NEW YORK – All disaster survivors have equal access to information on federal disaster assistance programs, including how to apply for them.
The state of New York and FEMA are committed to helping everyone affected by the Remnants of Hurricane Ida, including those with disabilities and access and functional needs. If you need an accommodation or assistance due to a disability or accessibility, let FEMA know when you apply for assistance or anytime during the disaster assistance process.
Residents of the Bronx, Kings, Nassau, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk and Westchester counties can apply for assistance from FEMA for home repairs and other disaster-related necessary expenses. Damage or losses to your primary residence must have occurred Sept. 1-3.
To apply for FEMA assistance: Visit DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA mobile app or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (711/VRS). If you use a relay service, such as video relay service, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. Helpline operators are on duty seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and can connect you to a specialist who speaks your language.
You will need the following information when you apply:
Name and Social Security Number of the primary applicant
Name and SSN of secondary/co-applicant (encouraged but not required)
Current and pre-disaster address
Names of all occupants of the pre-disaster household
Current contact information
Types of insurance held by the household
Household pre-disaster annual gross income
Losses caused by the disaster
Banking information for direct deposit or financial assistance, if requested
FEMA has opened Disaster Recovery Centers where you can meet face-to-face with FEMA staff and representatives of other federal and state agencies who can provide information about disaster assistance that may be available to you. To find a recovery center near you, visit DRC Locator (fema.gov).
FEMA can also provide interpreters, real-time captioning, and information in alternate formats such as Braille, large print, audio and electronic versions. The agency also provides free services to help people communicate with FEMA staff and understand FEMA programs. Among the aids are:
Information available in accessible electronic formats on FEMA’s website and social media
Qualified American Sign Language interpreters
Qualified multilingual interpreters
Information written in multiple languages
Newspapers, radio, television, social media, local officials and private sector partners help to share important recovery information.
For referrals to agencies that support community-specific need, contact your nearest 211 Counts center at https://www.211nys.org/contact-us. In New York City, call 311. For outlying areas, call 211.
For more online resources as well as FEMA downloadable pamphlets and other aids, visit DisasterAssistance.gov and click “Information.”
WASHINGTON -- FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell announced today that President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. made additional federal emergency aid available for the state of Louisiana for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged as a result of Hurricane Ida.
Under the major disaster declaration issued for Louisiana on Aug. 29, 2021, President Biden authorized a 100% federal cost share for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, for a period of 30 days from the start of the incident period.
President Biden has now authorized an extension of the period of 100% federal funding for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, from 30 to 45 days from the start of the incident period. The federal share for all categories of Public Assistance, including direct federal assistance, has been increased to 90% of the total eligible costs, except for assistance previously authorized at 100%.
In addition to the cost share adjustment for Hurricane Ida, the President also authorized an extension of the period of 100% federal funding for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, from 30 to 45 days from the start of the incident period for Hurricane Laura.
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – FEMA will open a Document Drop-off Center in Haywood County Tuesday, Sept. 28 for survivors of Tropical Storm Fred to submit any required supporting documents for their disaster assistance application. Survivors may also register with FEMA at the sites.
The drop-off center in Haywood County will be located at:
East Fork Baptist Church, 13175 Cruso Rd, Canton, NC 28716 (Drive-thru and walk-up service)
Drop-off centers in Buncombe and Transylvania counties are also open. They are located at:
Buncombe County Interchange Bldg., 59 Woodfin Place, Asheville, NC 28801(Drive-thru service only)
Transylvania Public Library, 212 S. Gaston St., Brevard, NC 28712(Walk-up service only)
Hours for all three centers are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. They will cease operation at 5 p.m. Sept. 30.
FEMA staff will be available at all sites to help with registration, scan documents, update applications or answer questions about disaster assistance. Following COVID-19 protocols, masks are required at these facilities.
Survivors who have been asked by FEMA to provide additional documents should read their FEMA letter carefully and make sure they have everything they need when they arrive at the drop-off center. Applicants do not have to visit a center to submit documents to FEMA. They can mail, fax or submit them online. Information on these options can be found in their FEMA letter.
Documents also may be submitted in any of the following ways:
Mail: FEMA Individuals and Households Program, National Processing Service Center, P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville MD 20782-7055.
Fax: 800-827-8112. Attention: FEMA.
Submit via a FEMA online account. To set up an online account, visit DisasterAssistance.gov, click on “Apply Online” and follow the directions.
