Storm recovery centers update

On Monday, May 4, a Disaster Recovery Center (DRCs) will open at noon in Walton county to help Floridians recover from severe storms and flooding that began March 26. Federal and state disaster-recovery representatives are currently meeting one-on-one to speed the recovery process at DRCs across the 14 disaster-designated counties.  

DRCs OPEN AS OF NOON MONDAY, MAY 4:

WALTON COUNTY
Walton County Training Bldg.
552 Walton Rd.
De Funiak Springs, FL 32433   

HOLMES COUNTY
New Hope Vol. Fire Dept.
1243 Hwy. 179-A
Westville, FL 32464   

WASHINGTON COUNTY
Wausau City Hall
1607 Second Ave.
Wausau, FL 32463...this location will close Saturday, according to  anews release from Washington County EOC

DRCs are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

Storm survivors who visit the centers may apply for assistance, check the status of an existing Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) application and get additional information about resources available to eligible applicants. The centers are staffed with specialists from FEMA, the State Emergency Response Team (SERT), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and a variety of disaster-recovery representatives from local and voluntary agencies. They have access to important resources and can help individuals on the road to recovery.

Counties in which applicants may be eligible for Individual Assistance from FEMA include: Calhoun, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Holmes, Jackson, Lafayette, Liberty, Madison, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Suwannee, Walton and Washington counties. Visiting a DRC is not mandatory, but those wishing to do so may go to any center for help. 
 
It is recommended that homeowners and renters register before visiting a DRC. This can be done online at www.disasterassistance.gov, or by calling FEMA’s toll-free registration and Helpline at      800-621-FEMA (3362), or TTY 800-462-7585 for those with a speech- or hearing-impairment. Multilingual operators are available. Representatives will provide assistance from 7a.m to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week until further notice. 

Registering for assistance from the American Red Cross is different than registering with FEMA, so those seeking FEMA assistance must call the toll-free telephone number, go to the Web site or visit a DRC.

The SBA offers low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and certain private non-profit organizations. These loans are to repair or replace homes, businesses and personal property not covered by insurance and damaged by the severe storms in Florida. 

SBA representatives will be on hand at the DRCs to meet with individuals and business owners to answer any questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, help them complete their SBA disaster loan application and accept completed applications.  Anyone not able to go to a DRC should call the SBA Customer Service Center from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. EDT Saturday toll-free at 800-659-2955 for information and assistance or visit the SBA website at www.sba.gov.

Those affected by the disaster may apply for disaster loans from SBA’s web site at https:/disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

FEMA ASSISTANCE: MISCONCEPTIONS CAN MEAN SOME MISS OUT ON DISASTER AID

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Don’t let half-truths and rumors cause you to miss out on federal disaster assistance available to Floridians devastated by severe storms and flooding since March 26.  Here are some answers that should help clarify common misconceptions about disaster assistance:

•    Isn’t registering with FEMA for disaster assistance complicated?
No. Registering is free, can be done by phone or on the Internet and takes about 20 minutes. Get the help you’re eligible for by calling the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) toll-free registration and Helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362), or TTY 800-462-7585, for those with a speech- or hearing-impairment. Registrations can also be completed online at www.disasterassistance.gov, or at a Disaster Recovery Center. Representatives are available 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week until further notice. Multilingual operators are available to speak to applicants. 

Those living in Calhoun, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Holmes, Jackson, Lafayette, Liberty, Madison, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Suwannee, Walton and Washington counties whose property was damaged during the storms are encouraged to apply for FEMA assistance.
 
•    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 are many things insurance does not cover. Some individuals may find they are underinsured and disaster assistance may be able to help fill the gap.

•    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.

•    Can I apply for a loan from the SBA or are they only for businesses?
Yes. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers low-interest disaster loans to renters, homeowners and businesses for uninsured or underinsured disaster-related damages. After a presidential declaration, the SBA is the primary source of federal financial assistance. The SBA has representatives in all Disaster Recovery Centers.

•    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. You may call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362) to start the process. The deaf, hard of hearing and speech impaired may call TTY 800-462-7585 to apply. Multilingual operators are available to speak to applicants. Toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week until further notice. Also, applicants can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov.

•    Do I have to be a legal U.S. resident to receive Individual Assistance?
Possibly. To be eligible for assistance from FEMA you must be a U.S. citizen or a qualified alien. A qualified alien generally includes individuals who are lawful permanent residents (possessing an alien registration receipt card commonly called a “green card”) or those with legal status due to asylum, refugee, parole (admission into the U.S. for humanitarian purposes), withholding of deportation, or victim of domestic violence.

•    I am an undocumented immigrant, do I qualify?
Possibly. You may apply for Individual Assistance on behalf of your child who is a U.S. citizen— born in the U.S. or naturalized— or a qualified alien. Or another adult household member may qualify for household assistance if he or she is a documented immigrant. You may also be eligible under many different programs run by state, local and voluntary agencies for various types of assistance. An undocumented immigrant may be eligible for short-term, non-cash emergency aid provided by FEMA.

•    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 before, 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.


•    Do I have to register with FEMA if I’m already registered with the American Red Cross (ARC)?
Yes. Registering with ARC is different than registering for FEMA assistance. In order to be considered for FEMA assistance you must register with FEMA directly.

•    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.