Disaster Assistance Process Overview

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Disaster assistanceprocess overviewTable of ContentsMade possible by a grant from theWalmart FoundationKey Assistance Sources . 2Overview of Insurance &Federal Assistance Processes . 3Funding Sources . 5How to File a Flood Insurance Claim . 6How to Register for FEMA Assistance . 8How to Appeal a FEMA Decision . 11How to Apply for a Disaster Loan from SBA . 13SBPUSA.org1

Disaster assistanceprocess overviewMade possible by a grant from theWalmart FoundationA guide through the post-disasterrecovery process.At SBP, our goal is to shorten recovery time and eliminate unnecessary suffering byhelping those affected by disasters to rebuild efficiently.This guide is one way we can help. We’ve outlined key sources of financial assistance,technical details of the application process, and steps you’ll take to move efficientlythrough the process. Having been involved in many large-scale disaster recoveries, wewill also share tips and advice we’ve learned along the way.Maximizing your disaster assistance can seem a complicated process to undertakeduring an already difficult time. Understanding the programs and engaging proactivelycan help you access the maximum assistance you are eligible for. We hope this guidehelps you take full advantage of the help that’s available, and speeds you along the roadto a predictable recovery.KEY ASSISTANCE SOURCESHOMEOWNERS/RENTERS INSURANCEFEMAIf you have homeowners or renters insurance, this provides you funds torepair or replace property damaged as a result of covered perils during adisaster. Additional types of insurance, such as auto or other peril-specificpolicies like earthquake coverage, may also be relevant to your recovery.NFIPNational Flood Insurance ProgramThis federal program provides flood insurance protection to participatingproperty owners, renters and businesses.SBATIPSSmall Business AdministrationDisaster Home and Property Loan ProgramSBA, in addition to serving businesses, offers disaster loans that qualifiedhomeowners and renters can use to repair or replace homes and damagedpersonal property.YOU ARE YOUR OWNBEST ADVOCATEBe as detailed as possible about allof your disaster losses. You cannotget assistance for losses and needsthat your insurance company, FEMAor SBA do not know about.Federal Emergency Management AgencyThe federal agency that assists state and local governments in carrying outtheir responsibilities to aid citizens after disaster. FEMA administers manyprograms that support public and household recovery, including:Individuals and Households Program (IHP)IHP provides financial aid and/or direct services to eligible individualsand households affected by disaster who have necessary expenses andserious needs not covered by insurance. It may include: Housing AssistanceFunds and/or direct housing services for unmet disaster-causedhousing needs. Other Needs Assistance (ONA)Funds for other eligible, unmet disaster-caused expenses andserious needs. Only applicants who do not qualify for a loan fromthe SBA may be eligible for certain types of ONA.KNOW YOU CAN APPEALIf you believe the amount suggested bythe insurance adjuster is too low basedon your policy; if you disagree with ordo not understand a decision madeabout your federal disaster assistanceeligibility—you can and should appeal.DOCUMENT EVERYTHINGTake pictures of damages,keep copies of all forms andcommunications. Sometimes thingscan get lost in the shuffle during therecovery process and it is extremelyhelpful to have backups.SBPUSA.org2

INSURANCEYou’ve been through adisaster. Now what?DO YOU HAVE HOMEOWNERS,RENTERS OR FLOOD (NFIP)INSURANCE COVERAGE FORYOUR DISASTER-CAUSEDLOSSES?Three major funding sources—insurance, FEMA assistance grantsand SBA disaster loans—are where tostart for financial help.After contacting yourinsurance provider(s),register with FEMA fordisaster assistance.YESGo directly to FEMA toregister for disasterassistance.NOHomeowners/Renters InsuranceFlood (NFIP) InsuranceDocument damage covered by your policyCall your agent ASAPGet an inspectionReceive settlement amount offerDocument damage covered by your policyCall your agent ASAP (ideally within 10 days)Get an inspectionReceive settlement amount offerSATISFIED WITH SETTLEMENT OFFER?TIPSYESNOYESNOAccept andapply funds toyour recoveryas appropriate.You cannegotiate ORfile an appealto FEMA.Everyone impacted by the disastershould register with FEMA, whetheror not you have insurance.If you do have insurance, you will workthrough the insurance claims andfederal assistance processes at thesame time.Accept andapply funds toyour recoveryas appropriate.You cannegotiate.SBPUSA.org3

