Insured Evacuees Should Still Register With FEMA
Release Date: October 10, 2005
Release Number: 3229-007
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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Evacuees with insurance who were affected by Hurricanes Katrina or Rita should still register for assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Even insured individuals may be eligible for several types of disaster assistance.
Although FEMA assistance cannot pay deductibles or duplicate what insurance already covers, it may supplement insurance coverage. For example, disaster assistance grants could help pay for:
- temporary housing if that is not an insured benefit
- items that are uninsurable
- the costs of returning to one's home
- other serious disaster-related needs
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) also offers low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters and business owners.
Call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1‑800‑462‑7585 , or go online at www.fema.gov t o register with FEMA. Those with insurance should call again after receiving their insurance settlement to update your information. Applicants will be asked to submit proof of the settlement.
In the interim, applicants can call the same numbers and select option #2 to learn the status of their application, or option #3 to get answers to their questions about federal assistance.
People who have insurance and have applied for assistance may receive a letter from FEMA telling them they are not eligible at this time because they are insured. People who get a letter denying assistance because of insurance should consider calling FEMA again at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) after their insurance claim is settled. Those not satisfied with FEMA's decision on their application, can file a written appeal to FEMA Appeals Officer, National Processing Service Center , P.O. Box 10055 Hyattsville , Md. 20782 .
FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Thursday, 09-Feb-2006 09:43:15