairsorrebuildingmaynotimprove

yourhomeaboveitspredisasterconditionunlesssuchimprovementsarerequiredby

currentbuildingcodes.

HousingNeeds: Moneytorepairyourhomeislimitedtomakingyourhomesafeandsanitarysoyoucanlivethere. IHPwillnotpaytoreturnyourhometoitscondition

beforethedisaster. Youmayuseyourmoneyprovidedforhousingneedstorepair:

Structuralpartsofyourhome(foundation,outsidewalls,androof).

Windows,doors,floors,walls,ceilings,andcabinetry.

Septicorsewagesystem.

Wellorotherwatersystem.

Heating,ventilating,andairconditioningsystem.

Utilities(electrical,plumbing,andgassystems).

Entranceandexitwaysfromyourhome,includingprivatelyownedaccessroads.

www.fema.gov

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Blocking,leveling,andanchoringofamobilehomeandreconnectingor

resettingitssewer,water,electricalandfuellines,andtanks.

OtherthanHousingNeeds: Moneytorepairdamagedpersonalpropertyortopayfor

disasterrelatednecessaryexpensesandseriousneedsislimitedtoitemsorservicesthat

helpprevent

or

overcome

adisaster

related

hardship,

injury

or

adverse

condition.

IHP

willnotpaytoreturnorreplaceyourpersonalpropertytoitsconditionbeforethedisaster. Youmayuseyourmoneyprovidedforotherthanhousingneedstorepairorpayfor:

Disasterrelatedmedicalanddentalcosts.

Disasterrelatedfuneralandburialcost.

Clothing;householditems(roomfurnishings,appliances);tools(specializedorprotectiveclothingandequipment)requiredforyourjob;necessaryeducationalmaterials(computers,schoolbooks,andsupplies).

Fuelsforprimaryheatsource(heatingoil,gas,firewood).

Disasterspecifiedcleanupitems(wet/dryvacuum,airpurifier,anddehumidifier).

Avehicledamagedbythedisaster.

Movingandstorageexpensesrelatedtothedisaster(movingandstoringpropertytoavoidadditionaldisasterdamagewhiledisasterrelatedrepairsarebeingmadetothehome).

OthernecessaryexpensesorseriousneedsasdeterminedbyFEMA.

ImportantInformationAboutDisasterHelp

MoneyreceivedfromIHPforHousingandOtherthanHousingNeedsmustbeusedfor

eligibleexpensesonly,asidentifiedbyFEMA:

IfyoudonotusethemoneyasexplainedbyFEMA,youmaynotbe

eligibleforanyadditionalhelpandmayhavetogivethemoneyback.

Isusuallylimitedtoupto18monthsfromthedatethePresidentdeclaresthedisaster.

Doesnothavetoberepaid.

Istaxfree.


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Isnotcountedasincomeoraresourceindeterminingeligibilityfor

welfare,incomeassistance,orincometestedbenefitprogramsfundedbythe

Federalgovernment.

Isexemptfromgarnishment,seizure,encumbrance,levy,execution,

pledge,attachment,

release,

or

waiver.

Maynotbereassignedortransferredtoanotherperson.

Youmustkeepreceiptsorbillsfor3yearstodemonstratehowallofthe

moneywasusedinmeetingyourdisasterrelatedneed.

Beforeyoubeginanyrepairs,checkwithyourlocalbuilding

departmenttofindoutwhatlocalpermitsorinspectionsarerequired.

IfYouAreEligibleForHelp

IfyourapplicationforhelpunderIHPhasmettherequiredconditionsandhasbeen

approved,themoneyorhelpyoureceivemustbeusedasdescribedbelow.Moneyfrom

thisprogrammaynotbeusedtopayforstayingwithfamilyorfriends. Belowisan

explanationofthecategories.

Dental: Moneytoaddressthecostofdentaltreatmentsduetodentalinjuriesreceivedduringthedisaster.

Funeral: Moneytoaddressthecostoffuneralservices,burialorcremation,andother

funeralexpensesrelatedtoadeathcausedbythedisaster.

HomeRepair: Money,availabletohomeowners,toaddressthecostoflaborand

materialstomakerepairstoyourhometomakeitsafe,sanitaryand/orfunctional.

HousingAssistance: Helpwiththecostofdisasterrelatedhousingneeds.

Medical: Moneytoaddressthecostofmedicaltreatmentorthepurchaseofmedicalequipmentrequiredbecauseofphysicalinjuriesreceivedasaresultofthedisaster.

MovingandStorage: Moneytoaddressthecostsofmovingandstoringpersonal

propertyfromthedisasterdamagedwellingtoavoidadditionaldisasterrelated

damage.

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Other: Moneytoaddressthecostofotherspecificdisasterrelatedneedsapprovedfor

thedisaster.

Permanent/SemiPermanentHousing: Duetoalackofrentalresources,theinfeasibility

ofhomerepairandreplacementhousingassistanceandthelackofavailablebuilding

contractorsin

your

area,

FEMA

will

have

your

home

rebuilt.

PersonalProperty: Moneytoaddressthecostofrepairingand/orreplacingdisaster

damageditems,suchasfurniture,bedding,appliances,andclothing.

RentalAssistance: Moneytoaddressthecostofrentinganotherplacetolive.For

homeowners,thismoneymaybeprovidedinadditiontoHomeRepair,ifneeded.

ReplacementHousing: Moneytohelpwiththecostofreplacingyourhome,uptothe

limitsallowedbylaw,becauseitisnotsafe,sanitary,and/orfunctional.

TransientAccommodations:

Money

to

address

the

cost

of

temporary

lodging

expenses

(hotelormotel)relatedtothedisaster.

Transportation: Moneytoaddressthecostofrepairingand/orreplacingyourvehicle

thatisnolongerusablebecauseofdisasterrelateddamage.

InformationAboutInsuranceandDisaster

Help

Ifyouhavenotalreadycontactedyourinsuranceagenttofileaclaim,pleasedothis

assoonaspossible. Failuretofileaclaimwithyourinsurancecompanymayaffect

youreligibilityforassistancefromIHP. Afterfilingyourclaim,ifanyofthefollowing

situationsoccur,pleasecalltheFEMADisasterHelplineat1800621FEMA(3362)for

additionalinformation.