STARTWITHFEMAFEMASBAREGISTER ASAPIn addition to FEMA assistance, youmay also be referred to the SBA toapply for a disaster loanCompleteloanapplicationFEMA MAY ALSO REFER YOUYou will receive a decisionletter about your eligibilityfor assistanceFEMA REVIEWS YOUR CASEYOU MAY BE OFFEREDELIGIBLEHousing AssistanceNOTELIGIBLEYou will be notifiedabout the decision onyour eligibility for a loanELIGIBLESBA REVIEWS YOUR CASENOTELIGIBLENOYou cansubmit anappeal.Do you chooseto accept theloan?Non-SBA DependentNOFinancial assistance for some types ofother needs as eligible (such as medical,dental, child care, funeral expenses)YESYESDOES THE ASSISTANCEMEET YOUR NEEDS?Apply funds toyour recoveryaccording tothe terms of theassistance.Other Needs AssistanceSBA DependentFinancial assistance for some additionaltypes of other needs as eligible (such aspersonal property, transportation, moving& storage expenses)You may request a loanreconsideration.If you do not qualify for anSBA loan, FEMA will evaluateyour eligibility for additionalassistance.Financial and/or directassistance for eligible housingneeds NOT covered by insuranceOther Needs AssistanceSBA will conduct acredit review andmay inspect propertydamageYOU MAY BE OFFEREDApply funds toyour recoveryaccording tothe terms of theloan.You are under noobligation to accept.But whether you acceptthe loan offer or not,qualifying for a loanmakes you ineligiblefor some types of FEMAOther Needs Assistance.FEMA REVIEWS YOUR CASETIPSFEMA will scheduleand conduct a propertyinspection, generally within10 days of registrationFill out only ONE disasterassistance applicationper household; multipleapplications can slowthe process.Wait until referred byFEMA to complete anSBA loan application.SBPUSA.org4

Funding SourcesIf you’ve been impacted by a majordisaster, these are three main fundingsources that may help your recovery.INSURANCEHomeowners/Renters, Flood (NFIP), Auto, Other TypesIf you have insurance (homeowners/renters, flood,auto, other types), filing a claim for covered lossesis your first resource for funds to repair or replacedamaged property and address other covereddisaster- related expenses. Federal disasterassistance legally cannot provide funds fordisaster losses that are covered by insurance.WHAT IT COVERSDepending on the terms and limits of yourpolicies:Funds to repair/replace covered losses tohome and propertyFunds for additional living expenses if youare displaced from your home for repairsOther disaster-related needs as covered inyour policyFEMAIndividuals & Households Program (IHP)FEMA’s Individuals & Households Program(IHP) provides financial help and/or directassistance to eligible individuals andhouseholds for disaster-caused needs notcovered by insurance. Even if you do not haveinsurance, you may be eligible for assistance.Some types of assistance are dependent on theability to qualify for a loan from the SBA. Notethat IHP is designed to help meet essentialneeds and bring homes back to a safe, livablecondition, not a pre-disaster condition. Allhouseholds impacted by the disaster shouldregister with FEMA.WHAT IT COVERSEligible disaster-caused needs NOT covered byinsurance (up to 34K in total). May include:Housing AssistanceFinancial assistance (rental assistance,lodging expenses, home repair orreplacement)Direct housing servicesOther Needs AssistanceNon-SBA dependent: assistance formedical, dental, childcare, funeral and othereligible misc. expensesSBA-dependent: assistance for repair/replacement of personal property, vehicleand transportation costs, and moving andstorage expensesSBADisaster Loans – Home & PropertyThe Small Business Administration (SBA)’sDisaster Home & Property Loans programprovides assistance to eligible homeownersand renters in a declared disaster area in theform of low-interest, long-term loans for lossesnot fully covered by insurance or other means.You do not need to own a business--loansare available for homeowners and renters.WHAT IT COVERSLow interest, long term loan funds to help:Repair/replace damaged primary residence(up to 200K)Repair/replace damaged personal property(up to 40K)Being evaluated for SBA loan eligibility is a necessarystep in the process to determine if you are eligible forsome other types of disaster assistance.SBPUSA.org5

