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How to File a FEMA Claim
When a large-scale natural disaster occurs, such as a hurricane, earthquake, or wildfire, local and state resources can be depleted quickly. When this happens, the State’s Governor will request the President proclaim a Major Disaster Declaration which activates the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to begin distributing funds to those deemed eligible. Our experts can help immediately, with the experience and resources to mobilize quickly and begin working on your behalf to help qualify and obtain the maximum financial recovery for your property damage.
Damaged property must be in a federally declared disaster area.
- Find out if your property is in a declared area by going to FEMA’s website.
File a claim with your insurance company as well.
- Failure to report property damage to your insurance company can affect your eligibility for federal assistance from FEMA.
- FEMA does not cover insurance deductibles.
- FEMA cannot help pay for anything that your insurance will cover.
Prepare necessary information for the application process. You will need:
- Social Security Number
- Address of property that was damaged
- Current address (where you are living in the interim)
- Current/Working phone number
- Property insurance information (carrier, policy number, etc.)
- Total household income
- Routing and account information for checking/savings account
- Description of disaster-related damages and losses
Visit DisasterAssistance.gov to apply online or call 800.621.3362
- Upon completion, you will be given a FEMA claim number, write this down or store it safely (in your phone) as it will make future interactions easier.
Check the status of your FEMA application.
- Use the same method you applied with — online or by phone — within 24 hours.
- FEMA will mail you a copy of your application along with a detailed guide that walks you through the assistance process.
- If you have an e-mail account, you can log onto DisasterAssistance.gov and click on “Check Your Status.”
A FEMA Inspector will contact you within 10 to 14 days.
- The inspector will to set up a time to visit your property and inspect the damage.
- FEMA home inspections have no fee.
- You must be physically present at the time of the inspection.
- You must be able to provide the inspector proof of ownership and occupancy.
The FEMA inspector will then submit the report to FEMA.
- Reviews of inspections take about 10 days.
If you qualify, a check will be sent by mail or the money will be transferred into your checking or savings account along with a letter explaining how you are to use the funds.
- FEMA funds are tax-free and do not have to be repaid.
- Amount of assistance relies on how much damage your state has reported, among other factors.
Disaster Recovery Today is offered free of charge as a public service by our team of experts. Within its pages is the knowledge gained from years of study and field experience that has made our professionals recognized specialists in FEMA’s Public Assistance program. We have assisted recipients and applicants with virtually all stages of recovery from planning to closeout, and are pleased to be able to share this expertise and insight from a non-FEMA perspective.
Read IssuesDisaster Planning — 9 Steps to a Successful Recovery
Following a declared disaster, organizations need to implement a well thought out recovery approach. We have identified nine key steps to a successful recovery under FEMA’s Public Assistance Program.
The first step after a declared disaster is to develop a management approach. An “ad-hoc” recovery team needs to be created, roles and responsibilities delineated, and a well-organized filing approach must be established to handle the many projects.
Determine your losses beginning with your cleanup and emergency response. Then building, equipment and supplies losses must be quantified “as it was” and “as it has to be.” Lost revenues and temporary relocation costs need to be calculated as well.
Categorize the losses: FEMA categories A-G, insured/uninsured, responsibility of OFA, and special considerations.
Determine eligibility. General eligibility requirements include the following: it needs to be required as the result of the event; it must be caused by the event (no pre-existing damage); it must be located within the designated disaster area; and it must be the legal responsibility of an eligible applicant.
Develop a rebuilding plan. The applicant needs to consider the recovery “as they want it to be” considering whether to replace or relocate certain buildings, fixtures or infrastructure. The mitigation approach is outlined in Section 406 and Section 404 of The Stafford Act. Categorization of anticipated insurance proceeds also needs to be well documented.
Develop a funding approach. These can be broken down into the following: Standard Project, Alternate Project, Improved Project or in special circumstances the Grant Acceleration Program.
Implement the plan. Implementation involves the development of applicable project worksheets and proposals and the completion of approved projects.
Final inspection and closeout. This includes the state audit of all large projects, dispute resolution, re-evaluation of applicable insurance reductions and the acquisition and maintenance of adequate insurance if reasonable and practical.
The audit process. FEMA’s Office of the Inspector General often selects subrecipient for program and financial audits. This can occur any time throughout the process; up to three years from the completion of all projects.
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Have Helped
Severe storms dumped massive amounts of rain in the Southern Tier of New York State in the summer of 2006, resulting in widespread flooding.
When Hurricane Katrina struck, bringing with it widespread flooding and damage, the City of Slidell took the brunt of the storm. Located just 30 miles north of New Orleans, the two cities were both hit full-force by the destructive power of the hurricane. Unfortunately for Slidell, the nation first focused on the recovery of New Orleans. The City of Slidell didn't begin its recovery operations under Adjusters International had been hired, bringing the expertise required to turn the recovery process around.
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