Yourinsurancesettlementisdelayed. Ifadecisiononyourinsurancesettlement

hasbeendelayedlongerthan30daysfromthetimeyoufiledtheclaim,youwill

needtowritealettertoFEMAexplainingthecircumstance. Youshouldinclude

documentationfromtheinsurancecompanyprovingthatyoufiledtheclaim. If

youfiledyourclaimoverthetelephone,youshouldincludetheclaimnumber,

datewhenyouapplied,estimatedtimeofhowlongitwilltaketoreceiveyour

settlement. AnyhelpawardedtoyoubyFEMAwouldbeconsideredanadvance

andmustberepaidtoFEMAonceaninsurancesettlementisreceived.


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Yourinsurancesettlementisinsufficienttomeetyourdisasterrelatedneeds.

Ifyouhavereceivedthemaximumsettlementfromyourinsuranceandstillhave

anunmetdisasterrelatedneed,youwillneedtowritealettertoFEMA

indicatingtheunmetdisasterrelatedneed. Youwillalsoneedtosendin

documentationfromyourinsurancecompanyforreview.

YouhaveexhaustedtheAdditionalLivingExpenses(ALE)providedbyyour

insurancecompany. Ifyouhavereceivedthemaximumsettlementfromyour

insuranceforAdditionalLivingExpenses(LossofUse)andstillneedhelpwith

yourdisasterrelatedtemporaryhousingneed,writealettertoFEMA,indicating

whyyoucontinuetohaveatemporaryhousingneed. Youwillalsoneedto

providedocumentationtoproveexhaustionofthehousingportionofyourALE

frominsurance,andapermanenthousingplan.

Youareunabletolocaterentalresourcesinyourarea. TheFEMAHelplinehas

alistofrentalresourcesinthedisasterarea. Ifnoresourcesareavailableinyour

county,thentheHelplineagentcanprovideyouwithresourcesinanadjacent

county.

Youhaveuptotwelve(12)monthsfromthedateyouregisteredwithFEMAtosubmit

yourinsuranceinformationforreview. Bylaw,IHPcannotprovidemoneyto

individualsorhouseholdsforlossesthatarecoveredbyinsurance.

IWanttoHaveMyCaseReviewedAgain

(Appeal)

Youmayappealanydecision.Appealsmayrelatetoyoureligibility,theamountor

typeofhelpprovidedtoyou,lateapplications,requeststoreturnmoney,orquestions

regardingcontinuinghelp. Whenyouappealadecision,youareaskingIHPtoreview

yourcaseagain. Beforeyouappealadecision,pleaserefertothespecificinformationin

thisguideaboutqualifyingforhelporrefertothelettersenttoyouaboutyour

eligibilityforassistance. Thisguideshouldanswermostofyourquestionsaboutthe

expensescoveredunderthisprogram.

If,afteryoureviewthisguide,youstilldonotagreewiththedecisionaboutyour

applicationorhelpreceived,followthesestepsbelowtoappealthedecision:

StepsforfilinganAppeal:

1. Explaininwritingwhyyouthinkthedecisionabouttheamountortypeofassistance

youreceivedisnotcorrect.

www.fema.gov

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Whensubmittingyourletter,pleaseincludeyourfullname,dateandplaceof

birth,andaddress. Inaddition,yourlettermustbeeithernotarized,includea

copyofastateissuedidentificationcard,orincludethefollowingstatement,I

herebydeclareunderpenaltyofperjurythattheforegoingistrueandcorrect.

Youmustsigntheletter.

Ifsomeoneotherthanyouorthecoapplicantiswritingtheletter,thena

statementmustbeincludedsayingthatthatpersonmayactforyou.

2. IncludetheFEMAapplicationnumberanddisasternumber(shownatthetopof

yourdecisionletter)inyourletterofappeal.

3. Mailyourappealletterto:

FEMA

NationalProcessingServiceCenter

P.O.Box10055Hyattsville,MD 207827055

4. Youcanfaxyourappealletterto:

(800)8278112

Attention:FEMA

IMPORTANT:TobeconsideredbyIHP,yourappeallettermustbepostmarkedwithin

60daysofthedateoftheindividualorhouseholddecisionlettersdate.Rememberto

dateyourletters.

Requestingyourfile:

Ifyouneedinformationaboutyourcase,youorthecoapplicantonyourapplication

mayrequestacopyoftheinformationinyourfilebywritingto:

FEMARecordsManagement

NationalProcessingServiceCenter

P.O.Box10055

Hyattsville,MD 207827055

Tohelpprotecttheprivacyofyourpersonalinformation,wheneveryouwriteanappealorrequestlettertoFEMAyoushouldincludeyourfullname,dateandplaceofbirth,

damageddwellingaddress,FEMAapplicationnumber,anddisasternumber. In

addition,yourlettermustbeeithernotarized,includeacopyofastateissued

identificationcard,orincludethefollowingstatement,Iherebydeclareunderpenalty

ofperjurythattheforegoingistrueandcorrect. Youmustsigntheletter.


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Forinformationaboutmitigationprojectssuchastheoneshownonthispage,callor

visityourlocalemergencymanagementplanningofficial,StateHazardMitigation

Officer,orFEMAstaffataDisasterRecoveryCenter.Informationonmitigationalsoisavailableat:www.fema.gov.

Toorder

publications

about

mitigation

projects,

call

FEMA

Publications

at

1800

480

2520.

InformationAboutAdditionalDisaster

AssistanceProgramInformation

Thissectioncontainsagenerallistingofthetypesofdisasterhelpavailableduringa

Presidentiallydeclaredmajordisaster. Duringamajordisasterifyoufeelyouhave

disasterrelatedneedsthatcanbeaddressedbyanagencyorservicelistedinthis

section,youshouldcontacttheFEMADisasterHelplineat1800621FEMA(3362)(hearing/speechimpairedONLYcall18004627585)forreferralinformation.

AgingServices:Servicesareavailabletomeettheneedsoftheelderlywhohavebeen

directlyaffectedbyadeclareddisaster(i.e.,transportation,meals,homecare,etc.).

