FEMA Assistance Denial Still Offers Options For Appeal
Release Date: March 23, 2006
Release Number: 1604-291
» More Information on Mississippi Hurricane Katrina
BILOXI, Miss. -- Applicants who have received a letter in the last 60 days stating they are ineligible for FEMA disaster aid may not be out of options. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is reminding Mississippi disaster victims that they should follow up on their cases to determine what assistance may be available.
“Some applicants might have been denied because they were considered covered by insurance when they filed,” said Nick Russo, federal coordinating officer for the Mississippi disaster recovery. “In these cases, they wouldn’t qualify until their insurance claims were settled first. Depending on the amount they receive from their insurance companies, they could qualify for additional federal assistance.”
By law, FEMA cannot provide financial assistance for losses covered by insurance or pay deductibles. If an insurance settlement has been delayed longer than 30 days from filing for federal assistance, applicants can contact FEMA to provide documentation showing that an insurance claim was filed. Once the insurance claim has been settled, applicants with unmet disaster-related needs should contact FEMA to determine if additional assistance is available to them.
Applicants may appeal a denial by writing a letter explaining why they disagree with the decision. They should:
- Include their FEMA registration number and the Hurricane Katrina disaster number—1604—in the letter of appeal.
- Mail the appeal letter to:
FEMA – Individuals & Households Program
National Processing Service Center
P.O. Box 10055
Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055 - Or fax to 1-800-827-8112
- Appeals must be made within 60 days of the date on the letter of denial.
- All appeals are reviewed.
- Decisions are usually rendered within 30 days.
- Applicants are notified by mail of the response to the appeal.
More information on the appeals process is available in the Applicant’s Guide to the Individuals and Households Program Manual (mailed to applicants upon registration) or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the speech- or hearing-impaired.
Low-interest disaster loans may be available through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for home owners, renters and businesses of any size.
For those seeking disaster assistance, it is important to apply now. The deadline to apply for FEMA disaster assistance or a low-interest SBA Disaster loan is April 10, 2006.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Thursday, 23-Mar-2006 16:47:26