WASHINGTON -- FEMA has announced that $140 million will be available to communities across the county to assist with feeding and sheltering.
Congress made $125 million available for Fiscal Year 2020, and this year, the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) National Board is including an additional $15 million from funds that have not been used from prior grant years. FEMA awarded the $125 million to the National Board, which is now allocating the funds, combined with the additional $15 million, to qualifying jurisdictions (counties and cities).
EFSP funds assist local organizations dedicated to feeding, sheltering, and providing critical resources to people with economic emergencies, including our nation's hungry and homeless populations. These funds are for people with non-disaster related emergencies and can be used for a broad range of services, including mass shelter, mass feeding, food pantries and food banks, utility bill payments to prevent cut-offs, rent/mortgage payments to prevent evictions/foreclosures, and transition assistance from shelters to stable living conditions.
Of this year’s allocation, 8% will be made available to states that will make funding determinations to aid people in jurisdictions with needs that may not be reflected in the National Board’s qualifying formula.
The National Board is chaired by FEMA, with representatives from American Red Cross, Catholic Charities USA, The Jewish Federations of North America, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, The Salvation Army and United Way Worldwide. United Way Worldwide, selected by the National Board as its Secretariat and Fiscal Agent, is also responsible for the daily administration of the EFSP.
EFSP funding is allocated to qualifying local jurisdictions based on a formula using the most recent national population, unemployment and poverty data. Grants are then awarded by local boards to nonprofit and government organizations that provide direct services to those in need in their communities. With the FY 2020 funding, the total aid disbursed in the EFSP’s 38-year history will be more than $5 billion.
Montgomery, Ala. – More than $260 million in federal grants, loans and flood insurance program claims has been approved for residents and businesses since Hurricane Sally made landfall in Alabama two months ago.
Nearly $77 million of that amount has come in the form of grants to hurricane-impacted homeowners and renters to help pay for rent, temporary housing and repairs to a primary residence, as well as other disaster-related needs.
Three Alabama counties—Baldwin, Escambia and Mobile—were designated eligible for FEMA’s Individual Assistance (IA) program in a declaration signed by President Trump on Sept. 20, 2020.
As of Nov. 23, IA grants for temporary housing and rental and home repair or replacement total $55.3 million. Grants for other needs assistance (ONA) exceed $21.5 million.
ONA is provided to individuals and households to help address necessary expenses that cannot be met through other forms of disaster assistance or insurance, such as replacement of personal property and medical, dental, funeral, childcare, transportation, and moving and storage expense reimbursements.
“We are grateful for our local, state, and federal partnership that has helped deliver assistance to families that were devastated by Hurricane Sally,” said Alabama Emergency Management Agency Director, Brian Hastings. “As the recovery process continues, we encourage everyone to build forward better and start preparing for the next disaster.”
Small Business Administration (SBA)
More than $109.8 million in SBA disaster loans have been approved to help homeowners, renters and businesses recover from Hurricane Sally. As of Nov. 23, SBA has approved nearly $103.3 million in long-term, low interest disaster loans for homeowners and renters, as well as more than $6.5 million disaster loans to businesses.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
To date, NFIP has approved 3,247 flood insurance claims, and has paid more than $74.2 million to policy holders. The program allows property owners in communities that participate in NFIP to purchase flood insurance administered by the federal government.
SALEM, Ore. – Have you registered with FEMA yet? Are you thinking you wouldn’t be eligible because you have insurance? You should still apply. If you are a survivor affected by the Oregon wildfires and live in Clackamas, Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn or Marion county, apply by Monday, Nov. 30.
“The deadline to apply for FEMA assistance is fast approaching,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Dolph Diemont, who is in charge of the Oregon wildfire recovery. “There’s still time and we know there are survivors who still need our assistance. We want to urge survivors affected by these fires to get the most out of their recovery and apply today.”
FEMA assistance is your tax dollars at work in Oregon, providing funds to help kickstart your recovery process. To apply, visit www.disasterassistance.gov/, download the FEMA app, or call 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585). If you use a Relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption or CapTel, you should update FEMA with your assigned number for that service. Be aware that phone calls from FEMA may come from an unidentified number. Multilingual operators are available.