AgriculturalAid:TheUSDARuralDevelopmentmaymakeemergencyloanstofarmers

andranchers(ownersortenants)whowereoperatingandmanagingafarmorranchat

thetimeofthedisaster. Theseloansarelimitedtotheamountnecessarytocompensate

foractuallossestoessentialpropertyand/orproductioncapacity. Farmersandranchers

mayalsoapplyforcostsharinggrantsforemergencyconservationprogramssuchas

debrisremovalfromcrop/pasturelands,repairstoland/waterconservationstructures,

andpermanentfencing. FurtherinformationisavailablefromtheUSDAFarmService

Agency(FSA).

AssistanceFromFinancialInstitutions:BanksthataremembersoftheFederalDeposit

InsuranceCorporation(FDIC),FederalReserveSystem(FRS),ortheFederalHomeLoan

BankBoard(FHLBB)maypermitearlywithdrawaloftimedeposits,withoutpenalty.

Contactyourfinancialinstitutiontoseeiftheyhaveobtainedawaiverfromtheir

regulatoryagency.

Business

Loan

Program:Disaster

loans

through

the

Small

Business

Administration

(SBA)areavailabletobusinessestorepairorreplacedestroyedordamagedbusiness

facilities,inventory,machinery,orequipment.Themaximumloanamountis$1,500,000.

Ifyouhavebeenreferredtothisprogramyouwillbereceivinganapplicationpackage

inthemail. Formoreinformationorhelpincompletingthisform,refertoyourSBA

applicationpackageortheSBAwebsiteatwww.sba.gov.


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ConsumerServices:Counselingisavailableonconsumerproblemssuchasnon

availabilityofproductsandservicesneededforreconstruction,pricegouging,

disreputablebusinessconcernsandpractices,etc.

CrisisCounseling:Referralservicesandshortterminterventioncounselingisavailable

formental

health

problems

caused

or

aggravated

by

the

disaster.

DisasterUnemploymentAssistance:Thisassistanceprovidesweeklybenefitpayments

tothoseoutofworkduetothedisaster,includingselfemployedpersons,farmand

ranchowners,andothersnotcoveredunderregularunemploymentinsurance

programs.

EmergencyAssistance:Emergencyfood,clothing,shelter,andmedicalassistancemay

beprovidedtoindividualsandfamilieshavingsuchneedsasaresultofthedisaster.

TheAmericanRedCross(ARC),theSalvationArmy,churchgroups,andother

voluntaryorganizationscanprovideassistance.

FinancialCounseling:Providesfinancialandeconomicguidanceandassistanceto

individualsandsmallbusinessesaffectedbydisasters. HopeCoalitionAmericaoffers

freefinancialcounselingandprovideshelpfuldocumentssuchastheEmergency

FinancialFirstAidKitandthePersonalDisasterPreparednessGuide. These

documentsareavailableandcanbedownloadedforfreefromtheirwebsiteat

www.operationhope.org. Formoreinformationyoucancall:1888388HOPE(4673).

HazardMitigation:Youmayreceivefundstopreventfuturedamagetoyourmajor

utilities(i.e.,furnace,waterheater,andelectricalservice)byeitherelevationor

relocationoftheseutilitiesinyourhome.

HomeandPersonalPropertyLoanProgram:DisasterloansthroughtheSmallBusiness

Administration(SBA)areavailabletohomeownersandrentersforrestoringorreplacing

disasterdamagedrealandpersonalproperty. Themaximumrealestateportionofthe

loanis$200,000andforpersonalproperty$40,000. Theloanamountislimitedtothe

amountofuninsuredSBAverifiedlosses. Ifyouhavebeenreferredtothisprogramyou

willfindmoreinformationinthe ApplicationSummary onthebackoftheDisaster

AssistanceApplicationForm.

InsuranceInformation:Helpand/orcounselingisavailableoninsuranceproblemsand

questions,which

may

include

obtaining

copies

of

lost

policies,

claims

filing,

expediting

settlements,etc. Ifyouhavenotbeenabletoresolveyourproblemwithyourinsurance

companyyoumaycontactyourStateInsuranceCommissioner. Forfloodinsurance

inquiries,contacttheNationalFloodInsuranceProgram(NFIP).

www.fema.gov

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LegalServices:Freeorreducedlegalservices,includinglegaladvice,counseling,and

representationmaybeprovidedtolowincomedisastervictims.

SocialSecurity:HelpisavailablefromtheSocialSecurityAdministration(SSA)in

expeditingdeliveryofchecksdelayedbythedisasterandforassistanceinapplyingfor

SocialSecurity

disability

and

survivor

benefits.

FederalTaxAssistance:ThefederaltaxlawsallowtheInternalRevenueService(IRS)to

grantrelieftotaxpayerswhoarevictimsofaPresidentiallydeclareddisaster. Thisrelief

includespostponingtaxdeadlinestoprovideyouwithextratimetofileandpaybefore

youwillbeassessedanypenalty,additionalamount,oradditiontothetax,orabating

yourinterestforperiodsforwhichyoureceivedanextensionoftimetofiletaxreturns

andpaytaxesbecauseyouwerelocatedinaPresidentiallydeclareddisasterarea.

Generally,qualifieddisasterreliefpaymentsarenotrequiredtobereportedingross

income. Qualifieddisasterreliefpaymentsincludepaymentsreceivedfromanysource

topayreasonableandnecessarypersonal,family,living,orfuneralexpensesincurredasaresultofaPresidentiallydeclareddisaster. TheIRSmayallowcasualtylossesthat

weresufferedonhome,personalproperty,andhouseholdgoodstobedeductedonthe

incometaxreturniftheyarenotcoveredbyinsurance. Taxpayersmayalsofilean

amendedreturntoreceiveanearlytaxrefund. Moreinformation,formsand

publicationscanbefoundontheIRSwebat

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=108362,00.html.

OtherTaxAssistance:Countytaxassessorsmayprovideinformationandassistanceon

possiblepropertytaxrelief.

VeteransBenefits:TheVeteransAdministration(VA)canexpeditedeliveryof

informationaboutbenefits,pensions,insurancesettlements,andVAmortgageloans.


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FrequentlyAskedQuestionsandAnswers

1.Disaster

Awards:

Federal

Emergency

Management

Agency

(FEMA)

WhatisFEMA? FEMAistheFederalEmergencyManagementAgency,whichisresponsibleforprovidingandcoordinatingemergencyservicesinPresidentiallydeclareddisasterareas.FEMAworksasapartnerwithotherpartsoftheFederalgovernmentandwithStateandlocalgovernmentsandvoluntaryorganizations.