Getting DisasterAssistance:File a Flood Insurance Claim through theNational Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)WHAT WILL HAPPENFLOOD1. DOCUMENT &INSURANCECONTACTCLAIMS PROCESS:2. DAMAGEINSPECTIONDOCUMENT & CONTACT3. DETERMINE CLAIMSETTLEMENT4. APPLY FORADDITIONAL IFNEEDEDContact your NFIP insurance agent to start the claims process for flooddamages. For damage caused by other perils, contact the appropriateagent for your homeowners/renters, auto, or other insurance policy.If you disagree with amount suggested, you can work with the adjuster,your insurance company and FEMA to reach a higher dollar amount forcovered losses that you can agree on.REQUIRED DOCUMENTSTHE FINE PRINTPolicy number(s) and insurance company infoDocumentation on damaged property, such as receipts, contractors’estimates & photosKEY TERMSFlood: (NFIP definition) a general and temporarycondition where two or more acres of normallydry land, or two or more properties, areinundated by overflow of inland or tidal water,unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff ofsurface water, or mudflowPeril: the cause of loss or damage; flooding is a peril that is excludedfrom homeowner/renter insurance coverage; NFIP policies are separateinsurance specifically for the peril of floodingProof of Loss: the form, and supporting documentation, that apolicyholder signs and submits to the insurance company to make aclaim for covered lossesAppeal: To request a reversal or new decision be made on your behalfTHE BASICSIf you suffered damages as a result of flooding and you have floodinsurance, contact your NFIP agent as soon as possible to report losses.A claims adjuster will be assigned to work with you to inspect damagesand determine a dollar amount for your covered losses.Flood insurance and homeowners/renters insurance are different.Homeowners and renters insurance do not cover flooding. Floodinsurance only covers qualifying losses due to flooding; it does notcover damages occurring at the same time as a result of other perils,such as wind-driven rain through roofs or broken windows. Contact yourhomeowners/renters insurance company to report damages caused byperils other than flooding.There are two types of flood insurance coverage: building propertyand personal property (also called “contents”). You must havepurchased both building AND contents coverage for both your home andpossessions to be covered. Coverage is limited in basements andcrawl spaces.Building property: your home and the equipment used to run yourhome, like HVAC and built-in appliances. Insured at replacement costvalue, according to the terms and limits of your coverage. This is thecost to replace damaged parts of the home.Personal property/contents: your possessions, like furniture,clothes and electronics. Insured at actual cash value, according to theterms and limits of your coverage. This is the value of the item at thetime of loss, minus depreciation—as things age or wear over time, theyare generally worth less than when originally purchased, so you willreceive less insurance money for them.The complete Proof of Loss, along with supporting documentation, mustbe sent to your insurance company within 60 days of the date of loss.SBPUSA.org6

Getting DisasterAssistance:File a Flood Insurance Claim through theNational Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)(Continued)THE FLOOD INSURANCECLAIMS PROCESSFor more information, see FEMA’s NFIP Flood Claims Fact Sheet11. Report your loss to your insurance agent as soon as possible.2. Your insurance company will assign an adjuster to your case. Typicallywithin 24-48 hours, the adjuster will call you to schedule an appointment.3. During their visit, the adjuster will inspect the property and mayask if you wish to request an advance payment from your insurancecompany. It is helpful to prepare a list ahead of time of your flood-causeddamages. Take photos of all the damages and have copies of receipts,any contractor estimates and other documentation to help with the lossestimation process.4. The adjuster will send a detailed, room-by-room cost estimate ofdamage and Proof of Loss Form.a. The Proof of Loss is your sworn statement of the amount you areclaiming, including necessary supporting documentation, for yourofficial claim for damages. A Proof of Loss must contain the specificdetails outlined in the Standard Flood Insurance Policy (see NFIP’sstandard form2).b. Individual insurance companies may have different requirementsfor what supporting documentation needs to accompany the Proofof Loss form. Talk to your NFIP agent about what documentation yourinsurance company requires.b. If you do not agree with the suggested amount, you can workthrough the following escalating steps until you agree on a newamount (it may be helpful to have your general contractor involved inthis process): your adjuster, then your adjuster’s supervisor, then yourinsurance company’s claims department.c. If you still can’t reach an agreement on a covered loss amount,complete a Proof of Loss for the total amount you are requesting andsend it with supporting documentation to your insurance company.6. If the insurance company agrees with your Proof of Loss, the claimwill be settled. If they disagree, you will receive payment for theundisputed amount and a detailed letter explaining the denial of anydisputed amount.7. If any part of your claim is denied, you have three options:a. Send an amended Proof of Loss with more supportingdocumentation back to the insurance examiner.b. Submit a formal appeal to FEMA, within 60 days of receiving thedenial letter, that includes supporting documentation for your appeal.c. File a lawsuit against your insurer, within one year of receiving thedenial letter. Once you file a lawsuit you can no longer appeal yourclaim with FEMA or file an amended Proof of Loss with your insurer.8. If you find additional damage after you file the claim, or repairs costmore than estimated, contact your agent to file for additional payment.5. Review the cost estimate of damage and Proof of Loss form.a. If you agree with the suggested amount, you will sign,swear to and submit it to your insurance company.TIPS¹FEMA’s NFIP Flood Claims Fact Sheet: 2NFIP Proof of Loss: www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/9343Be sure to accurately describehow flood damages were causedby flooding and not other perils orprevious wear/damage.FOR EXAMPLE:DO NOT SAY: My windows aredamaged. Water is leaking into thehouse as a result.DO SAY: Before the flood my windowswere watertight. After the flooddamaged my windows, the woodbegan to deteriorate, causing water toleak into my home.Photograph and move water-damageditems outside to aid with clean up,but where possible don’t have themhauled away (unless they present ahealth risk) until after the adjustersees them.If you took steps to prevent damagebefore an imminent flood, such asbuying sandbags or renting a storagespace to protect your belongings, youmay be eligible to receive up to 1,000reimbursement for those expenses.Save all receipts.SBPUSA.org7

