Decision letters from FEMA will have a date and a reason for the decision. Do not assume that the reason listed tells the whole story. Further information and clarification from FEMA Helpline (800) 621-3362 may be needed. Applicants can call and get this information. (This could spark a review and an appeal may not be needed)

All appeals must be in writing and must include:

• Date
• Name of applicant
• Damaged Dwelling address
• FEMA ID number and disaster number DR1894
• Why the reason for the decision is incorrect
• Substantiation and documentation
• Verification documents such as receipts and contractor estimates must be dated, itemized and include the name and phone number of the vendor.

Keep in mind from FEMA perspective: Safe, Sanitary, Functional, Habitable

IF over the 60 day period from the date of the decision letter, include a statement as to why it is late.

Some acceptable reasons can include:

• Illness, hospitalization or disability (clarify for FEMA)
• Illness, hospitalization, disability or death of an immediate family member
• Personal or business travel that kept them out of the area for the full 60 days
• No contractors available to give estimates

Unacceptable reasons can include:

• “I forgot”, “I didn’t know”

Time frames to provide requested documentation on continuing housing assistance are 90 days. On providing additional documentation another 30 days for a total of 120 days

Registrants have 12 months from the date of registration to provide insurance information for review.

The mitigation experts will provide information on:

• Cleaning mold and mildew;
• Elevating electrical services and appliances;
• Installing sewer backflow valves;
• Removing and replacing drywall and insulation;
• Channeling water away from foundations;
• Repairing with water-
• The permitting process required for rebuilding.

Those affected by either storm now have until Dec. 15 to register for federal disaster assistance.

“We’ve extended the registration deadline for people who – for whatever reason – have not had the opportunity to register for assistance,” said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Philip E. Parr. “The goal is to ensure all eligible Irene and Lee survivors have the chance to seek assistance.”

To register, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.  Phone lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET, seven days a week until further notice. People with hearing disabilities can use the TTY number, 800-462-7585. Applicants can also register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or with any web-enabled mobile device or smartphone at m.fema.gov. Follow the link to “apply online for federal assistance.”

Disaster assistance to individuals could include grants to help pay for temporary housing needs, essential home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance or other sources. Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are also available for homeowners, renters and business owners to repair or replace real or personal property.

Click the link below to download a pdf flyer for distribution:
NR117_FEMAdeadlineExtended

“The recovery process doesn’t necessarily end with the initial determination,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Philip E. Parr. “Sometimes ineligibility may mean that more information is needed.”

If you believe you should be eligible for assistance or are dissatisfied with the amount you received, you may call FEMA’s Helpline for information on how to file an appeal. Specialists are available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. at 800-621-3362. Those with a speech disability or hearing loss who use a TTY may call 800-462-7585. Instructions for filing an appeal are also in the “Help After a Disaster” guide that FEMA sends to all who register for assistance.

Appeals must be made in writing and sent by mail or fax to FEMA within 60 days of receiving the letter of determination. The appeal letter should include new or missing information, documents and damage repair estimates that support the appeal request. It is also important to include your name, the address of your damaged home, your FEMA registration number and the number of the disaster (for example, DR-4020-NY or DR-4031-NY), which can be found in the letter you received from FEMA.

Mail appeals to:
FEMA-Appeals Officer
National Processing Service Center
P.O. Box 10055
Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055

Appeals may be faxed to: 1-800-827-8112.

Click here to download a pdf flyer for distribution:
NR048_FEMA_Appeal(V2)

Living through a natural disaster can be traumatic…If you have been affected by Hurricane Irene and suffering from stress, come learn some self-care practices that can help you and your family during these traumatic times.

Sr. Jerkowski is part of Capacitar International, a non-profit organization based in Santa Cruz, California. Its vision is to bring peace, healing and wholeness to our world. Capacitar is a Spanish word meaning to empower, to encourage, to bring each other to life.  (www.capacitar.org)

Capacitar is especially committed to people affected by domestic and political violence, poverty, HIV/AIDS and natural disasters, and currently works in 16 states in the U.S. and in 30 countries in the Americas, the Caribbean, Eastern and Southern Africa, Europe, and Asia Pacific.