Whattypesofdisasterassistanceprogramsareavailableinadisaster? TherearetwoprimaryFederalprogramsthatofferdisasterassistance:

FEMAsIndividualsandHouseholdsProgramprovidesmoneyanddirect

servicestothoseaffectedbyamajordisaster.Requirementsmustbemetto

qualifyforhelpfromthisprogram.

TheU.S.SmallBusinessAdministrationprovideslowinterestloansfor

damagetopropertyownedbyhomeowners,renters,businessesandprivate

nonprofitorganizationsthatarenotfullycoveredbyinsurance.

Doesdisasterhelphavetoberepaid? MoneyreceivedthroughFEMAsIndividualsandHouseholdsProgramdoesnothavetoberepaid.LoansfromtheSmallBusiness

Administrationmustberepaid.

CanIapplyforassistanceformydamagedcar? Yes.Youwillneedtoprovideproofof

ownershipandinsuranceinformation.

CanIapplyforassistanceforfoodthathasbeenlostbecauseofthedisaster? No.FoodlossisnotcoveredbyIHP.Voluntaryorganizationsinthedisasterareamaybeabletohelpyouwithfoodneeds.

Willanyprogrampayformovingandstorageexpenses? Costsofmovingandstorage

maybecoveredbyIHP,ifthesecostsaredirectlyrelatedtothedisaster.Submitreceipts

toIHPtoseeiftheyarecovered.

WhathappensafterIapplyforhelpwithFEMA? Withinabouttendaysofyour

applicationto

FEMA,

if

you

are

uninsured

or

lack

the

appropriate

insurance

coverage,

a

qualifiedinspectorwillcontactyoutosetupatimetoseethedamagetoyourpropertythatwascausedbythedisaster.YourlosseswillberecordedandsubmittedtoIHP.Withinabouttenmoredays,youshouldhaveadecisionfromIHPaboutwhetheryouqualifyforhelpfromIHP.IfyouhavebeenreferredforadisasterloanfromtheU.S.SmallBusinessAdministration(SBA),SBAalsowillcontactyouandscheduleanappointmenttoreviewyourdisasterrelatedlosses.

www.fema.gov

15


20/33

HowlongwillittaketogetFEMA/Statedisasterhelp? Ifyouareeligibleforhelp,youshouldreceiveaU.S.Treasury/Statecheckornotificationofadeposittoyourbank

accountwithinabouttendaysoftheinspectorsvisit.Othertypesofassistancemaybeprovidedlater,basedonspecificeligibilityandneed.

If

I

have

questions

about

my

application

or

need

to

change

some

of

the

information

I

provided,whatshouldIdo? CalltheFEMADisasterHelplineat1800621FEMA(3362)(hearing/speechimpairedonly:18004627585)orvisitourwebsiteatwww.fema.gov.

Ifithasbeenmorethan12dayssincetheFEMAinspectorsvisitandtherehasbeenno

wordfromFEMA,whatshouldIdo? CalltheFEMADisasterHelplineat1800621FEMA(3362)(hearing/speechimpairedonly:18004627585)visitourwebsiteatwww.fema.govtocheckonthestatusofyourapplication.IfthereisaDisasterRecovery

Center(DRC)inyourarea,youalsomayinquirethereaboutyourapplication.

IfIdonotagreewiththeresultsoftheinspectionorwiththeamountofmoneyI

receivedfromFEMA,whatshouldIdo? Youcanappealthedecision.Appealproceduresareoutlinedinthisguide(page9),oryoucancalltheFEMADisaster

Helplineat1800621FEMA(3362)(hearing/speechimpairedonly:18004627585)for

informationabouttheappealprocess.

What type ofownershipdocumentation can Iprovide to supportmyapplicationfor

help? Belowareafewtypesofdocumentsthatmaybeprovidedtoproveownership:

Deed or Official record maybe the original deed or deed of trust to the

propertylistingyouasthelegalowner.

Titlenumberwhich listsyouon theactualescrowortitledocument for the

purchaseofthedwelling.

Mortgage paymentbook or other mortgage documents (i.e. late payment

notice, foreclosure notice) maybe used to verify the ownership when your

nameislistedalongwiththedamageddwellingaddress.

Realpropertyinsurancemustbeforthedamageddwellingwithyourname

listedastheInsured.

Taxreceiptsorapropertytaxbillshowingthedamageddwellingandlisting

youastheresponsiblepartytotheassessments.

WhattypeofoccupancydocumentationcanIprovidetosupportmyapplicationfor

help? Belowareafewtypesofdocumentsthatmaybeprovidedtoproveoccupancy:


16
http://www.fema.gov/http://www.fema.gov/http://www.fema.gov/http://www.fema.gov/


21/33

Utility Bill for the damaged dwelling with your name (or name of co

applicant). The utilitybill shouldbe for one of the major utilities, such as

electricity,gas,orwater.

Merchants Statement sent to the damaged dwelling with your name (or

name

of

coapplicant).

Merchant

statements

include:

credit

card

bills,

deliverynotices,orotherfirstclassmailaddressed toyouandshowing the

damageddwellingaddress.

Employers Statement sent to the damaged dwelling with your name (or

name of coapplicant). An employers statement refers to pay stubs and

similardocumentssenttoyouandshowingthedamageddwellingaddress.

Current Driver and NonDrivers License showing the address of the

damageddwelling.

Wherecan

Iget

information

about

flood

insurance? Callalocal,licensedcasualtyor

propertyinsuranceagentorcalltheNationalFloodInsuranceProgramat1800427

4661.

ShouldIbegincleaningmyhomebeforetheinspection? Youmaycleanbeforetheinspection.Ifpossible,takephotosofthedamagebeforeyouclean.

ShouldIkeepmyreceipts?Yes,youshouldkeepreceiptsforallofyourexpenses.

2. DisasterLoans:U.S.SmallBusinessAdministration(SBA):

Why

did

I

receive

a

disaster

loan

application

from

SBA

after

applying

with

FEMA?

SBAistheprimarysourceoffederalfundsforlongtermrecoveryassistancefordisaster

victims.Fordisasterdamagetoprivatepropertyownedbyhomeowners,renters,and

nonfarmbusinessesofallsizes,whichisnotfullycoveredbyinsurance,thebasicform

ofFederalhelpisalowinterestdisasterloanfromtheSBA.Bymakingaffordableloans,

theSBAdisasterloanprogramhelpsdisastervictimspayfortheirrepairswhilekeeping

coststothetaxpayerreasonable.

