If your area was affected by a disaster, FEMA officials suggest you register for disaster assistance available even if you are not sure you qualify. This statement comes in response to nearing deadline in Cullman County, Alabama, where FEMA’s Nate Custer told the Cullman Times, “…Even if you are uncertain if you need or qualify for assistance, it’s important to register.”
The Importance of Registering
It is common for people who live in a disaster-affected area to believe that they do not qualify for assistance because they do not find any immediate problems with their homes or because they are able to live with friends or family members. However, homeowners often find damage within weeks of a disaster. Likewise, living arrangements with loved ones sometimes do not work out well. FEMA deadlines allow you to register yourself so you are in the system in the event you need to file a claim or ask a question.
FEMA often has resources available to those who experienced a disaster and register on time. For example, Custer states that FEMA can help a family secure a rental unit while their home undergoes the restoration process. Additionally, manufactured homes are available as a temporary living solution based on preference or if rental units are not available. Additional services include homeowner grants and business loans from the Small Business Association. However, an individual must register with FEMA by the deadline to access such services.
Where to Register
While FEMA often has physical sites where residents can register for assistance, individuals can also register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or over the phone by calling (toll-free) 1-800-621-3362.
Even if you think you are not eligible for disaster assistance, register and find out for certain. The funds provided by FEMA can help you recover from a flood or another disaster so your life can get back to normal.
In a press release today, FEMA announced that Kentucky business owners directly affected by the April 22 to May 20 storms, tornadoes and floods might be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). The DUA is a special unemployment compensation program for those who do not qualify for standard unemployment assistance through their state.
Assistance Eligibility
If you are a Kentucky business owner, in order to qualify, one of the following situations must apply to you:
You cannot run your business because of the floods, storms or tornadoes.
You cannot reach your business because of “disaster-related travel disruptions.”
You cannot work because you sustained a disaster-related injury.
You cannot operate your business or work because the storms damaged your building.
You live or own a business in one of the 17 Kentucky counties eligible for Individual Assistance through FEMA and the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management.
Disaster Assistance Filing Dates
June 24, 2011: for Boyd, Crittenden, Graves, Hardin, Hickman, Jefferson, Marshall, McCracken, Livingston, Union and Webster counties
To be determined: for Ballard, Daviess, Henderson, Lawrence, McLean and Pike counties
FEMA states:
“Unemployment payments up to 26 weeks are available for workers who temporarily lost jobs because of the storms and who don’t normally qualify for unemployment insurance benefits, such as farmers and self-employed individuals.
“Applications can be submitted at a local Office of Employment and Training. When filing a claim, self-employed individuals should bring a copy of their 2010 income tax return. Other applicants need a photo identification card and their Social Security number.
“Joint damage assessments continue in other counties and additional counties may be added for IA. Residents that suffered storm and flood related damage are encouraged to document and photo the damage and keep any repair receipts. Please report any damage to your local emergency management.”
Without a business continuity plan, a storm can shut down your operations for good if you are not prepared. Your continuity plan should also include what to do after a storm.
The Associate Press reports that the last month of twisters has already made 2011 the deadliest year regarding tornadoes in over five decades. What may be even more disturbing is that the tornado-affected areas have the highest rate of homes without homeowner’s insurance. Consequently, some of the families who need the most insurance-related assistance do not have it and will have a harder time recouping their losses. While the federal government is able to offer some assistance, the law limits the amount of assistance it can provide to $30,300 per household.
The Most Hazard-Prone
The federal government mandates the purchase of flood insurance in specific zones, but homeowner’s insurance is not. So far, the tornadoes have cost the lives of over 450 individuals and over a billion dollars in damage. The state of Mississippi has the second largest percentage of homes in the U.S. to not carry homeowner’s insurance that covers wind damage and is one of the top five states to have the most tornadoes touch the land in the last five years. Arkansas has the fourth largest percentage of uninsured homes in the U.S. and is number 10 in the list of states that are most tornado-prone. Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma are among the top 10 states to have the most tornadoes in the country, and have a high percentage of uninsured homes.
Not Insuring a Home ≠ Money Savings
The reason so many homes in the tornado-torn areas of the U.S. do not have homeowner’s insurance is because the owners no longer have a mortgage, so the banks do not require such coverage. When an individual owns a home and no longer has to make mortgage payments, the decision to purchase homeowners insurance is strictly personal. The AP report associates much of the lack of insurance on the high cost to insure older homes and the higher poverty levels. However, as many homeowners found out, going without homeowner’s insurance will not necessarily save you money in the future.
More than 100,000 households and individuals who are victims of the recent tornadoes are waiting to receive FEMA disaster assistance in order to have access to basic needs, temporary shelter and financial assistance for home repairs. A homeowner’s insurance policy helps provide the funds for hotel costs, meals, property replacement, to rebuild a home and general recovery from a storm. Insurance is a matter of risk, and the question begs: Is it worth foregoing the purchase of insurance in order to save money in the present? The decision is strictly personal.
In an effort to provide services to individuals with limited access to a computer, radio and/or television, FEMA now offers a mobile website to smart-phone users. The site, m.fema.gov, is simple, straightforward and easy to use. FEMA administrator Craig Fugate states, “Smart phones are becoming more prevalent, affordable, reliable and more viable to locate and obtain information and assistance. The service will provide yet another avenue for the sharing of important information that is so critical to ensuring the public is prepared for emergencies.”
Features of FEMA’s Mobile Website
FEMA’s mobile site has two sections: “How Can I Find Assistance?” and “What Should I do in a Disaster?” The assistance section provides FEMA’s phone number (1-800-621-3362) and links about applying for FEMA aid or assistance. It also includes information about how to keep your family and others safe.
The disaster section of the mobile site provides tips on what do to in the event of a flood, tornado, hurricane, earthquake, terrorism, thunderstorm, tsunami, wildfire and winter storms. The natural disaster tips tell individuals what to do before, during and after an event. The terrorism tips include information about what to do before, during and after an explosion, chemical or biological threats, a nuclear blast or a radiological dispersion device (RDD) event.
“FEMA officials are planning technical improvements to the site, including interfaces with other federal, state and local agencies and private nonprofit organizations, such as the Coordinated Assistance Network; integrating additional controls for waste, fraud and abuse during emergencies; and surge capability through a federal cloud solution.”
This user-friendly mobile site offers a wealth of information at a smart-phone user’s fingertips. During an unthinkable event, anyone who bookmarked this site on his or her phone’s mobile browser will not regret it. Learn more about emergency preparedness.
If your area was affected by a disaster, FEMA officials suggest you register for disaster assistance available even if you are not sure you qualify. This statement comes in response to nearing deadline in Cullman County, Alabama, where FEMA’s Nate Custer told the Cullman Times, “…Even if you are uncertain if you need or qualify for assistance, it’s important to register.”
