FEMA Denial Letters May Not Be The Last Word
Release Date: April 12, 2006
Release Number: 1606-187
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AUSTIN, Texas -- Some Hurricanes Katrina and/or Rita disaster survivors who received denial letters informing them of ineligibility from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) can follow an appeal process.
In many cases, these letters may not be the last word. Sometimes a denial simply means that more information may be needed before a complete analysis and decision can be made. Applicants also may have received denial letters if they registered with FEMA before their counties were officially declared as disaster areas. In that case, the FEMA processing system would have created an automatic letter telling them that they were ineligible because they don't live in a designated disaster area.
Another instance could include cases where insurance settlements had been delayed. Once the insurance claim is settled, applicants with unmet disaster-related needs should contact FEMA to determine if additional assistance is available to them.
If your application for assistance was denied, guidelines for appeals can be found in the Help After A Disaster, Applicant's Guide To The Individuals & Households Program handbook sent to everyone who registers with FEMA. An explanation of the reasons for a denial also can be found in this booklet.
"Applicants who wish to appeal a decision may do so in writing within 60 days from the date of the decision or date of the denial letter, and other forms of assistance may be available," said Federal Coordinating Officer Sandy Coachman, FEMA's top field official for disaster recovery in Texas. If you have further questions about your case, please call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585.
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: Tuesday, 16-May-2006 12:34:29