HowcanIgethelpfillingouttheapplicationforanSBAdisasterloan? SBAhasloan

officersinSBAlocaldisasterofficestoprovidefacetofaceservicetodisastervictims.

YoumayvisitSBAatanyoftheselocations,andwithoutanappointment.AnSBA

representativewillbegladtoanswerquestionsandtohelpcompleteyourapplication.TofindoutwhereSBAdisasterofficesarelocated,callSBAtollfreeat18004885323.

IfIhavealreadyreceivedacheckfromFEMA,butitwasnotenoughtopayforallthe

workneededtofixthedisasterdamages,canIgetmorehelp? Yes.SBAdisasterloans

areavailabletocovertheamountofrepaircoststhathavenotalreadybeenfully

www.fema.gov

17


22/33

compensated.ApplicationshouldbemadetoSBAforanyadditionalamountneededto

completerecovery.

IthinkIcanpayfortherepairsonmyown,shouldIapplyforadisasterloan? You

maydiscoverthatthetotalcoststocompleterepairsonyourownaremorethanyou

planned.With

an

approved

SBA

loan,

you

will

know

that

the

funds

to

make

full

repairs

areavailable.Whilenoonewantsadditionaldebt,alowinterestloanwithaffordable

paymentsisabetteralternativethannotmakingcompletedisasterrepairs.

WhathappensifIcannotaffordaloantorepairdamagedproperty? IfSBAdetermines

youcannotaffordaloan,SBAwillautomaticallyreferyoubacktoFEMAforadditional

help. FEMAmaybeabletoprovidemoneyforotherthanhousingneeds;however,this

additionalhelpisnotavailabletobusinesses. FEMAsadditionalhelpisintendedto

helpmeetnecessaryexpensesandseriousneedsnotmetbyanyotherformofassistance,

includinginsuranceandSBAdisasterloans.Remember,ifyouweresentanSBA

disasterloanapplication,SBAwillnotreferyoubacktoFEMAunlessacompletedloan

applicationisreturnedtotheSBAandSBAdeterminesthatyoucannotaffordaloan.

YoudonothavetosubmitanSBAloanapplicationtobeconsideredforFEMArental

assistance.

3. YourCivilRightsandDisasterAssistanceWhatformsofdiscriminationdoCivilRightslawsprohibit? Therearemanyformsof

illegal discrimination that can limit the opportunity of people to gain equal access to

servicesandprograms. Amongotherthings,inoperatingaFEMAassistedprogram,a

recipient (state or local government agency that receives Federal disaster funds from

FEMA)

cannot,

on

thebasis

of

race,

color,

religion,

nationality,

sex,

age,

or

economic

status,eitherdirectlyorthroughcontractualmeans:

Denyprogramservices,aidsorbenefits;

Provideadifferentservice,aid orbenefit,orprovide them inamanner

differentthantheyareprovidedtoothers;or,

Segregate or separately treat individuals in any matter related to the

receiptofanyservice,aid,orbenefit.

These

prohibitions

also

apply

to

FEMA

itself

in

its

operation

of

federally

conducted

programs.

What ifIhaveaCivilRightscomplaint? EachFederalAgency thatprovidesFederal

financial assistance is responsible for investigatingcomplaints of discrimination in the

useof its funds. Ifyoubelieveyouorothers protectedby theCivilRights lawshave

been discriminated against in receiving disaster assistance, you may contact one of


18


23/33

FEMAs Equal Rights Officers (ERO), who has thejob of ensuring equal access to all

FEMAdisasterprograms. TheEROwillattempttoresolveyourissues. Youmayreach

theERObycalling1800621FEMA(18006213362)orTTY18004627585.

If thematter isnotresolved,youmay fileacomplaintwithFEMA. Asigned,written

complaintshould

be

sent

to

the

Office

of

Equal

Rights,

generally

within

180

days

of

the

dateoftheallegeddiscrimination. Thecomplaintmustinclude:

Your name, address, and telephone number. Your complaint mustbe

signed. Ifyouarefilingonbehalfofanotherperson,includeyourname,

address, telephone number, and your relationship to that person (e.g.,

friend,attorney,parent,etc.)

The name and address of the agency, institution or department you

believediscriminatedagainstyou.

How,why,andwhenyoubelieveyouwerediscriminatedagainst.Includeasmuchbackgroundinformationaspossibleaboutthealleged

actsofdiscrimination. Includenamesofindividualswhomyouallege

discriminatedagainstyou,ifyouknowthem.

The names of any persons, if known, that FEMA could contact for

additional information to support or clarify your allegations about

discriminationintheoperationoffederallyconductedprograms.

WhatwillFEMAdowithmycomplaint? Onceacomplaintisfiled,itwillbereviewed

by FEMA to determine whether it hasjurisdiction to investigate the issues you have

raised. Ifyourcomplaint isaccepted,FEMAwill investigate itandattempt toresolve

any violations that are found. If negotiations to correct a violation are unsuccessful,

enforcementproceedingsmaybeinstituted.

What if I am retaliated againstfor assertingmy rights orfiling a complaint? You

shouldbe aware that a recipient or a Federal agency is prohibited from retaliating

againstyouoranypersonbecauseheorsheopposedanunlawfulpolicyorpractice,or

madecharges,testified,orparticipatedinanycomplaintactionunderaCivilRightslaw.

If youbelieve that you havebeen retaliated against, you should immediately contact

FEMAsOfficeofEqualRights.

www.fema.gov

19


24/33

DescriptionofIneligibleReasons

1. InitialDecisionsI69B

Ineligible

Signature

Not

Obtained

(90

69B):

Based

on

FEMA

records,

no

signedDeclaration&ReleaseForm(9069B)fortheapplicationisonfile. Thisformis

requiredbeforeFEMAcanprovideassistance.

IAWIneligible SameAddress: BasedonFEMArecords,atthetimeofthedisaster

theapplicantwaslivingatthesameaddressassomeonewhoalreadyappliedforFEMA

housingassistance. FEMAcanonlyprovideassistanceforoneapplicationperaddress.