Survivors can apply for disaster assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-3362, or by using the FEMA mobile app. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. Lines are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. local time, seven days a week.
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Survivors of Tropical Storm Fred in Buncombe, Haywood, and Transylvania counties who apply for disaster assistance from FEMA may be referred to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) with information on how to apply for a disaster loan. It’s important to submit the loan application as soon as possible.
SBA disaster loans are the largest source of federal disaster recovery funds for survivors. SBA offers long-term, low-interest disaster loans to businesses of all sizes, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters.
SBA disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other resources. Survivors should not wait for an insurance settlement before submitting an SBA loan application. They may discover they were underinsured for the deductible, labor and materials required to repair or replace their home.
You may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via the SBA’s secure website at disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s/ or by visiting a Business Recovery Center. Paper applications may be requested by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 TTY) or by sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. There is no cost to apply for an SBA disaster loan.
SBA is operating three Business Recovery Centers:
Haywood Community College Regional High-Tech Center, 112 Industrial Park Dr., Room 3021, Waynesville, N.C. 28786. Hours are Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m., closed Saturday and Sunday.
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, 1465 Sand Hill Rd., Suite 1054, Candler, NC 28715. Hours are Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m., closed Saturday and Sunday.
Blue Ridge Community College, Brevard Campus, Applied Technologies Building, Office #216, 45 Oak Ridge Park Drive, Brevard, NC 28712. Hours are Monday – Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., closed Saturday and Sunday. (Opens Sept. 28.)
Homeowners may be eligible for a disaster loan up to $200,000 for primary residence structural repairs or rebuilding. SBA may also be able to help homeowners and renters with up to $40,000 to replace important personal property, including automobiles damaged or destroyed in the disaster.
SBA makes physical disaster loans of up to $2 million to qualified businesses or private nonprofit organizations. These loan proceeds may be used for the repair or replacement of real property, machinery, equipment, fixtures, inventory or leasehold improvements. The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Nov. 8, 2021.
Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available to small businesses and most nonprofit organizations in Buncombe, Haywood and Transylvania counties and in the following adjacent counties: Henderson, Jackson, Madison, McDowell, Rutherford, Swain and Yancey in North Carolina; Greenville, Oconee and Pickens in South Carolinaand Cocke and Sevier in Tennessee. The deadline to file economic injury applications is June 8, 2022.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennesseans who experienced damage from the severe storms and flooding on Aug. 21 in Dickson, Hickman, Houston, and Humphreys counties may be eligible for funding for temporary rentals through FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program.
FEMA provides rental assistance if your primary place of residence is unhabitable and you do not have money to pay for housing. You must also not be receiving funding for it from another source.
FEMA’s rental assistance includes money for a security deposit and essential utilities, such as electricity and water, but not cable or Internet. The approved rental amount is based on fair market rates for your area as determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
For those who are currently receiving FEMA rental assistance and have a continuing need for it, you must contact FEMA to fill out an additional form. If you are a homeowner, the form should have been mailed to the address of your primary residence.
All those requesting extended rental assistance, will need to demonstrate the following:
Receipts canceled checks or money orders showing previous funds were used to pay for rent.
An ongoing need, which may be that suitable housing is not available, or your permanent housing plan has not been completed through no fault of your own.
You are working on a longer term or permanent housing plan.
Extensions on rental assistance may be granted for three-month periods at a time. Toward the end of three months, you must contact FEMA’s helpline to recertify. Rental assistance is available up to a maximum of 18 months from the date of the FEMA disaster declaration. Applicants must continue to work toward obtaining permanent housing to continue requesting rental assistance.
To apply to FEMA or to extend rental assistance: call FEMA’s Helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585). Lines are open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. Other ways to apply for FEMA assistance include: online through disasterassistance.gov or download the FEMA app to smartphone or tablet.
Federal and territorial partnerships continue to push hurricane recovery projects forward to make the territory’s critical service sectors more resilient against the winds and rains of future storms. Approximately $1.25 billion is obligated through FEMA’s Public Assistance Program to support permanent repairs to facilities damaged in the 2017 storms.
Critical service sectors are the most fundamental services in the community that, when stabilized, enable all other aspects of society to function. The stabilization of the power grid and ability of hospitals to stay open after disasters supports lifesaving and life-sustaining operations.
