TimesTimesTimesTimes KANSAS July 19, 2007 Vol. 1 Published by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/FEMA and the Kansas Division of Emergency Management KDEM Apply by Phone 800.621.FEMA (3362) TTY: 800.462.7585 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Seven days a week (Hours may change) Flooded streets prevented residents from returning to their homes in Coffeyville, Kansas. Photo by Sharon Watson, KDEM. Disaster Help Available Now! Severe storms beginning June 26 caused widespread damage throughout southeast Kansas. In response to a request from Governor Kathleen Sebelius, President Bush declared a federal disaster on July 2, providing direct federal assistance for emergency protective measures and opening the door to assistance for individuals, business owners, local governments and certain nonprofits that suffered in southeast Kansas. The disaster declaration enables the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other federal agencies to team with state and local disaster workers to help residents and business owners in the affected counties recover. Government disaster assistance covers basic needs, but will not normally compensate disaster victims for their entire loss. If you have insurance, the government may help pay for basic needs not covered under your insurance policy. The types of help available are outlined in this newsletter and will be explained when you register for aid. Those affected by the storms and flooding who live or own businesses in a disaster-designated county may apply for aid by calling toll-free 800-621-FEMA (3362). The TTY number for callers with special speech or hearing needs is 800-462-7585. Individuals may also register online at www.fema.gov. Important Recovery Information  Register by phone, at a Disaster Recovery Center or online at www.fema.gov Residents of designated counties whose homes, businesses or personal property sustained damage as a result of severe storms and flooding that began June 26 are urged to begin the application process. Register online or call 800-621-FEMA (3362) (TTY: 800-4627585).  Assistance to Individuals and Households Homeowners and renters whose primary residences are not livable may be eligible for funds to pay for temporary housing, repairs to make the home livable and other serious, disaster-related needs. . U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) SBA offers low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private non-profit organizations.  National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Disaster victims insured with NFIP are eligible to file claims to repair or replace damaged property. Call your licensed insurance agent for information. Out of Work Because of the Disaster? The federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance Program may provide you with a weekly check if you have become unemployed or have suffered a loss of income as a result of the disaster. The program is designed to help the self-employed, farmers and others not normally eligible for unemployment insurance. Disaster unemployment assistance can provide weekly benefits for up to 26 weeks following the date of the disaster declaration. You may be eligible if you are: • out of work as a result of the disaster; • self-employed or a seasonal/ migrant worker whose income is substantially affected by the disaster; • an employee not covered by any other unemployment compensation; or • a survivor who, as a result of the disaster, becomes a head of household. Contact your local unemployment office for information. Special Needs Assistance Special needs assistance is available, especially if you are a senior citizen or have a disability and need help filling out the forms or managing finances. FEMA staff can help you register and tell you about services and programs. For information on home repairs, loans, medical needs and transportation, call FEMA at 1800- 621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800462- 7587 if you are speech or hearing-impaired. 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, 800-4627585. Or you can register online at www.fema.gov. Q. If I have insurance, can I still get assistance? A. If you have any insurance coverage, contact your insurance company. However, if you believe you have needs not covered by your insurance, do not delay in applying for disaster assistance. Q. What information do I need to give when I call for assistance? A. Your name, address of damaged property, Social Security number, insurance information, gross income, and a phone number where you may be reached. Q. What happens after I apply? A. It depends on which sources of aid to which you are referred. In some cases, you will be referred to other agencies for assistance. If you are applying for disaster housing assistance, a trained FEMA inspector may call you for an appointment within two weeks after you have registered to assess your disaster related damages. If you have not heard from anyone 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. FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan offices to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses. If you need assistance in completing the SBA application, you can get help from an SBA representative at any disaster recovery center or by calling SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955, TTY 800-877-8339. Also visit SBA on the Web at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. 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 the Federal Coordinating Officer or the State Coordinating Officer. 2 Aid to Help You on the Road to Recovery Individuals and business owners who suffered losses because of severe storms and flooding beginning June 26 may be eligible for assistance. 