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Thursday
March 18, 2010 Since 1922 |
Clock ticking for those needing FEMA’s help
By Kari Griffin
Baytown Sun Published November 4, 2008 Many Hurricane Ike victims still need help. And when it comes to getting it, many of them still don’t have all the answers.
More than six weeks have passed since disaster struck local communities, and victims should be aware that time for applying for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance is running out.
The deadline for home owners, business owners and renters to apply for FEMA assistance is Nov. 12. This is also the deadline to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA).
“Anyone affected by Hurricane Ike is encouraged to apply with FEMA,” FEMA spokeswoman Rita Egan said.
The application process asks for information regarding housing needs, she said. Applicants are encouraged to keep FEMA informed with updated phone numbers, for those who have moved, anything applicants forgot to mention during the application process and to call in for updates.“At this stage, the most important thing is, if you haven’t heard from us or if something has changed, call in,” Egan said. “Stay in touch with FEMA.”
Out of the 715,120 applications relieved by FEMA, 368,570 were from Harris County and 7,857 came out of Chambers County.
So far, FEMA has distributed $324 million, $88 million of which was in Harris County and $10.5 million that went to Chambers County.
FEMA has given out $1 million in DUA for Hurricane Ike and the Small Business Administration (SBA) has provided $157 million in loans.
FEMA has also completed 358,000 inspections.
Egan said FEMA offers options for disaster victims, but does not make decisions regarding applications. FEMA also does not decide what assistance each area receives.
“The declaration process is done on a county level,” Egan said. “FEMA comes to an affected area at the behest of the state and through the state into the local county.”
Of all the issues facing Ike victims, housing is at the top of FEMA’s priority list.
“We have several programs in place to provide temporary housing solutions,” Egan said.
These include temporary rental assistance, manufactured housing and the DHAP-IKE Program, a joint program between FEMA and Housing and Urban Development.
FEMA looks at the housing issue by county rather than by city, Egan said.
From Chambers County, FEMA received 7,857 applications.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) began implementing its temporary disaster housing program to assist families displaced by Hurricanes Ike and Gustav on Nov. 1. In anticipation of the start date, FEMA gave the names of more than 6,500 eligible families to HUD, which will provide temporary housing assistance until March of 2010.
Not all Ike victims are eligible for FEMA housing or other assistance, but they won’t know for sure unless they register. Victims should register event if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but under-insured applicants may receive help after their insurance claims have been settled.
Efforts to quicken the pace on the installation of manufactured homes are progressing, in part through the help of many city and county officials in the hardest-hit areas.
FEMA is asking local authorities to sign waiver letters authorizing the agency to install temporary manufactured homes on the 100-year floodplain in the four hardest-hit counties, as well as several adjacent counties. In some cases, FEMA is working with local communities to relax certain electrical permitting requirements.
Who to call
• The number for FEMA is 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)
• Anyone who is speech or hearing impaired should call 1-800-462-7585.
• People can also apply for assistance online at www.FEMA.gov by clicking on “Apply for Assistance.”
• To apply for DUA call (800) 939-6631 or apply online at http://www.texasworkforce.org or e-mail the Texas Workforce Commission at UIHelp(at)twc.state.tx.us.
• Those seeking DUA should specify that their claim is disaster related.
Baytown Sun Published November 4, 2008 Many Hurricane Ike victims still need help. And when it comes to getting it, many of them still don’t have all the answers.
More than six weeks have passed since disaster struck local communities, and victims should be aware that time for applying for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance is running out.
The deadline for home owners, business owners and renters to apply for FEMA assistance is Nov. 12. This is also the deadline to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA).
“Anyone affected by Hurricane Ike is encouraged to apply with FEMA,” FEMA spokeswoman Rita Egan said.
The application process asks for information regarding housing needs, she said. Applicants are encouraged to keep FEMA informed with updated phone numbers, for those who have moved, anything applicants forgot to mention during the application process and to call in for updates.“At this stage, the most important thing is, if you haven’t heard from us or if something has changed, call in,” Egan said. “Stay in touch with FEMA.”
Out of the 715,120 applications relieved by FEMA, 368,570 were from Harris County and 7,857 came out of Chambers County.
So far, FEMA has distributed $324 million, $88 million of which was in Harris County and $10.5 million that went to Chambers County.
FEMA has given out $1 million in DUA for Hurricane Ike and the Small Business Administration (SBA) has provided $157 million in loans.
FEMA has also completed 358,000 inspections.
Egan said FEMA offers options for disaster victims, but does not make decisions regarding applications. FEMA also does not decide what assistance each area receives.
“The declaration process is done on a county level,” Egan said. “FEMA comes to an affected area at the behest of the state and through the state into the local county.”
Of all the issues facing Ike victims, housing is at the top of FEMA’s priority list.
“We have several programs in place to provide temporary housing solutions,” Egan said.
These include temporary rental assistance, manufactured housing and the DHAP-IKE Program, a joint program between FEMA and Housing and Urban Development.
FEMA looks at the housing issue by county rather than by city, Egan said.
From Chambers County, FEMA received 7,857 applications.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) began implementing its temporary disaster housing program to assist families displaced by Hurricanes Ike and Gustav on Nov. 1. In anticipation of the start date, FEMA gave the names of more than 6,500 eligible families to HUD, which will provide temporary housing assistance until March of 2010.
Not all Ike victims are eligible for FEMA housing or other assistance, but they won’t know for sure unless they register. Victims should register event if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but under-insured applicants may receive help after their insurance claims have been settled.
Efforts to quicken the pace on the installation of manufactured homes are progressing, in part through the help of many city and county officials in the hardest-hit areas.
FEMA is asking local authorities to sign waiver letters authorizing the agency to install temporary manufactured homes on the 100-year floodplain in the four hardest-hit counties, as well as several adjacent counties. In some cases, FEMA is working with local communities to relax certain electrical permitting requirements.
Who to call
• The number for FEMA is 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)
• Anyone who is speech or hearing impaired should call 1-800-462-7585.
• People can also apply for assistance online at www.FEMA.gov by clicking on “Apply for Assistance.”
• To apply for DUA call (800) 939-6631 or apply online at http://www.texasworkforce.org or e-mail the Texas Workforce Commission at UIHelp(at)twc.state.tx.us.
• Those seeking DUA should specify that their claim is disaster related.