As a result of the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding May 8 – 16, President Obama signed a disaster declaration for Missouri. The declaration makes federal disaster assistance available to Texas County residents, but accessing such assistance can be hindered by misinformation.
A disaster center has operated by the Texas County Justice Center in Houston until last week.
Below are some answers that may help clarify common misconceptions about disaster assistance available from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Is registering with FEMA for disaster assistance complicated? No. Registering is free, can be done on the Internet or by phone and takes about 20 minutes. Registrations can be completed online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling FEMA at 800-621-FEMA (3362), or TTY 800-462-7585. Representatives are available 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week until further notice. Multilingual operators are available.
Do I have to register with FEMA if I’m already registered with agencies such as the state, American Red Cross (ARC) or local county emergency manager? Yes. Registering with ARC or other organizations and agencies is different than registering for FEMA assistance. In order to be considered for assistance you must register with FEMA directly.
If I have insurance, can I still apply for FEMA assistance to help pay for losses my insurance doesn’t cover? Yes. While insurance is your main source of funding to replace your disaster losses, there may be additional costs that insurance does not cover. Additionally, a low-interest disaster loan may be available to cover expenses while an insurance claim is processed.
Do I have to wait for an insurance adjustor or inspector to visit before I can clean up?No. You should begin cleaning your home or business as soon as possible to prevent further damage. Remember to take photos and keep records of your clean-up efforts and expenses.
Aren’t SBA loans only available for businesses? No. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, non-profit organizations for repair or replacement costs for disaster-related damages not fully covered by insurance or other compensation. After a presidential declaration, the SBA is the primary source of federal financial assistance. The SBA has representatives in all Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) and Disaster Loan Outreach Centers (DLOC). Details on the locations of DRCs and DLOCs and the loan application process can be obtained by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or by e-mailing our customer service center at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
Survivors may also apply for disaster loans from SBA’s secure Web site at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.
I’m not interested in getting a loan; I only want grants. Do I still need to fill out an SBA loan form? Yes. Completing and submitting an SBA loan application is not required to qualify for temporary housing and emergency home repair grants from FEMA. However, if an applicant receives the loan application in the mail, FEMA encourages them to return it so they can be considered for all forms of assistance they may be eligible for. If you do not receive an SBA loan application in your FEMA application packet, or you do not qualify for a loan, you may be considered for other forms of assistance.
Do I have to visit a Disaster Recovery Center to apply for assistance? No. Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are provided for those who may want to speak in person with a disaster recovery specialist. DRC services include checking the status of a claim, getting answers to questions about the recovery status and reviewing information FEMA needs to process an individual’s claim. Recovery specialists also can supply contacts for other programs that may be available for further assistance.
If I rent an apartment can I get help to replace my damaged property? Possibly. A renter may qualify for an SBA low-interest disaster loan or a grant from FEMA to replace personal property. One type of grant may cover temporary housing needs if a renter has to move to another dwelling. Individuals or families may also be eligible for grants that help with other serious disaster-related needs and expenses not covered by insurance or other disaster assistance programs.
If I have received disaster assistance before, can I register for help now? Yes. Even if you received disaster assistance funds due to previous disasters, you can once again register for assistance.
Should I worry that receiving FEMA assistance may decrease the amount of my Social Security checks? No. FEMA assistance funds do not come out of Social Security funds and will not affect your monthly Social Security check.
If I receive disaster assistance from FEMA will it decrease the amount available to help others in need? No. There are enough disaster funds to take care of every eligible applicant.