Here are 10 facts about the help that may be available to you:
You won’t be taking grant money away from someone else by applying. There are enough disaster funds to assist every eligible applicant.
If you applied for assistance through a voluntary organization or other federal or state agency, this does not register you with FEMA.
FEMA funds provided to eligible homeowners and renters do not have to be repaid. Remember: federal assistance cannot duplicate insurance or payments from other sources.
FEMA assistance is nontaxable and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid or other federal or state benefits.
If you are insured, but also had damage to your well and/or septic system, or a private road or bridge, you may be eligible for financial assistance from FEMA. These items are considered uninsurable and FEMA assistance would not be a duplication of funds you receive from your insurance settlement.
If you are underinsured and your insurance settlement isn’t enough to cover your expenses, FEMA might be able to help.
If your insurance settlement is delayed by 30 days or more, and you need immediate money to relocate, FEMA may be able to help. Contact the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585) to find out what you need to do to get this assistance. NOTE: Any money you may get from FEMA that you use for costs that will be reimbursed by your insurance settlement must be repaid to FEMA when you get your insurance payment.
If your car had uninsured damage caused by the disaster, you may be eligible for money to help repair or replace it. Certain requirements apply, but you must register with FEMA first to determine eligibility.
Disaster survivors affected by the Oregon wildfires and straight-line winds can also get personalized mitigation advice to repair and rebuild safer and stronger from a FEMA Mitigation Specialist. For information on how to rebuild safer and stronger or to inquire as to your new flood risk following a fire near you, email FEMA-R10-MIT@fema.dhs.gov, a FEMA Hazard Mitigation specialist will respond to survivor inquiries.
If you applied for a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loan for the COVID-19 disaster, be aware those loans are separate from SBA loans for the wildfire disasters. You should apply if FEMA refers you to SBA for the recent wildfires. You may be eligible for separate loans for both the COVID-19 and wildfire disasters. The deadline to apply for an SBA low-interest disaster loan is also Nov. 30, 2020. Applicants may be eligible for an increase of up to 20 percent in their SBA property damage loan amount to pay for measures to make their property more resistant to future disaster damage. Survivors can find out more and apply for a loan at disasterloanassistance.sba.gov. For additional assistance, contact the SBA’s Customer Service Line. Customer service representatives are available to assist individuals and business owners, answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each person complete their electronic loan application. The SBA Customer Service Line is open 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST daily. Call 800-659-2955 or email DCS@sba.gov. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.
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The SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners, and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.
Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585). Those who use a Relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption or CapTel should update FEMA with their assigned number for that service. They should be aware phone calls from FEMA may come from an unidentified number. Multilingual operators are available. (Press 2 for Spanish)
Follow FEMA Region 10 on Twitter and LinkedIn for the latest updates and visit fema.gov for more information.
FEMA's mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.
PENSACOLA, Fla. – Northwest Florida residents who have uninsured losses resulting from Hurricane Sally have until Dec. 1, 2020 to register with FEMA for assistance.
Survivors in Bay, Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties can register with FEMA in several ways:
Calling 800-621-3362 (800-462-7585 TTY). Multilingual operators are available. Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption or CapTel should provide FEMA with their specific phone number assigned to that service.
Dec. 1, 2020 also is the deadline to apply to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for low-interest disaster loans for physical property damage. The deadline for working capital applications for small businesses and eligible nonprofit organizations is July 2, 2021.
For additional information about SBA disaster loans, the loan application process, or for help completing the SBA application, visit SBA’s secure website at https://DisasterLoanAssistance.sba.gov/. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or email FOCE-Help@sba.gov to make an appointment for assistance over the phone. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call 800-877-8339.
For in-person assistance with an SBA disaster loan, visit the Business Recovery Centers, open seven days a week, 8 a.m.-8 p.m., at East Pensacola Heights Clubhouse, 3208 E. Gonzalez St., Pensacola, FL 32503; or Bridgeway Center, Building C, 205 Shell Ave., Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548.