Getting DisasterAssistance:Register for FEMA Individuals &Households Program AssistanceWHAT WILL HAPPEN1. DOCUMENT ®ISTER2. DAMAGEINSPECTIONDOCUMENT & REGISTERHOW TO REGISTEROnline: www.disasterassistance.govBy phone: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)In person at a Disaster Recovery Center1REQUIRED REGISTRATION INFORMATIONSocial security numberContact information (address and phone for the damaged property &your current location)Financial information (total annual household pre-tax income, at thetime of the disaster)Insurance information (types of coverages you have)Damage information (description of losses)Banking information (bank name, account type, account &routing number)KEY TERMSPresidential Disaster Declaration:Dictates an area that qualifies for emergency federalgovernmental aid as a result of a catastrophe.THE BASICSFor more information, see FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program Fact Sheet2FEMA’s Individuals & Households Program (IHP) provides financialhelp and/or direct assistance to individuals and families for eligibledisaster-caused needs not covered by insurance. Even if you do not haveinsurance, you may be eligible for assistance. Some types of assistanceare dependent on the ability to qualify for a loan from the SBA.3. NOTIFICATIONLETTER4. APPEAL IFNEEDEDTYPES OF ASSISTANCE MAY INCLUDE:HousingFinancial assistance (rental assistance, lodging expensesreimbursement, home repair or replacement assistance)Direct housing services (manufactured housing units, multifamily lease and repair, permanent or semi-permanent housingconstruction)Other Needs AssistanceNon-SBA dependent: assistance for medical, dental, childcare,funeral and other eligible misc. expensesSBA-dependent: assistance for repair/replacement of personalproperty, vehicle and transportation costs, and moving and storageexpensesAPPLICANT ELIGIBILITY:U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alienFEMA is able to verify identityDisaster-caused needs cannot be met by insurance or other formsof assistanceNecessary expenses and serious needs are a direct result of thedeclared disasterYou can begin the application process as soon as the President makes amajor disaster declaration for your state (check www.disasterassistance.gov to see if a disaster has been declared for your area). This applicationstarts the consideration process for all types of FEMA assistance forwhich you are eligible—you do not need to create multiple applications.Households may receive multiple types of assistance; FEMA willdetermine which are appropriate. If you disagree with FEMA's decision,you can appeal.¹FEMA Disaster Recovery Center Locator: https://egateway.fema.gov/ESF6/DRCLocator2FEMA's Individuals and Households Program Fact Sheet: 45SBPUSA.org8