IDUPAIneligibleDuplicateRegistration: BasedonFEMArecords,anapplicant

alreadyhasanapplicationforassistanceonfileforthisdisaster. FEMAcanonly

considerasingleapplicationfromanapplicant.

IIDIneligibleInsufficientDamage: BasedonaFEMAinspection,itwas

determinedthatthedisasterhadnotcausedtheapplicantshometobeunsafetolivein.

Thisdeterminationwasbasedsolelyonthedamagestothehomethatarerelatedtothe

disaster.

IIDVIneligibleFailedIdentityVerification: Beforeweareabletoconsideran

applicationfordisasterassistance,FEMAisrequiredtoverifytheinformationprovided

onanapplication. Atthistimeweareunabletomatchtheapplicantnameandsocial

securitynumberinordertoverifyidentity.

IMIIneligibleMissedInspection: Basedonourrecords,theapplicantdidnotkeep

appointmentswiththeFEMAinspector. InordertobeconsideredforFEMAhousing

assistance,theapplicant(oranotherhouseholdmemberovertheageof18)mustmeet

withtheinspectortoevaluatethedisasterrelateddamagestothehome.Atthistime,the

applicantisnoteligibletobeconsideredforFEMAhousingassistance.

INCIIneligibleNoContactInspection: AFEMAinspectorhasnotbeenableto

contacttheapplicanttoscheduleanappointment. InordertobeconsideredforFEMA

housingassistance,theapplicant(oranotherhouseholdmemberovertheageof18)

mustmeet

with

an

inspector

to

evaluate

the

disaster

related

damages

to

the

home.

At

thistime,theapplicantisnoteligibletobeconsideredforFEMAassistance.

INFIIneligibleFloodInsurance:Basedonourrecords,thehomethattheapplicant

livedinatthetimeofthedisasteriscoveredbyfloodinsurance. Atthistime,the


20


25/33

applicantisnoteligibleforassistancefordamagestothehomethatarecoveredbyflood

insurance.

INIIneligibleInsurance(withinspection): Basedonourrecords,thehomethatthe

applicantlivedinatthetimeofthedisasteriscoveredbyinsurance. Anydamages

identifiedintheFEMAinspectionshouldbecoveredbytheapplicantsinsurance.FEMAcannotprovideassistancewhichisavailablefromanothersource,including

insurance;therefore,theapplicantisnoteligibleforFEMAhomerepairorreplacement

assistanceatthistime. Theapplicantshouldfileaclaimwiththeirinsuranceagentas

soonaspossiblebecauseFEMAmaybeabletoassistwithlossesnotcoveredby

insurance.

INO AppealIneligibleInsuranceCoversLivingExpenses: Basedonthe

informationtheapplicantsubmitted,theinsurancehe/shehasonhis/herhomeprovides

fundstorentatemporaryplacetolivewhilerepairsarebeingmadetothehome. We

havenot

received

documents

that

show

the

applicant

has

used

all

available

funds

for

rentingatemporaryplacetoliveorthattheinsurancesettlementhasbeendelayed

longerthan30daysfromwhentheapplicantfiledaclaim. Asaresult,theapplicants

appealisdeniedandhe/sheisnoteligibletoreceiverentalassistancefromFEMA.

INOIneligibleNotaLegalResident: AsignedDeclarationandReleaseForm(90

69B)isrequiredbeforeFEMAcanconsideranapplicantforanyassistancehe/shemay

beeligibletoreceive. Basedonourrecords,theapplicanthasnotindicatedthathe/she

oramemberofhis/herhouseholdisaU.S.Citizen,NonCitizenNational,oraQualified

Alien. Asaresult,theapplicantisnoteligibleforFEMAassistance.

INOIneligibleOwnershipNotProven: Ourrecordsindicatethattheapplicanthas

notproventhathe/sheownedthehomeatthetimeofthedisaster. Asaresult,the

applicantisnoteligibleforFEMAhomerepairorreplacementassistance.

INONVIneligibleOccupancyNotVerified: WhentheapplicantappliedforFEMA

assistance,he/sheinformedFEMAthatthehomedamagedbythedisasterwaswhere

he/shelivethemajorityoftheyear. AtthetimeoftheFEMAinspection,theapplicant

wasunabletoprovidedocumentsthatdemonstratethatthehomeweinspectediswhere

he/shelive(d). Untilwecanverifythattheapplicantlivedattheaddressprovided,the

applicantisnoteligibleforFEMAhousingassistance.

INRIneligibleWillNotRelocate: BasedonFEMArecords,theapplicanttoldthe

FEMAinspectorthathe/sheisnotgoingtomovefromhis/herdamagedhomewhile

repairsarebeingmade. Sincetheapplicantdoesnotplantomove,he/sheisnoteligible

forFEMArentalassistanceatthistime.

www.fema.gov

21


26/33

INSIneligibleInsured(withnoinspection): Basedonourrecords,thehomethat

theapplicantlivedinatthetimeofthedisasteriscoveredbyinsurance. Anydamages

reportedatthetimeoftheapplicationforFEMAassistanceshouldbecoveredbythe

applicantsinsurance. FEMAcannotprovideassistancewhichisavailablefromanother

source,includinginsurance;therefore,theapplicantisnoteligibleforFEMAhome

repairorreplacementassistanceatthistime. Theapplicantshouldfileaclaimwithhis/herinsuranceagentassoonaspossiblebecauseFEMAmaybeabletoassistwith

lossesnotcoveredbyinsurance.

IOVR IneligibleOverProgramMaximum: BasedonFEMAsrecords,themaximum

amountofFEMAfinancialassistancehasalreadybeenprovidedtotheapplicantfor

housingand/orotherdisasterneeds. Asaresult,theapplicantisnoteligibletoreceive

additionalfinancialassistancefromFEMA.

ISCIneligible SanctionedCommunityinSFHA: BasedonFEMArecords,thehome

wasdamaged

by

flood

and

is

located

in

aflood

zone

in

acommunity

that

is

not

currentlyparticipatingintheNationalFloodInsuranceProgram. Becausetheflood

damagedhomeislocatedinaspecialfloodhazardareaandtheapplicantscommunity

isnotparticipatingintheNationalFloodInsuranceProgram,FEMAisnotallowedto

providerepairorreplacementassistanceatthistime.