REGION I –Connecticut will receive $4,690,101 from FEMA for support of costs due to COVID-19. The funds will go to Stamford Hospital for increased levels of temporary nursing and independent community medical doctors and staff in response to increased COVID-19 admission rates in Fairfield County. Additional costs incurred include the setup of a temporary facility to secure additional patient beds, providing drive-through patient COVID-19 testing, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and supplies to all frontline staff and patients.
This grant is funded through FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) Grant program which reimburses communities for actions taken in the immediate response and during recovery from a disaster. Eligible applicants include states, federally recognized tribal governments, U.S. territories, local governments, and certain private non-profit organizations. The grant applications are submitted from the state, which coordinates the process with local governments.
“FEMA’s Public Assistance grant program is essential to helping communities recovering from a federally declared disaster get back on their feet,” said Regional Administrator and Federal Coordinating Officer Captain Russ Webster, who oversees FEMA’s operations in Connecticut. The state’s agency works with FEMA during all phases of the PA program and conducts final reviews of FEMA-approved projects.
“This funding is just one of the positive results of the partnership between FEMA and the State of Connecticut through their Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security,” concluded Webster.
FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides grant funding to state and local governments, and certain types of private non-profit organizations, so that communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies. FEMA obligates funding for this project directly to the state of Connecticut.
REGION I –Rhode Island will receive $1,270,094 from FEMA for five sheltering programs set up by the Rhode Island Department of Administration in response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. The programs included sheltering for frontline workers, quarantining and isolation for adults who had either tested positive or been exposed to COVID-19, and non-congregate sheltering for segments of the homeless population and individuals typically in congregate care settings.
This grant is funded through FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) Grant program which reimburses communities for actions taken in the immediate response and during recovery from a disaster. Eligible applicants include states, federally recognized tribal governments, U.S. territories, local governments, and certain private non-profit organizations. The grant applications are submitted from the state, which coordinates the process with local governments.
“FEMA’s Public Assistance grant program is essential to helping communities recovering from a federally declared disaster get back on their feet,” said Regional Administrator and Federal Coordinating Officer Captain Russ Webster, who oversees FEMA’s operations in Rhode Island. Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency works with FEMA during all phases of the PA program and conducts final reviews of FEMA-approved projects.
“This funding is just one of the positive results of the partnership between FEMA and the State of Rhode Island through Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency,” concluded Webster.
FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides grant funding to state and local governments, and certain types of private non-profit organizations, so that communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies. FEMA obligates funding for this project directly to the state of Rhode Island.
To date, FEMA has obligated more than $55.6 million to Rhode Island under the Public Assistance program.
BATON ROUGE, La.— Qualifying houses of worship in Louisiana may be eligible for FEMA grants to cover hurricane-related expenses.
Grants through FEMA’s Public Assistance Program can cover costs to repair or replace facilities damaged during a disaster. The program is funded by FEMA and administered through the Louisiana Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Office (GOHSEP).
The Request for Public Assistance (RPA) deadline for Hurricane Laura is Nov. 30. The RPA deadline for Hurricane Delta is Dec. 15.
FEMA defines religious facilities as a church, synagogue, mosque, temple or other house of worship without regard to the religious character of the facility.
Help with repairs and replacement costs may be available to houses of worship in parishes designated for the FEMA Public Assistance Program
To be an eligible applicant, a house of worship must:
Be owned or operated by a nonprofit.
Have damage caused by Hurricane Laura and/or Delta.
Have either not received funding or received insufficient funding after applying for a U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loan to repair or replace a facility (see below).
Provide a current ruling letter from the IRS granting tax exemption under Section 501 (c) (d) or (e) of the IRS Code, or provide documentation from the state confirming it is a nonprofit.
Houses of worship may contact GOHSEP for details on how to apply for FEMA assistance. They can get more information or submit their Request for Public Assistance online by visiting louisianapa.com.
U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest disaster loans are available for certain nonprofits with up to $2 million of property damage.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – As California continues to recover from wildfires, FEMA urges everyone who experiences a power outage to be safe when using portable generators.