Getting DisasterAssistance:Register for FEMA Individuals &Households Program Assistance(Continued)Applying for federal disaster assistance is a process with several steps,and many times successful applications involve an initial denial as partof the process. If you are denied, it does not always mean that you arenot eligible for or will not get assistance. Often, more information orcorrected language is needed for your application to be considered.FEMA considers a denial to be the start of a conversation betweenthemselves and the applicant. Do not be discouraged if you receivea denial during the process—appeals are part of the process andyou may appeal ANY decision.THE FINE PRINTBy law, FEMA cannot provide money to individuals or households forlosses that are covered by insurance. You have up to 12 months fromthe date you registered with FEMA to submit your insurance informationfor review.Housing repair/replacement assistance is designed to bring homes to alivable condition, not to bring them back to pre-disaster condition.Only applicants who do not quality for a loan from the SBA may beeligible for certain types of Other Needs Assistance (repair/replacementof personal property, vehicle and transportation, and moving and storageexpenses) (see SBA Disaster Loans section).IHP assistance is limited to a maximum of 34K and a period of 18 monthsfollowing the disaster declaration.If you received financial assistance from FEMA in a past disaster andlive in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), you are required to purchaseand maintain flood insurance in order to be eligible for federal disasterassistance in the future.DAMAGE INSPECTION &NOTIFICATION PROCESSDocumentation & Information to Have for Your InspectionProof of ownership (homeowners only) and of primary residence (taxbill, mortgage statement, deed, lease, etc.)1. If you have insurance, contact your insurance agent(s) first. Thenregister with FEMA as soon as possible. You must register within 60 daysof the disaster declaration.2. An inspection date and time will be set for your home, generally within7-10 days (if you have insurance that may cover the damages, you mayhave to provide an insurance decision letter to FEMA first). The inspectorwill document your damages onsite and provide you with a FEMA casenumber that you can use to track your case.DO NOT MISS YOUR INSPECTION. If you can’t be there, call and reschedule your appointment or ask anotherperson age 18 or older to stand in for you. Ifsomeone is standing in for you, they shouldalso have a letter or email from the homeownerthat states why he/she cannot be on hand, howthey know you, signature with date, and contactinformation.3. Generally within about 10 days of the inspector’s visit, you will receivea notification letter from FEMA:If FEMA determines you are eligible for assistance, you will receivecheck or transfer to your bank account, and a letter will explainwhat the funds can be used for (use funds only as directed).If FEMA needs more information from you, the letter will indicatewhat you need to submit.If FEMA determines you are eligible, the letter will give the reasonfor the decision and your rights to appeal.If referred to the SBA for the SBA Disaster Loans Program, youmay receive an SBA application or the SBA may contact you. It isimportant to complete the loan application; being evaluated for SBAloan eligibility is a necessary step in the process to determine if youmay be eligible for other types of assistance.For more information, visit: sProof you/your household occupied the home at the time of thedisaster (utility bill, phone bill, pay stub, etc)Your family composition & how many lived in the home at the time ofdisasterPhoto ID & contact information (phone & current mailing address)Insurance information (including auto)List of disaster-related damages--walk through all with inspector(damaged caused by something other than the disaster will not beeligible for assistance)SBPUSA.org9

Getting DisasterAssistance:Register for FEMA Individuals &Households Program AssistanceTIPS(Continued)If you have disaster-caused damages but yourcounty has not been declared, continue to checkdisasterassistance.gov as it may be added in the future.You can also contact your state emergency managementoffice to see if other assistance is being offered.Inspectors make many, many house visits every day.Anything you can do to make their job easier will be to yourbenefit. Inspections typically take between 20-45 mins.Make sure your house number isclearly visible from the road.Provide good contact information. If you donot have a phone, give your neighbor’s phonenumber or the number of someone who can alertyou if the inspector is trying to reach you.Take photos of all damages. The inspector’sphotos will not be as comprehensive as yours.These photos may be useful in the initialdecision or in a subsequent appeal.Remember that no decision will be made onsite.If FEMA does not know about it, they cannot reimburseyou for it. Discuss all your losses and concernswith your inspector, not just house damages.Depending on your situation, some types ofdisaster-caused losses that may be eligible forOther Needs Assistance may include:Vehicle or means of transportationAppliancesMedical or dental expensesWork-related tools or suppliesProtect yourself from disaster-related fraud.FEMA and SBA staff NEVER ask for moneyfrom those affected by a disaster.Beware of anyone claiming to be from FEMAor the state who asks for your Social Securitynumber, bank account number or other sensitiveinformation. If you have any doubts, do not giveout information and file a report with the police.If you have inspectors come to your home,be sure to ask for identification—federal andstate representatives carry photo ID.If you suspect fraud, call the DisasterFraud Hotline at 866-720-5721.SBPUSA.org10