NCOMP NoncompliantwithFloodInsuranceRequirement: BasedonFEMA

records,theapplicanthasarequirementtomaintainfloodinsurancecoverageonthe

property. Sincethehomewasdamagedbyfloodandtheapplicantdoesnothavean

activefloodinsurancepolicyonfilewiththeNationalFloodInsuranceProgram,FEMA

cannotproviderepairorreplacementassistanceatthistime. However,FEMAmaybe

abletoproviderentalassistanceifaninspectordeterminedthatthehomeisunsafeand

theapplicantneedstorelocatewhilerepairsarebeingmade.

WVOWithdrawnApplicantWithdrewVoluntarily: BasedonFEMArecords,the

applicantindicatedthathe/shedidnotwantFEMAassistance. Asaresult,theFEMA

applicationfordisasterassistancewaswithdrawn.

2. AppealDecisionsAI69BAppealIneligible SignatureNotObtained(9069B): AccordingtoFEMA

records,no

signed

Declaration

&

Release

Form

(90

69B)

is

on

file

for

the

applicant.

FEMAcanonlyprovideassistanceifthe9069Bformissigned,datedandinthefile.

AIAWAppealIneligibleSameAddress: Inapreviousletter,weexplainedthat

ourrecordsshowedthatatthetimeofthedisastertheapplicantwaslivingatthesame

addressassomeonewhoalreadyappliedforFEMAhousingassistance. FEMA


22


27/33

reviewedtheappealandadditionaldocumentsprovidedandwerestillnotabletoverify

thattheapplicantlivedatadifferentaddressthanthepersonwhoapplied. Asaresult,

theappealisnotapprovedandtheapplicantisnoteligibleforhousingassistancefrom

FEMA.

AIIDAppealIneligibleInsufficientDamageOwner: Inapreviousletter,weexplainedthattheapplicantwasnoteligibleforFEMAhousingassistancebecausewhen

FEMAinspectedthehomeitwasdeterminedthatthedisasterhadnotcausedthe

applicantshometobeunsafetolivein. Thisdeterminationwasbasedsolelyonthe

damagestothehomethatarerelatedtothedisaster. Weexplainedthatalthoughthe

disastermayhavecausedsomeminordamage,itwasreasonabletoexpecttheapplicant

ortheirlandlordtomaketheserepairs. Wedescribedthedocumentsthatcouldbe

submittedtoshowthatthedamagetothehomewascausedbythedisasterandhas

causedunsafeorunlivableconditions.Wehavereviewedtheappealanddetermined

thatourinitialdecisionwascorrect. Thehomedidnotsufferdisasterrelateddamage

thatmade

it

unsafe

for

the

applicant

to

live

in

after

the

disaster.

AIIDVAppealIneligibleFailedIdentityVerification:Inapreviousletter,we

explainedweneededadditionalinformationtoverifytheapplicantsidentification

beforewecouldconsidertheapplicationfordisasterassistance.FEMAisrequiredto

verifytheinformationprovidedonanapplicationandwewereunabletomatchthe

applicantsnameandsocialsecuritynumbertoverifytheidentity. Wedescribedthe

documentsthatmightprovidetheneededverification. Wehavereviewedthe

applicantsappealandadditionaldocumentsprovidedandhavestillbeenunableto

verifyidentity. FEMAisnotabletoprovideanyassistancetoindividualswithoutfirst

verifyingtheiridentity. Asaresult,theappealisnotapprovedandwearenotableto

processtheapplicationfurtheratthistime.

AIMI AppealIneligibleMissedInspection:Inapreviousletter,weexplainedthat

inordertobeconsideredforFEMAhousingassistance,theapplicant(oranother

householdmemberovertheageof18)mustmeetwiththeinspectortoassessthe

disasterrelateddamagestoyourhome,andthatourrecordsshowedthattheapplicant

didnotkeepappointmentswiththeFEMAinspector. Theapplicantcontactedthe

FEMAHelplineandanotherinspectorwasassignedtoassessthehome. Onceagainthe

applicantdidnotkeeptheappointment. Asaresult,wewillnotbeabletoassistthe

applicantfurther.

AINCIAppealIneligibleNoContactInspection: Inapreviousletter,FEMA

explainedthatinordertobeconsideredforFEMAhousingassistance,theapplicant(or

anotherhouseholdmemberovertheageof18)mustmeetwithaninspectortoassessthe

disasterrelateddamagestothehome,andthataFEMAinspectorhadnotbeenableto

contacttheapplicanttoscheduleanappointment. TheapplicantcontactedtheFEMA

www.fema.gov

23


28/33

Helplineandanotherinspectorwasassignedtoassessthehome. Afterrepeated

attempts,thatinspectorhasbeenunabletoreachtheapplicanttoschedulean

inspection. Asaresult,wewillnotbeabletoassisttheapplicantfurther.

AINFI AppealIneligibleMissingFloodInsuranceSettlementorDenialLetter:

Inapreviousletter,weexplainedthattheapplicantwasnoteligibleforFEMAhomerepairorreplacementassistancebecausetheapplicanthasfloodinsurance. We

describedthedocumentsthatcouldbesenttoappealourdecision.Wehavereviewed

theapplicantsappealandadditionaldocumentsprovidedandwearestillnotableto

verifytheamountoftheapplicantsinsurancesettlement. Asaresult,theappealisnot

approvedandtheapplicantisnoteligibleforFEMAhousingassistance.

AINI,AINS AppealIneligibleMissingInsuranceSettlementorDenialLetter:

Inapreviousletter,weexplainedthattheapplicantwasnoteligibleforFEMAhome

repairorreplacementassistancebecausetheyhaveinsuranceontheirhome. Thatletter

alsodescribed

the

documents

that

the

applicant

could

send

to

appeal

our

decision.

We

havereviewedthedocumentsthatapplicantprovidedandweareunabletoprocessthe

appealbecausewedidnotreceivedetailedinsurancesettlementdocumentsoran

insurancedenialletter. Iftheapplicanthasquestionsaboutwhatdocumentsarestill

needed,theyshouldcontacttheFEMAHelpline.

AINO AppealIneligibleAfter60DayDeadline: Inapreviousletter,we

explainedthatanyappealofaFEMAdecisionmustbesubmittedwithin60daysofour

decisionletter. Theapplicantdidnotsubmitanappealuntilafterthe60daydeadline.