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 also available to meet disaster-related serious needs or necessary expenses 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 SBA offers disaster loans to businesses of any size and private non-profit organizations of up to $1.5 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. For small businesses only, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage. CONSUMER SERVICES Complaints about business practices and other consumer problems should be filed with the Kansas Attorney General’s Office. Call 800-382-5516. VOLUNTEER AGENCY SERVICES Volunteer relief agencies such as the American Red Cross, Salvation Army If you’re insured, should you apply for assistance? If you suffered damage from the severe storms and flooding beginning June 26 and you live or own a business 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 online at www.fema.gov and other groups offer a wide range of services from supplying disaster victims with home clean-up kits to financial assistance to meet emergency disaster needs. AGRICULTURAL AID Emergency loans may be available to farmers or ranchers for actual losses to essential property and/or production capacity. Cost-sharing grants also are available for emergency conservation measures. Contact your local Farm Service Agency office. SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS Help to speed delivery of checks delayed by the disaster is available from your local Social Security office. TAX ASSISTANCE The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) allows federal income tax deductions for underinsured or uninsured losses on homes, personal property and household goods. FRAUD PROTECTION AND LEGAL SERVICES The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) can assist in cases of unlawful discrimination in federally subsidized or insured housing. Complaints may be filed with the Kansas Attorney General’s Office. Legal assistance and/or referrals may be available by calling the state bar association. 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. VETERANS BENEFITS Information is available about benefits, pensions, insurance and VA mortgage loans. Times Times Recovery Times is published by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Kansas Division of Emergency Management with help from other federal, state and voluntary agencies. Comments and inquiries may be directed to PH: 800.621.FEMA (3362) http://www.fema.gov DR1711 KS Federal Coordinating Officer MICHAEL L. KARL State Coordinating Officer ANGEE MORGAN Editor, FEMA Public Affairs BLAIR GATELY 3 BUILDING FOR A SBA Low-Interest Loans SAFER FUTURE Not Only For Businesses A low-interest loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the main form of federal help for recovery for homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes. These loans fund repairs of damages to private property not fully covered by insurance. By making affordable loans, the SBA disaster program helps disaster victims pay for repairs while keeping taxpayer costs reasonable. Loans for homeowners and renters. SBA disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners for real estate repairs and up to $40,000 for replacement of disaster-damaged personal property. Renters may borrow up to $40,000 to replace disaster- damaged personal property. An additional 20 percent may be added to the disaster loan to cover the costs of mitigation measures to prevent future damage. SBA analyzes the income and debts of a homeowner or renter. If the applicant cannot afford a disaster loan, SBA may refer that person to another source of help. Loans for businesses and nonprofit organizations. Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may apply for low-interest disaster loans from SBA to repair or replace disaster- damaged real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. Loans of 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. These loans, up to $1.5 million, are available to businesses financially impacted by the disaster, even if they had no property damage. Small businesses located in counties bordered by declared counties may also apply for these loans. For disaster related information visit FEMA on the Web @ www.fema.gov There are some simple, inexpensive steps you can take to protect your property from future flood damage. Raise the electrical box or relocate the box to an upper floor. Raise the water heater and heating system on a masonry base or relocate them to an upper floor. Anchor the fuel tank (oil or propane) to the floor or wall to prevent it from overturning or floating away. Metal structural supports and fasteners must not be corrosive. Wooden supports must be pressure treated. Install a floating floor-drain plug at the lowest point of the lowest finished floor. When the floor drainpipe backs up, the float rises and plugs the drain. Install a backflow valve to prevent sewer backup from coming into your home. . 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 .................... 800-427-4661 TTY for hearing/speech impaired..................800-427-5593 Social Security Administration ...........................800-772-1213 U.S. Small Business Administration..................800-659-2955 Internal Revenue Service .................................... 800-829-1040 TTY for hearing/speech impaired ...................800-829-4059 Housing and Urban Development Hotline.........800-669-9777 Department of Veterans Affairs...........................800-827-0648  STATE AGENCIES Kansas Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Hotline .. 800-432-2310 Kansas Highway Patrol .......................... 620-276-3201 or 785-296-6800 Kansas Department of Revenue (DL & vehicle title) .............. 785-296-3909, 785-296-3963 or 785-296-3621 Kansas Insurance Department .......................................... 800-432-2484 Kansas Dept. of Health and Environmental (vital records) ..... 785-296-1414 Kansas Dept. on Aging ....................................................... 800-432-3535 Southwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging ....................... 620-225-8230 Kansas Dept. of Labor (unemployment help) .................. 800-292-6333 Kansas Dept. of Social & Rehabilitation Services .................. 888-582-3759 Crisis Counseling-KS Suicide and Crisis Hotline ................... 800-784-2433 Farm Service Agency .............................................. Contact local office Rural Crisis Helpline ........................................................... 866-327-6578 . VOLUNTEER AGENCIES American Red Cross ........................................................... 866-GET-INFO Salvation Army ...................................................................... 816-756-1455 4