Getting DisasterAssistance:Appealing a FEMA DisasterAssistance DecisionAPPEAL PROCESSBe prepared to be very engaged in your FEMA application process. Followup and call proactively if you have unmet needs, outstanding questionsor are awaiting a decision.If you are denied, or have unmet needs your assistance does not cover,know that you may appeal any decision FEMA makes about what typesand amounts of disaster assistance you qualify for.FEMA considers a denial to be the start of conversation betweenFEMA and the applicant, not the end of the process. A denial doesn’tnecessarily mean that you aren’t eligible or won’t receive assistance;often more or corrected information is what's needed for FEMA to makea determination. Frequently this is proof of a denied claim or insufficientfunds from your insurance company.Federal disaster assistance can be an extremely valuable tool for yourrecovery; proactively engaging with the process can help you access thefullest extent of the resources for which you are eligible.BEFORE YOU APPEALContact your insurance company. By law FEMA cannot provide moneyfor losses that are covered by insurance. This means FEMA cannotconsider an application without the appropriate insurance information.Maintain several copies of all documents. Documents get lost easily.Keep duplicates in the event you need to send them again.Request your file from FEMA.1 This will show what information theyused to make their decision.Be timely. You have 60 days from the date of decision to respond. Workwithin this timeline.Review the Presidential Disaster Declaration Announcement.Refer to the language used in the declaration when describing how theevent damaged your property in your application or appeal. You can findit at www.fema.gov/disasters or www.disasterassistance.gov.What to Include in Your Appeal:1. Letter to FEMAFEMA registration number AND Presidential Disaster NumberLast four digits of SSNBirth date & place of birthFull name on all pagesAddress of property affected by the disasterContact informationComplete details about concerns and justification for the appealSignature, date*If this letter is written by someone other than the applicant,include the writer’s name, address, phone number, and relationto the applicant, plus a signed statement from the applicant givingtheir consent. The writer must also sign the letter.2. Copy of State ID3. Documentation to verify justification for appeal, such as:2 – 3 Contractor estimates (copies): on letterhead, signed bycontractor, specifying disaster-caused damages; line by linebreakdown of damages and repair costs; verifiable phone numberKEEP IN MINDUse the language of the Presidential Disaster Declaration in your appealletter. For example, if the disaster event that caused the damage is aflood, for each instance of damage in your letter, very clearly state howthe flood caused it.Make sure all information is correct. Check for spelling errors.Make sure the name of the applicant is listed correctly on all supportingdocuments. For example, having your married name on your mortgageand your birth name on your ID could create challenges in processingyour application.National Disaster Legal Aid has an interactive FEMA appeals tool2 thatwill generate a FEMA file request and appeal letter for you based onyour answers to a series of questions. If not using the interactive tool,following are tips on what to include when writing your appeal letter.¹For information on how to request your file, visit al Disaster Legal Aid FEMA Appeal Tool: l Your FEMA DecisionSBPUSA.org11

Getting DisasterAssistance:Appealing a FEMA DisasterAssistance Decision(Continued)SAMPLE APPEAL LETTERAFTER YOU APPEALUSE: Sample letter can be used to appeal a FEMA decision regarding your application for federalassistance. A FEMA decision appeal must be in writing and postmarked within 60 days of thedecision letter's date.SAMPLE: Letter of AppealName of ApplicantAddress of ApplicantFEMA Registration Number:Maintain copies of your original documents in case you need tore-submit at a later point.Be proactive in following up and asking questions. Prepare toinvest time and energy in the process.Date:Keep records of your communications with FEMA officials as wellas their names and contact information; this can be helpful forfollow up.Mail to: FEMA‐Individuals andHouseholds Programs NationalProcessing Service CenterP. O. Box 10055Hyattsville, MD 20782‐7055Fax to: (800) 827‐8112Go to places or events where FEMA staff are present. After adisaster, FEMA will often set up Disaster Recovery Centers inpublic locations. Working through the application and appealprocess with them in person can be very helpful.Attention: FEMA – Individuals and Households ProgramsDear FEMA:This letter is to appeal your decision and request a review of my case. My

A guide through the post-disaster recovery process. KEY ASSISTANCE SOURCES TIPS HOMEOWNERS/RENTERS INSURANCE If you have homeowners or renters insurance, this provides you funds to repair or replace property damaged as a result of covered perils during a disaster. Additional types of insurance, such as auto or other peril-specific

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