Understanding Reasons For Ineligibility And Dealing With Expectations
Release Date: October 6, 2008
Release Number: 1791-085
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AUSTIN, Texas -- A letter stating a person is ineligible for disaster assistance may not be the final word on an application with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The reasons can vary as to why ineligibility can be appealed. For instance, during repairs applicants may discover that additional emergency repairs are needed that now could make them eligible or possibly increase the FEMA grant amount they were initially awarded. Or renters who find upon returning that their residence is now uninhabitable.
If a FEMA applicant finds that the circumstances at the time of the initial registration have changed, they can appeal the initial decision. The process is not limited to emergency home repair. An applicant may appeal any FEMA decision with additional information to substantiate the appeal.
Submitting repair estimates, receipts, statements or invoices is essential to being considered for an effective appeal or to request an increase in the FEMA grant award. This additional information could overcome an ineligibility determination initially based on a variety of reasons, including:
- Insurance coverage.
- Insufficient storm-related damage.
- Lack of insurance information needed to complete the assistance evaluation process.
- Confusion about social security numbers, addresses or phone numbers.
Following the steps below will assure that the applicant's appeal is acted upon promptly and properly.
All appeals must be in writing. Applicants should explain why they think the decision is not correct. The applicant or someone who represents the applicant should sign the letter. Applicants should include their six-digit FEMA registration number on each page of their letter and on their documentation. If the person writing the letter is not a member of their household, the appeal should include a signed statement from the applicant affirming that the person may act on their behalf.
The appeal can be personally submitted at a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). If unable to visit a DRC, the applicant can mail or fax the appeal letter. It is important that the letter include a phone number as well as an alternate phone number where the applicant can be reached in addition to a correct mailing address. In any case, the appeal letter must be personally submitted, postmarked, or received by fax within 60 days of the date on the decision letter. Retaining a copy of the appeal letter as a record is encouraged.
Appeal letters should be mailed to:
FEMA – Individuals & Households Program
National Processing Service Center
P.O. Box 10055
Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055
Fax the appeal letter to:
1-800-827-8112
Attention:
FEMA – Individuals & Households Program
Disaster assistance may include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repair and other serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance or other sources.
Applicants ineligible for FEMA assistance may still be eligible for other programs such as Disaster Unemployment Assistance or help from nonprofit organizations.
The U.S. Small Business Administration also offers low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations.
- Homeowners may apply to borrow up to $200,000 - with interest rates as low as 2.875 percent - for the repair or replacement of their primary residence not fully compensated by insurance.
- Homeowners and renters may apply to borrow up to $40,000 - with interest rates as low as 2.875
percent - to replace personal property. - Businesses and nonprofits may apply to borrow up to $2 million - with interest rates as low as 4.000 percent - for the following:
- Loans to repair damage to real estate, machinery, equipment, inventory and supplies.
- Economic injury loans (for small businesses only) to help provide working capital to recover from the disaster's economic impact.
Collateral is not required for physical loss loans of $14,000 or less and economic loans of $5,000 or less.
To begin the assistance process, residents can register at www.fema.gov or by calling FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 1-800-462-7585, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Applicants can get guidance on the appeals issue at any DRC or by calling FEMA's Helpline at the same numbers.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 08-Oct-2008 22:19:29