Obtaining Disaster Assistance for Individuals and Families

If you live in an area the President has designated as a disaster area, you may be eligible for a variety of disaster assistance programs. Disaster assistance is money or other assistance to individuals, families and businesses whose property has been damaged or destroyed and whose losses are NOT covered by insurance. This assistance is meant to help with critical expenses that cannot be covered in other ways. It is not intended to restore your property to its condition before the disaster.

Applying for Assistance

Most government assistance programs require that you apply for disaster assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA). Money and services are provided through the Individuals and Households Program (IHP). Low-interest loans are provided through the Small Business Administration for homeowners and renters. Most assistance will be in the form of loans.

FEMA

Applications for assistance can be completed by calling 1-800-621-3362 (hearing/speech impaired ONLY - call TTY: 1-800-462-7585). Or you may apply online at www.fema.gov (Click on "Online Individual Assistance Center"). FEMA does not accept applications through the mail, nor can they be completed at Disaster Recovery Centers (unless a Center has computers available for public use). To apply, you will need:

• your Social Security number,
• current and pre-disaster addresses,
• phone numbers where you may be contacted,
• description of your losses that were caused by the disaster,
• directions to your damaged property,
• type of insurance coverage,
• total household annual income, and
• the routing number and account number from your bank if you want to have disaster assistance funds deposited directly into your account.

You will be given a FEMA registration identification number. Once this number is assigned, it identifies you and your claim with FEMA. This number will be on all official correspondence related to your claim. All official FEMA representatives and inspectors will have this number before they speak to you. Should you be asked for this number by anyone claiming to be a FEMA official, do not give it to them. Since official FEMA representatives will already have this number, please ask for identification. You will receive a copy of your registration form in the mail along with a copy of Help After a Disaster: Applicant's Guide to the Individuals & Households Program (also available from FEMA ).

FEMA has authorized Expedited Assistance for those who suffered damage from Hurricane Rita. Expedited Assistance of $2000 per eligible household can be used for immediate disaster-related needs such as food, transportation, clothing and housing. Expedited Assistance may be only a portion of the total assistance you may be eligible for. After going through the normal eligibility process, you may receive additional assistance. You must complete the FEMA application process to receive Expedited Assistance. Funds may be deposited directly to your bank account (the quickest way to receive them) or mailed to you.

About 10 to 14 days after you register you should receive a call from a FEMA inspector who will schedule an appointment to inspect your property. In areas where access is restricted, it may take longer for an inspection to take place. About 10 days after the inspection, FEMA will decide whether you qualify for assistance and, if so, send you a check or deposit funds to your bank account. FEMA will send you a letter telling you how you are to use the money (repairs, rent, etc.). If FEMA determines you are not eligible for assistance, you will receive a letter explaining why you were turned down and what the appeals process is. Appeals must be made in writing and mailed within 60 days of FEMA's decision.

If you have insurance, you should contact your insurance agent or company to file a claim as soon as possible. Failure to file a claim may affect your eligibility for assistance. FEMA may be able to provide assistance if your insurance settlement is delayed, your insurance settlement is insufficient to meet your disaster-related needs, you have exhausted the Additional Living Expenses provided by your policy, or you are unable to locate rental resources in your area. For more information see www.fema.gov/about/process/dhelp_insurance.shtm. You have up to 12 months from the date you registered with FEMA to submit your insurance information for review. By law, FEMA cannot provide money for losses that are covered by insurance. For insurance settlements that are delayed more than 30 days from the date you filed your claim, FEMA may be able to provide assistance. This assistance is considered an advance and must be repaid to FEMA once you receive your insurance settlement.

Small Business Administration (SBA)

If FEMA determines you are not eligible for assistance under the IHP, you will receive an SBA Disaster Loan application for homeowners and renters in the mail. The SBA provides low-interest loans for rebuilding your home. Renters and homeowners may borrow up to $40,000 in Personal Property loans to repair or replace clothing, furniture, cars or appliances damaged or destroyed in a disaster. Homeowners may apply for Real Property Loans of up to $200,000 to repair or restore a main residence to its pre-disaster condition. Any proceeds from insurance coverage on your property will be deducted from the total damage to the property to determine the loan amount for which you are eligible.

Loan applications should be completed and submitted even if you have not yet received a final settlement from your insurance company. It's important not to miss the filing deadline. Assistance in completing SBA applications can be obtained from SBA representatives at Disaster Recovery Centers. SBA representatives can also provide information about assistance programs for businesses.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance. Many people living in areas affected by the disaster may be unable to return to work because of damage. You may qualify for Unemployment Insurance and/or Disaster Unemployment Assistance. You must first file for regular unemployment benefits before filing for Disaster Unemployment Assistance. Apply online at www.twc.state.tx.us/ui/uiclaim.html or by calling 1-800-939-6631. This program covers most people affected by a disaster, including many who do not normally qualify for regular unemployment insurance such as the self-employed. Claims for Disaster Unemployment Insurance must be filed by November 30, 2005.

Finding a Job. Job seekers may visit the Texas Workforce centers to view job postings, find out about training programs, get help preparing a resume, and access other services. To determine the operation schedules of Workforce Centers in affected areas call:

South East Texas Workforce Development Board (Hardin, Jefferson and Orange Counties) - (409) 719-4750

WorkSource Houston (Chambers, Galveston and Liberty Counties) -

(713) 627-3200

Workforce Solutions of Deep East Texas (Jasper, Newton and Tyler Counties) -

(936) 639-8898

Employers with jobs for displaced storm victims may post them by calling the Texas Workforce Commission at 1-800-695-6879. Both job seekers and employers will find helpful information at http://www.WorkInTexas.com .

Farm/Agricultural Damages. Farmers and ranchers should apply for FEMA assistance to cover damages to their homes or personal property. They can also apply for SBA loans to cover damage to homes and their contents. Contact your local Farm Services Agency office to inquire about USDA disaster assistance programs for damage to crops, livestock, farm equipment, barns, etc.

Tax Relief from the IRS. For persons in Chambers, Galveston, Hardin, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Newton, Orange and Tyler Counties, the Internal Revenue Service has postponed the deadline for filing returns, paying taxes, and other time-sensitive actions to February 28, 2006. In other areas of Texas, persons must identify that they are Hurricane Rita victims and eligible for this relief. This includes taxpayers whose books, records or tax preparers are located in the disaster area. Taxpayers should write "Hurricane Rita" in RED ink at the top of their tax forms or documents when they file with the IRS. In addition to postponing the deadline, IRS will abate interest and any penalties that would otherwise apply for any tax return, tax payment, or tax deposit with an original or extended due date falling on or after September 23, 2005. This relief includes the October 17 deadline for individuals who received a second extension for filing their individual income tax returns; the October 31 deadline for filing quarter federal employment and excise tax returns; and employment and excise deposits due on or before February 28, 2006. For further information call the IRS Disaster Hotline at 1-866-562-5227.

References:

Hurricane Disaster Assistance , Small Business Administration, www.sba.gov , downloaded September 30, 2005.

Disaster Assistance Frequently Asked Questions , www.fema.gov/rrr/dafaq/shtm , downloaded September 30, 2005.

Help After a Disaster: Applicant's Guide to the Individuals & Households Program (August 2005), www.fema.gov/pdf/about/process/help_after_disaster_english.pdf , downloaded September 30, 2005.