[StBernard] Recovery News - First Letter may not be the last word from FEMA

[Westley Annis]

FIRST LETTER MAY NOT BE THE LAST WORD FROM FEMA


Applicants who receive notice from the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) that they are ineligible for disaster assistance after Hurricane
Isaac may discover that a "no" can be turned into a "yes."

"A denial may simply mean that we need more information to make a decision
regarding your application," said Mike Hall, federal coordinating officer
for the disaster recovery operation in Louisiana. "Please work with us. Help
us help you."

 

Disaster assistance for qualified homeowners and renters may include grants
to help pay for temporary housing, emergency home repairs or serious
disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance. The U.S. Small Business
Administration (SBA) also offers low-interest disaster loans for homeowners,
renters and business owners. 

 

Both disaster grants and loans cover uninsured or uncompensated losses and
do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

 

The most common reason for a denial of housing assistance is that the
applicant needs to provide FEMA with a copy of an insurance settlement
before a grant application can be processed.

 

Other reasons for a determination of ineligibility:

 

.         The applicant did not sign the required documents.

.         The applicant did not prove occupancy or ownership.

.         The damage is to a secondary home or a rental property, not a
primary     residence. 

.         Someone else in the household has already applied and received
help.

.         A FEMA housing inspector cannot reach the applicant by phone.

.         The applicant did not maintain the required flood insurance
coverage for the damaged property.

 

Applicants can call the FEMA helpline at 1-800-621-3362, or TTY
1-800-462-7585, to find out why they were denied and how to submit any
required documents or changes to contact information. For those who use 711
Relay or Video Relay Services, call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free lines are
open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

 

Applicants may also visit the Disaster Recovery Center inside of the St.
Bernard Civic Center, 3220 Jean Lafitte Parkway, Chalmette, where
specialists from the state of Louisiana, FEMA and the SBA are on hand to
answer questions, review applications and accept required documents. For a
list of the centers open in Louisiana, go online to
www.fema.gov/disaster/4080 or www.gohsep.la.gov. 

 

If FEMA determines that an applicant is not eligible for a federal grant,
the applicant may still be eligible for other assistance, such as disaster
unemployment assistance, low-interest federal disaster loans or crisis
counseling services.

 

An applicant also has the right to appeal a denial in writing within 60 days
from the date of the decision of the letter. Guidelines for appeals can be
found in the "Help After a Disaster" handbook that each applicant receives.
Applicants can also get guidance on this issue at any Disaster Recovery
Center.