Do not use generators inside your home, garage, basement, crawlspace or any partially enclosed area. Keep them outside of your living spaces and away from doors, windows and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come inside. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that could kill you, your family and your pets.
Be sure to check on your family and neighbors who may be using generators to remind them about the importance of keeping generators outside of their home and other enclosed spaces.
If you are using a generator for any reason, this information can help keep you and your household safe:
Place generators at least 20 feet away from your home, downwind away from open doors, windows and vents.
Before refueling it, turn off the generator and let it cool for 15-20 minutes.
Never try to power the house wiring by plugging the generator into a wall outlet; instead, use a heavy-duty, outdoor extension cord to plug appliances into generators.
Do not use generators in rain or wet conditions.
Place a fire extinguisher nearby.
Get a carbon monoxide monitor for your home.
For additional information about generators and carbon monoxide:
Watch this generator safety video from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and FEMA that includes American Sign Language: youtube.com/watch?v=n7GIOzABRHA.
Learn about carbon monoxide from the CDC at cdc.gov/co/ or call 800-232-4636.
CHICAGO - Thanksgiving is less than a week away, and while smart travel, cooking, decorating and heating practices are always important to remember this time of year, the ongoing coronavirus pandemic means even more safety measures should be taken this holiday season.
“The safest option for celebrating Thanksgiving this year is to celebrate with people in your household,” said Kevin M. Sligh, acting regional administrator, FEMA Region 5. “As COVID-19 continues to spread, staying home is the best way to save lives. If you need to leave your home, remember to wear your mask and maintain six feet of distance between you and others.”
Keep in mind these additional tips to keep your holidays as safe as possible:
Consider alternative celebrations. While the holidays are traditionally a time to gather with friends and loved ones, consider “virtual” alternatives that allow everyone to remain safely at home. CDC has some helpful suggestions on their Thanksgiving page at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.
Be a prepared traveler. If you must travel, check travel restrictions and get your flu shot before you go. Always wear a mask in public settings and wash your hands often. If you plan to leave the state, understand the requirements for isolating or quarantining when you arrive and/or return, then plan accordingly. If you’re driving to your destination, ensure you have an emergency supply kit in your car, and if you’re packing for a flight or train ride, consider a small kit in case of emergency: flashlight, batteries, & a spare USB power bank.
Protect against home fire risks. Put working smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms on every level of your home and inside and outside sleeping areas. Change the batteries in these alarms twice per year, or per manufacturer’s guidelines.
Practice smart cooking. Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, broiling, or boiling food and turn pot handles toward the back of the stove so they won’t get bumped. Clean cooking equipment after each use—crumbs in a toaster or grease on the stove can catch on fire.
Heat your home safely. Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from fireplaces, wood stoves, portable heaters and radiators. When you leave a room or go to bed, turn heaters off or unplug them.
Decorate with care. Nearly half of holiday decoration fires happen because decorations are placed too close to a heat source. Think about using battery-operated flameless candles this season. If that isn’t an option, place candles at least 12 inches away from anything that burns and ensure they cannot be reached by children or pets. Inspect holiday lights before you put them up and throw away light strands with frayed or pinched wires. If you’re putting up a tree inside your home, water it every day.
Montgomery, Ala. – The deadline for registering with FEMA has passed, but that does not mean FEMA is leaving. FEMA continues working with the Alabama Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) to help Alabama survivors and communities recover from the impacts caused by Hurricane Sally.
If you have registered for assistance, FEMA encourages you to keep in touch to track your case or to notify the agency of changes to your mailing or email addresses or phone numbers, and to report insurance settlements or additional damage you may have discovered since your home inspection.
Call the disaster assistance helpline at 800-621-3362 or (TTY 800-462-7585), 6 a.m. to midnight Central Time, seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.
The application deadline for a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster loan also has passed. For additional information about Alabama declaration for Hurricane Sally, call the SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339), email disastercustomerservice@SBA.gov, or visit SBA’s website at sba.gov/disaster and reference # 16674.
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