Asaresult,theappealwillnotbeconsideredunlessoneofthefollowingconditions

preventedtheapplicantfromcompletinganappeal: 1).Hospitalization,illness,

disability,ordeathofanimmediatefamilymember;2).Personalorbusinesstravelthat

kepttheapplicantoutoftheareaforthefullappealperiod.IftheapplicantwantsFEMA

toconsideranappeal,theapplicantmaysendaletterofexplanationandallrelated

documentsthatclearlyshowwhytheapplicantwasunabletocompleteanappeal.

AINO AppealIneligibleInsuranceSettlementExceedsFEMAEligibleDamage:

Unlikeprivateinsurance,FEMAhousingrepairprogramislimitedonlytoessential

repairs. Asaresult,itisnotuncommonforinsurancesettlementstoexceedwhatFEMA

canprovideforrepairassistance. BecauseFEMAcannotduplicateassistanceprovided

byinsurance,theapplicantsappealisnotapproved.

AINO AppealIneligibleNotaLegalResident: Inapreviousletter,weexplained

thatFEMAcouldnotconsidertheapplicantforanyassistancethattheymaybeeligible

toreceiveuntiltheyindicateonaDeclarationandReleaseForm(9069B)thattheyora

memberoftheirhouseholdisaU.S.Citizen,NonCitizenNational,oraQualifiedAlien.

Wealsosuggestedthattheapplicantcompleteandsubmitanotherform.Wehave


24


29/33

reviewedtheapplicantsappealandtheadditionaldocumentsprovidedandwearestill

unabletodeterminethattheapplicantoramemberoftheirhouseholdisaU.S.Citizen,

NonCitizenNational,orQualifiedAlien. Asaresult,theapplicantsappealisdenied

andtheywillnotbeconsideredforFEMAassistance.

AINO AppealIneligibleOwnershipNotProven: Inapreviousletter,weexplainedthattheapplicanthasnotproventhathe/sheownedthehomeatthetimeof

thedisaster. Wedescribedthedocumentsthatapplicantcouldsubmitwhichwould

showownershipofthedamagedhome. Wehavereviewedtheapplicantsappealand

theadditionaldocumentsprovided;however,wearestillnotabletoverifythatthe

applicantownedthehome. Asaresult,theappealisdeniedandtheapplicantisnot

eligibleforFEMAhomerepairorreplacementassistance.

AINO Appeal IneligibleUnabletoReimburseoverApprovedRentalRate:

Previously,weexplainedthattheamountofFEMAmonthlyrentalassistanceisbased

onthe

number

of

occupied

bedrooms

in

the

applicant

shome

at

the

time

of

the

disaster

andislimitedtorentalratesdeterminedbyFEMAandtheU.S.DepartmentofHousing

andUrbanDevelopment(HUD). Wehavereviewedtheapplicantsappealand

additionalinformationprovided. Wehavedeterminedthatthemonthlyratewepaid

theapplicantwastheappropriateamount. Asaresult,theappealisdeniedandweare

notabletopayyouahighermonthlyrentalrate.

AINONV Appeal IneligibleOccupancyNotVerified: Inapreviousletter,we

explainedthatwecouldnotverifythatthehometheapplicantreportedasdamagedby

thedisasterwaswherehe/shelive(d). Wehavereviewedtheapplicantsappealand

additionaldocumentsprovidedandwearestillnotabletoverifythatthehomethe

applicantreportedwaswherehe/shelive(d). Asaresult,theapplicantsappealisnot

approvedandtheyarenoteligibleforFEMAhousingassistance.

AIOVR Appeal IneligibleOverProgramMaximum: Inapreviousletter,we

explainedthattheapplicantwasnoteligibleforfurtherassistancefromFEMAbecause

themaximumamountofFEMAfinancialassistancehadalreadybeenprovidedfor

housingand/orotherdisasterneeds. Wehavereviewedtheappealandadditional

documentsprovided. OurrecordsstillshowthattheapplicanthasreachedtheFEMA

maximumfinancialassistancelimit. Therefore,weareunabletoprovidetheapplicant

additionalassistancefromFEMA.

AISC Appeal Ineligible SanctionedCommunityinSFHA:Inapreviousletter,we

explainedtheapplicantwasnoteligibleforFEMAhomerepairorreplacement

assistancebecausethehomeislocatedinafloodzonewithinacommunitythatisnot

currentlyparticipatingintheNationalFloodInsuranceProgram(NFIP). Thatletteralso

describedthedocumentsthattheapplicantcouldsendtoappealourdecision. Wehave

www.fema.gov

25


30/33

reviewedtheappealandadditionaldocumentsprovided. Ourrecordsstillshowthat

theapplicantshomeislocatedinafloodzoneandthatthedamagestothehomewere

causedbyflood. Asaresult,theappealisdeniedandtheapplicantisnoteligiblefor

FEMAhousingassistance.

ANCOMP Appeal NoncompliantwithFloodInsuranceRequirement:Inapreviousletter,weexplainedtheapplicantwasnoteligibleforFEMAhomerepairorreplacement

assistancebecausetheydidnotmaintaintherequiredfloodinsurancefortheirproperty.

Sincewehavenotreceiveddocumentationtodeterminethatthehomewasnot

damagedbyfloodand/orwehavenotreceiveddocumentsshowingthattheapplicant

doeshaveanactivefloodinsurancepolicyontheproperty,theappealisdenied.


26


31/33

Sample FEMAForm9069B

DeclarationandRelease


27


32/33


33/33

IFYOUSUSPECTSOMEONEISFILING

FALSEDAMAGECLAIMS,

CALLTHE

FEMA

FRAUD

HOTLINE:

18003238603

HELPFEMAMAKESURE

THATDISASTERAIDGOES

ONLYTOTHOSEWHO

DESERVEIT.

ITISAVIOLATIONOF

FEDERALLAWTOFILEA

FALSECLAIM.

FEMAassistanceisavailabletoanyaffectedpersonorhouseholdthatmeetstheconditionsofeligibility.

NoFederal,State,orlocalentityorofficial(ortheiragent)maydiscriminateagainstanyindividual

becauseofrace,color,religion,sex,age,nationalorigin,disability,oreconomicstatus.

Documents

How to apply for federal disaster relief