Understanding Eligibility For Federal Disaster Assistance
Release Date: October 14, 2004
Release Number: 1549-051
» More Information on Alabama Hurricane Ivan
MOBILE, Ala. -- Alabama residents who have applied for disaster assistance from the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to recover from Hurricane Ivan may have some questions about the letter they receive from FEMA.
Specifically, applicants may receive denial letters declaring them ineligible for FEMA disaster assistance for reasons that can include: adequate insurance coverage; secondary homes; rental properties; inability to prove occupancy or ownership; unfinished paperwork, or failure to fill out and return the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) application. Sometimes this denial may simply mean that more information is needed before the analysis can be completed.
Applicants who receive a denial letter from FEMA declaring them ineligible because of insurance, may be eligible later if their insurance settlement does not cover their necessary expenses and serious needs. Some uninsurable items such as access roads and bridges or water and sewer systems may be eligible, for example. The applicant should contact their insurance company and request a settlement letter that details exactly what is covered under their claim.
The applicant should mail insurance settlement information, as well as any new or additional information realized since the initial application for disaster assistance was filed, to the address provided in the letter from FEMA.
Residents with questions or concerns about how a private insurance carrier has responded to hurricane damage claims should contact the Alabama Department of Insurance at 800 433-3966.
"Funds are available to assist those with uninsured or underinsured losses caused by the disaster, but we cannot duplicate benefits," explains Federal Coordinating Officer Michael Hall.
Applicants who wish to appeal a decision may do so in writing within 60 days of the date of the decision or date of the denial letter. Guidelines for appeals can be found in the Applicant’s Handbook sent to everyone who registers with FEMA.
If FEMA determines an applicant is not eligible for a grant, he or she may still be eligible for other services such as a low-interest loan from the SBA, Disaster Unemployment Assistance, crisis counseling, legal and tax assistance, or one of the many other programs designed to help disaster victims.
For additional guidance on this process, or any other questions applicants have about their disaster assistance application, they may call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
The U.S. Small business Administration (SBA) is on site as the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts, and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. SBA disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries.
On October 2, 2004, President Bush declared a major disaster for New Jersey, opening the way for the use of federal disaster funds to help people and communities recover from the effects of Tropical Depression Ivan. Residents in Hunterdon, Mercer, Sussex and Warren counties with damages from the storm are eligible to apply for federal and state aid.
Last Modified: Thursday, 14-Oct-2004 13:38:30