FEMA Determination Letter May Indicate Need for Additional Information
Release Date: July 15, 2008
Release Number: 1771-021
» More Information on Illinois Severe Storms and Flooding
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Illinois homeowners and renters who received a determination letter from the Federal Emergency Management Agency may need to provide insurance information or additional documentation to continue the assistance process, according to state and federal officials.
By law, FEMA cannot duplicate financial assistance that is paid by insurance agencies or other organizations. Therefore, an applicant who has filed an insurance claim, but has not yet settled that claim, may receive a determination letter advising them they are ineligible for assistance. Once the applicant's insurance claim is settled, that amount must be reported to FEMA and documentation faxed or mailed so the application can continue to be processed.
Anyone in the 18-county disaster-declared area who has suffered damage from the June 1 and continuing severe storms and flooding should apply with FEMA for assistance whether they have settled an insurance claim or not. The general rule to follow is, first call FEMA to register at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Hearing- or speech-impaired applicants should call TTY 1-800-462-7585. Once an applicant obtains an insurance claim number from their insurance company, then that information should be faxed to FEMA at 1-800-827-8112.
Other circumstances may arise that may make an applicant eligible for more assistance. For instance, if an applicant was given money to repair a furnace and a contractor said it was beyond repair and must be replaced, the applicant should contact FEMA with the actual cost of replacement. Also, when a contractor begins an estimate for repairs and additional damages come to light, that information should be supplied to FEMA as well.
Applicants who were denied Housing Assistance or Other Needs Assistance under FEMA's Individuals and Households Program have 60 days from the date of their determination letter to appeal the decision. All appeals must be submitted in writing.
In their appeal letters, applicants should explain why they think the decision about the amount or type of assistance they received is not correct. They should provide an estimate if possible, and specific examples, such as areas including electrical, plumbing, floors, walls, ceilings they feel were not addressed in the inspection process.
The applicant, or someone who represents the applicant or their household, should sign the letter. If the person writing the letter is not a member of the household, there must be a signed statement saying that the writer may act on the applicant's behalf.
Appeal letters should include the applicant's FEMA disaster registration identification number and the federal disaster declaration number, which, in this case, would be DR-1771-IL. The appeal letter should be address to:
FEMA - Individuals & Households Program
National Processing Service Center
P.O. Box 10055
Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055
Letters along with estimates and other supporting documentation also can be faxed with a cover sheet addressed to: Attention: FEMA - Individuals & Households Program.
For more information about a FEMA appeal, call the FEMA helpline at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for speech- or hearing-impaired applicants.
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: Wednesday, 16-Jul-2008 08:15:04