FEMA Cautions Against Duplication Of Benefits 

Release Date: December 29, 2007
Release Number: 1734-024

» More Information on Washington Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides

Duplication of benefits occurs when an individual or family receives an identical item or service from more then one source. Federal and state agencies are prohibited from duplicating benefits with insurance and/or other public or private agencies. There are safeguards in place to avoid duplication of benefits. Recipients who receive benefits twice for the same item risk having to pay some or all back.

When disaster victims apply for aid they sign a form agreeing to use any funds awarded appropriately. This means funds will be spent on recovering from the flood as specified in the letter from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

To avoid duplication of benefits, flood victims who apply for assistance from FEMA, are asked if they have insurance that covers the loss. If their property is covered by insurance, they cannot receive FEMA assistance for anything the insurance covers. For this reason, they will be asked to submit a copy of the insurance settlement or denial letter in writing before they are eligible for FEMA assistance.

When a FEMA inspector looks at a property, he verifies the source of any new appliances or building materials. If the owners have a receipt showing that they paid for the appliances or materials, they could be eligible for reimbursement from FEMA. If the items were donated to them, the inspector will note that they no longer have a need in this area, and they will not receive assistance for those items.

“Often, the cost of re-building a damaged house far exceeds the maximum FEMA award, as specified by law,” said FEMA’s Deputy Federal Coordinating Officer Willie Nunn. “Save all receipts documenting how the FEMA funds were spent. Then there should be no possibility of having to pay back government funds.”

If flood victims receive donated items and have questions about whether they fall into benefits already received from a federal or state agency, they should call the agency’s Helpline and ask.

FEMA Helpline: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)

SBA Helpline: 1-800-659-2955

ONA (State of Washington Other Needs Assistance) Helpline: 1-800-688-3469

People impacted by the floods of December need help from everyone able to give it. However, recipients of disaster assistance must take care not to receive benefits for the same items from more than one source.

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: Monday, 31-Dec-2007 09:57:56