“We look forward to seeing a more resilient power grid, rebuilt public housing communities with mitigation measures to harden roofs, doors and windows and roads repaired to keep stormwater and erosion at bay in the territory. Our partnership with the territory will produce a safer and more resilient infrastructure for all Virgin Islanders and ensure the territory’s critical service sectors are stabilized quicker after future storms,” said U.S. Virgin Islands Recovery Director Kristen Hodge.
Approved funding through FEMA’s Public Assistance Program toward emergency and permanent work for critical service sectors in the U.S. Virgin Islands include:
$313.5 million for safety and security
Safety and security projects include $563,889 obligated for restoration of the tsunami early warning system on St. Croix and $895,588 for repairs to the tsunami early warning system on St. Thomas, Water Island and St. John. The territory will repair or replace 17 sirens on St. Croix composed of approximately 20-foot steel pole, solar panels, siren heads plus ancillary equipment.
The territory will repair or replace a combined 27 sirens on St. Thomas, St. John and Water Island, which includes 18 sites on St. Thomas, seven sites on St. John and two sites on Water Island.
Mitigation measures for $71,638 on St. Croix and $113,768 on St. Thomas, St. John and Water Island for the tsunami early warning sirens projects include the addition of steel poles to withstand high winds and impact from flying debris.
$851.3 million for housing
Public housing communities damaged during the 2017 storms will eventually undergo repairs with a focus on mitigation measures to make housing safer and more resilient for Virgin Islands families. FEMA has obligated $200.3 million for the Virgin Islands Housing Authority to implement permanent repairs to communities across the territory. The $200.3 million includes $4.2 million in mitigation measures.
Projects on St. Thomas include:
An obligation of $10.7 million for repairs to Michael Kirwan Terrace. Mitigation measures of $679,907 will be applied to 20 buildings at Kirwan Terrace and include the installation of stainless-steel door hardware and installation of a water diverter berm and catch basin to control the rainwater flow away from dwellings.
A combined $4.5 million for repairs to 12 apartment buildings at Tutu Hi-Rise and an obligation of $6.37 million for repairs to the Housing Authority’s central office, annex, workshop and Tutu community center. The community center project includes mitigation measures of $394,944 to install wind-resistant roof gutters, air conditioning security guards, roll-down shutters over doors and windows, and installation of 24-gauge roof and wall panels.
St. Croix housing community repairs include:
An obligation of $5.5 million for repairs to 16 structures at the David Hamilton Jackson Housing Community. Mitigation measures of $268,882 will include strengthening exterior wooden doors with stainless-steel hardware; replacing damaged aluminum gutters with steel gutters to re-direct water properly and securing exterior lighting to prevent damage by wind-blown debris.
Permanent repairs obligated for $12.9 million to the John F. Kennedy Housing Community and $7.7 million for repairs to the Marley Additions and Marley Homes. Repairs to the Marley Homes include mitigation measures of $99,477 to upgrade damaged gutters, vinyl flooring and bathroom drywall along with the addition of door weatherstripping for doors that were damaged during Hurricane Maria.
$140.3 million for health and medical
Projects to stabilize the territory’s health care infrastructure until permanent repairs could be made include the build-out of Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center’s temporary facility in Christiansted with an obligation of $110.5 million from FEMA. The temporary facility will allow Luis Hospital to maintain medical services as it works on the replacement of its main facility, which was damaged from Maria.
$1.35 billion for energy and fuel
FEMA is partnering with the V.I. Water and Power Authority (WAPA) to harden the power grid to better withstand storms and increase reliability for electricity year-round. Plans and work are accelerating across the territory to repair electrical substations, bury electrical lines and put up composite power poles.
FEMA has awarded approximately $899.1 million through its Public Assistance Program to support permanent repairs to electrical distribution systems and substations on St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix and Water Island. Assistance includes $572.8 million in for mitigation measures to strengthen the grid’s resilience to end the cycle of disaster damage and reconstruction.
WAPA plans to install 8,496 composite poles built to withstand hurricane-force winds in the territory. As of Sept. late August, 4,429 poles were installed, and the project was 52% complete.
The installation of burying electrical lines on St. John from Cruz Bay to Myrah Keating Smith Community Health Center is underway on St. John.
This past spring, a groundbreaking was held on St. Croix for three electrical underground projects for Golden Grove, Midland and at the Wilfred “Bomba” Allick Port and Transshipment Center. Work began for the container port underground project Sept. 20.
$10.4 million for communications
Projects include repairs to fiber-optic landing sites for the Virgin Islands Next Generation Network (viNGN) on St. Croix and reattachment of aerial fiber to wooden utility poles on St. Thomas. The projects are obligated for a combined $2.9 million.
