Recovery Times FEMA HURRICANE DENNIS July 22, 2005 Vol. 1 Published by the U.S. Department ofHomeland Security/FEMA, Alabama StateEmergency Management Agency, and the Florida State Emergency Response Team Apply by Phone 800-621-FEMA (3362) TTY: 800-462-7585 or Register Online www.fema.gov Disaster Help Available Now! Hurricane Dennis brought heavy rain and high winds to Alabama and Florida on July 10, 2005. In response to requests from Alabama Gov. Bob Riley and Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, President George W. Bush declared federal disasters, making residents in the affected areas eligible to register for disaster assistance programs. The disaster declarations allow the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency and other federal agencies to partner with state and local counterparts to help residents and businesses recover from Hurricane Dennis. Government disaster assistance is designed to help meet basic needs and cannot normally compensate disaster victims for their entire loss. If you have insurance, disaster assistance may help you meet serious needs not fully covered under your insurance policy. The types of help available are discussed in this newsletter and will be explained as you go through the registration process. Homeowners, renters, and business owners in the designated counties who sustained losses can register for assistance by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362). Those with speech or hearing impairments should call 800-462-7585. FEMA also accepts online registrations at www.fema.gov. Important Recovery Information Register by phone or online at www.fema.gov Residents of designated counties whose homes, businesses or personal property sustained damage as a result of Hurricane Dennis are urged to begin the registration process by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) (TTY: 800-462-7585). Residents also can register online at www.fema.gov. Assistance to Indivi-duals and Households Homeowners and renters whose primary residences are not livable may be eligible for funds to pay for temporary housing, repairs to make their homes livable, and other serious disaster-related needs that are not covered by insurance. U.S. Small Business Administration During disasters, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes that are not fully insured. National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Those affected by Hurricane Dennis and insured with NFIP are eligible to file claims to repair or replace their damaged property. Call your licensed insurance agent to file a claim. Beware of Disaster Fraud Beyond wind and rain, hurricanes also may bring scam artists looking to take advantage of disaster victims. Follow these guidelines when dealing with a contractor: • Check to make sure the contractor has a valid license. Contact the Better Business Bureau, homebuilders' association or trade council to see if the contractor has any unanswered complaints. • Ask for proof of insurance. If a contractor is uninsured, you may be liable for accidents on your property. • Ask for a written contract that specifies all tasks to be performed, associated costs, timeline, payment schedule and the party responsible for necessary permits and licenses. Never sign a blank contract. • Do not give anyone an advance cash payment. Pay by check in order to keep a record and avoid double charges. • If you feel uncomfortable about a contract, cancel it quickly. You may cancel a contract within three business days after signing. USE CAUTION WHEN CLEANING UP The debris and damage left behind by Hurricane Dennis can carry hidden dangers and hazards. Here are some safety tips to remember when cleaning up: • Always wear gloves and work boots when cleaning or removing debris. • Check refrigerated foods for spoilage. If you even suspect that food may be unsafe, discard it. • If your home has suffered water damage, open windows to provide ventilation. Remove wet contents including carpet, furniture and building materials. • Do not allow children to play in or around debris piles, and check play areas for disaster-caused safety hazards. • Do not try to remove any displaced propane tanks. Get in touch with police or fire officials to report the location of these tanks. Q&A: Disaster Assistance Q. What should I do to get help with my disaster losses? A. Call the toll-free registration number, 800-621-FEMA (3362). If you have a speech or hearing impairment, call the TTY number, 800-462-7585. Or you can register online at www.fema.gov. Q. If I have insurance, can I still get assistance? A. If you have insurance, contact your insurance company as soon as possible. However, if you believe you have needs not covered by your insurance, do not delay in registering for disaster assistance. Q. What information do I need to give when I call for assistance or register online? A. Your name, address of damaged property, insurance information, gross income and a phone number where you may be reached. Q. What happens after I register? A. It depends on the sources of aid to which you are referred. In some cases, you will be referred to other agencies for assistance. If you are registering for disaster housing assistance, a trained FEMA inspector will call for an appointment within two weeks after you have registered. If you have not heard by then, call FEMA at 800-621-FEMA (3362). Q. I registered with FEMA and then I received a disaster loan application from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Why did I receive a loan application? A. SBA is the primary source of federal assistance for long-term recovery. For disaster damage to private property owned by individuals, families and businesses that is not fully covered by insurance, the basic form of federal assistance for long-term recovery is a low-interest disaster loan from SBA. Q. I registered for disaster assistance during last year’s hurricanes. Should I register with FEMA again if my home or business suffered damage from Dennis? A. Yes, you should register with FEMA if your property suffered damage from Hurricane Dennis. You can register either by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or online at www.fema.gov. The TTY number for those with speach or hearing impairments is 800-462-7585. Questions about FEMA assistance? Call: 800-621-FEMA (3362) TTY: 800-462-7585 Aid to Help You on the Road to Recovery Residents and business owners who suffered losses due to Hurricane Dennis and are located in the designated counties may be eligible for assistance. If you’re insured, should you apply for assistance? If you suffered damage from Hurricane Dennis and you are a resident or business owner in one of the disaster-designated counties, you may be eligible for federal disaster assistance even if you are insured. The law does not allow disaster aid to duplicate insurance benefits; however, if your insurance does not cover all your costs or damage, FEMA may be able to help. Register for aid by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or register online at www.fema.gov ASSISTANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS AND HOMEOWNERS Help is available