Picking Up The Pieces After Wilma
About the post-hurricane inspection process
Release Date: November 16, 2005
Release Number: 1609-022
» More Information on Florida Hurricane Wilma
ORLANDO, Fla. -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency's Individuals and Households Program (IHP) provides money and services to people in disaster areas when property has been damaged or destroyed and when losses are not covered by insurance. IHP could provide money to rent a different place to live, to help replace a destroyed home, to make minimal repairs to your home, and to cover necessary expenses and serious needs caused by the disaster, such as medical, dental, funeral and transportation expenses.
Currently, residents of Brevard, Broward, Collier, Glades, Hendry, Indian River, Lee, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe , Okeechobee, Palm Beach , and St. Lucie counties affected by Hurricane Wilma may be eligible for disaster assistance. Those in the counties designated for assistance to affected residents and business owners can begin the disaster application process by registering online at www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired.
What happens after I apply for help with FEMA?
As soon as possible after you apply for assistance from FEMA, a qualified inspector will contact you to set up a time to see the damage to your property that was caused by the hurricane. Ask to see ID all FEMA inspectors wear a current photo identification badge. An inspector first examines any structural damage to your house, then assesses damage to appliances, such as the washer, dryer, refrigerator and stove. The inspector also reports serious needs, such as lost or damaged clothing. Homeowners should identify all known damages and tell the inspector if they have a septic system or a well.
Inspectors do not determine any dollar amounts for assistance. They look at reported damage and document it. Your losses will be recorded and submitted for consideration by FEMA. You will be asked to sign a document saying that you or someone in your household was a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national or qualified alien at the time of the disaster. You will need to present identification. To determine eligibility, property owners should be able to show proof of ownership and occupancy to the inspector. The home must be your primary residence. Renters also need to show proof of occupancy.
Within approximately 10 more days, FEMA will decide if you qualify for assistance. If you have been referred for a disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), SBA will also contact you and schedule an appointment to review your disaster-related losses.
If you get an SBA Disaster Loan application in the mail, you must complete and return the application to be considered for a loan as well as certain types of grant assistance. SBA representatives are available at Disaster Recovery Centers to help you with the application. If the SBA finds that you do not qualify for a loan, they will automatically refer you to FEMA's Individual and Households grant program for help. If the SBA approves you for a loan, they will contact you. If the SBA finds that you cannot afford a loan and refers your case, FEMA will contact you.
How do I contact the inspector if he/she called me but I missed the call?
The FEMA inspectors are out on inspections most days and cannot be reached while they are inspecting a home. You should wait for the FEMA inspector to call you again. The FEMA inspectors will try to call you three times to arrange an appointment to inspect your property. Inspectors will call your current phone contact and alternate number if you have given one. If any of your contact information has changed, call 1-800-621-3362 to update the information.
How long will it take to get FEMA disaster help?
If you are eligible for assistance, you should receive a U.S. Treasury check or notification of a deposit to your bank account within about 10 days of the inspector's visit. Other types of help may be provided later, based on specific eligibility and need. FEMA will also send you a letter describing how you are to use the money (for example: repairs to your home or to rent another place to live while you make repairs). If FEMA decides that you do not qualify for a grant, FEMA will send you a letter explaining why you were turned down and give you a chance to appeal the decision. Appeals must be in writing and mailed within 60 days of FEMA's decision.
I have insurance. I understand that I must first work through my insurance claim and provide FEMA with a decision letter (settlement or denial) from my insurance company before FEMA issues an inspection. But my insurance company told me it would be weeks before they come to see my damages. Can FEMA help?
If a decision on your insurance settlement has been delayed longer than 30 days from the time you filed the claim, you may be eligible for an insurance advancement from FEMA. These funds are considered a loan and must be repaid to FEMA once you receive your settlement from your insurance company. Contact FEMA if your insurance settlement is delayed. FEMA will send you a Request for Advancement and Signature letter. You must complete and return this letter before FEMA can evaluate your request for assistance.
There is an exception for damages caused by flooding; if you have flood insurance, FEMA will issue an inspection before receiving a copy of your flood insurance decision letter to evaluate your eligibility for temporary living expenses because temporary living expenses are not covered by flood insurance.
The State Emergency Response Team (SERT) is a collaboration of Florida 's state agencies led by the state coordinating officer. SERT's mission is to ensure that Florida is prepared to respond to emergencies, recover from them, and mitigate their impacts. Visit www.floridadisaster.org for the latest information on the hurricane relief efforts.
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. For more information visit www.fema.gov.
Last Modified: Thursday, 17-Nov-2005 09:25:28