for renters and homeowners whose primary homes were damaged or destroyed or who face displacement from their homes because of disaster damage. Aid can include grants for temporary housing or money for emergency repairs to make a home livable. Help is available also to meet disaster-related serious needs including medical, dental or transportation costs. HOME/PERSONAL PROPERTY DISASTER LOANS U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners for real estate repairs. Renters and homeowners may borrow up to $40,000 to replace personal property losses. BUSINESS DISASTER LOANS Businesses of all sizes and certain nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $1.5 million from the SBA to pay for repairing or replacing real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other assets. For small businesses, SBA makes economic injury loans available for working capital. CONSUMER SERVICES Consumer complaints about disreputable business practices and other consumer problems can be filed with the state attorney general’s office. DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE Weekly benefits may be provided for those out of work due to the disaster,including self-employed persons, farm or ranch workers and others not covered by regular unemployment. Apply at your local unemployment office. AGRICULTURAL AID Emergency loans may be available to farmers or ranchers for actual losses to essential property and/or production capacity. Contact your Farm Services Agency office. SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS Contact your local Social Security office if Hurricane Dennis has delayed the delivery of your social security check. TAX ASSISTANCE The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) allows federal income tax deductions for disaster-related under-insured or uninsured casualty losses on homes, personal property and household goods. INSURANCE INFORMATION The state insurance bureau can help with matters such as speeding up settlements, getting copies of lost policies, verifying losses and filing claims. VOLUNTEER AGENCY SERVICES Volunteer relief agencies such as the American Red Cross, Salvation Army and other groups offer a wide range of services to meet emergency disaster needs from supplying victims with home clean-up kits to providing financial assistance. Recovery Times Recovery Times is published by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Alabama Emergency Management Agency, and the Florida State Emergency Response Team with help from other federal, state and voluntary agencies. DR1593-AL Federal Coordinating Officer JAMES N. RUSSO Alabama State Coordinating Officer BRUCE BAUGHMAN DR1595-FL Federal Coordinating Officer JUSTIN DEMELLO Florida State Coordinating Officer CRAIG FUGATE SBA Disaster Loans Not Just for Business Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) constitute the primary form of federal assistance for long-term recovery not only for businesses of all sizes, but also for homeowners and renters. SBA loans fund private property repairs that are not fully covered by insurance. By making affordable loans, the SBA disaster program helps those affected by the disaster pay for repairs while minimizing costs to the taxpayer. Loans for homeowners and renters. Loans of up to $200,000 are available to homeowners for real estate repairs. Homeowners and renters may borrow up to $40,000 for replacement of disaster-damaged personal property. Additionally, homeowners may be eligible for additional funds of up to 20 percent to cover the costs of measures that will prevent or mitigate damages from future disasters. SBA analyzes the income and debts of an applicant before providing a loan. If SBA determines the disaster victim cannot afford a disaster loan, SBA may refer the applicant to other sources of help. Disaster loans for businesses. Businesses of all sizes and private non-profit organizations may apply for low-interest disaster loans from SBA to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate, machinery, equipment, inventory and other business assets. Loans up to $1.5 million are available for losses not fully covered by insurance. For small businesses only, SBA makes Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to provide working capital to pay necessary obligations until operations return to normal after the disaster. These working capital loans are available to businesses financially impacted by the disaster, even if they had no property damage. Register with FEMA for SBA disaster loans. Registering with FEMA by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or visiting www.fema.gov may result in your receiving an SBA loan application. If you receive a package, you must complete it to be considered for additional disaster assistance. If you need help completing the loan application, you can get help from an SBA representative at any disaster recovery center or by visiting the SBA Web site at www.sba.gov/disaster. Make sure disaster aid goes to those who deserve it. FEMA Fraud Hotline: 800-323-8603 Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, contact FEMA at 800-621-FEMA (3362)TTY: 800-462-7585 or contact the state equal rights office. Clip & Save FEDERAL AGENCIES FEMA Registration .................................... 800-621-FEMA (3362) TTY for hearing/speech impaired ......................800-462-7585 FEMA Fraud Detection ............................................800-323-8603 National Flood Insurance Program........................888-275-6347 U.S. Small Business Administration......................800-659-2955 Social Security Administration ..............................800-772-1213 Internal Revenue Service........................................800-829-1040 TTY for hearing/speech impaired ......................800-829-4059 Housing and Urban Development Hotline.............800-669-9777 Dept. of Veterans Affairs.........................................800-827-1000 ALABAMA AGENCIES Alabama Emergency Management Agency ..........800-843-0699 Attorney General’s Consumer Hotline ..................800-392-5658 Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries......................................................334-240-7100 Disaster Unemployment Assistance .....................866-234-5382 FLORIDA AGENCIES Attorney General’s Office .......................................850-414-3300 Consumer Fraud Hotline.........................................866-966-7226 Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services ............................................800-435-7352 Agency for Workforce Innovation & Disaster Unemployment .................................800-204-2418 Contractors – Dept. of Business & Professional Registration ..................................850-487-1395 Road Information – State Highway Department ................ 888-638-0250 ext 1637 Disaster Area Updates ........................ www.FloridaDisaster.org VOLUNTEER AGENCIES American Red Cross .......................... 866-GET-INFO (438-4636) Salvation Army ........................................................800-725-2769 Volunteer Florida .............................1-800-FL-HELP1 (354-3571)