The $1.8 million fiber-optic landing sites repair project on St. Croix will lead to repairs for submarine cable terrestrial routes with the reattachment of fiber to WAPA wooden utility poles between fiber-optic landing sites and the nearest Fiber Access Point at two locations.
Mitigation measures for the fiber-optic landing sites will provide shoreline armoring for the beachfront manhole that connects the Fiber Access Points to the submarine optic cable linking the Virgin Islands to one of the Atlantic/Caribbean submarine cables. Measures would also include underground cables from the manhole landing to the 12 Fiber Access Points on St. Croix. This mitigation would help ensure internet service, which also provides service for the rest of the territory, continues to operate during future storms.
The St. Thomas $1 million communications project captures permanent repairs for the aerial fiber route and the aerial lateral fiber that branch off to customer endpoints. Repairs included reattaching aerial fiber to WAPA wooden utility poles.
$151.1 million for hazardous materials
FEMA is working with the territory as well to strengthen the resilience of sites that maintain hazardous materials, pollutants and waste. Projects include the approval of $6.3 million for the V.I. Waste Management Authority to manage sewer line repairs for the Garden Street, Savan and Moravian guts on St. Thomas.
The projects will include the removal of underground sewer pipes, removal and replacement of manholes, removal and replacement of cast-iron manhole frames and covers, and removal and replacement of underground sewer pipes.
$119 million for transportation
FEMA continues to work with the territory to improve roads damaged during the 2017 hurricanes. Obligated projects include:
Two projects for the Department of Public Works to manage repairs to Williams Delight on St. Croix for a combined $3.58 million. Mitigation measures obligated for a combined $1.2 million will focus on strengthening pavement in areas prone to flooding and erosion, improving stormwater drainage and increasing the size of existing culverts.
An obligation of $5.1 million to repair roads and a commuter dock and ramp on Water Island. The watershed project includes mitigation measures of $2.4 million to strengthen pavement most prone to saturated subgrades or erosion, improve stormwater drainage to reduce the damage of saturated subgrades and erosion, and add curbs and gutters or paved roadways.
FEMA’s continued partnerships with the Office of the Governor, Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency and Virgin Islands Office of Disaster Recovery will ensure the territory builds smarter and stronger and its critical facilities such as power plants and hospitals better withstand future storms.
Haugland Virgin Islands line workers finish installation of a composite power pole in July 2021 in Upper Contant on St. Thomas. The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority is leading operations to install 2,333 composite poles on the island. FEMA/Eric Adams
RG Engineering begins demolition of five buildings in February 2021 damaged during hurricanes Irma and Maria at the Tutu Hi-Rise housing community on St. Thomas. FEMA, through its Public Assistance Program, is supporting the demolition of the buildings and eventual permanent repairs to Hi-Rise. FEMA
FEMA's Public Assistance Program is supporting the V.I. Waste Management Authority's plans for sewer line repairs for the Garden Street gut in Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas. Hurricanes Irma and Maria left Garden Street littered with debris in September 2017. FEMA/Eric Adams
WASHINGTON -- FEMA has provided over $1.146 billion to more than 174,000 people to assist with COVID-19-related funeral costs for deaths occurring on or after Jan. 20, 2020.
Eligibility determinations are not driven by state/location; instead, they are based on when the applicant submits all required documentation.
“Applications” in the below chart reflect the number of individuals who called to begin the assistance process.
Please find state-specific information below:
State/Territory
Applications
Amount Approved
Number of Awards
ALABAMA
6,872
$26,798,670
3,877
ALASKA
174
$453,893
80
AMERICAN SAMOA
Less than 10
$9,000
Less than 10
ARIZONA
4,870
$15,039,801
2,936
ARKANSAS
3,146
$11,396,853
1,787
CALIFORNIA
28,738
$114,095,249
17,513
COLORADO
2,245
$7,734,565
1,369
COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANAS
Less than 10
$4,344
Less than 10
CONNECTICUT
3,273
$15,712,718
2,260
DELAWARE
852
$3,265,184
518
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
537
$2,079,781
304
FLORIDA
19,580
$54,930,759
9,667
GEORGIA
11,397
$45,222,547
6,507
GUAM
16
$51,162
Less than 10
HAWAII
306
$915,881
158
IDAHO
639
$1,985,941
346
ILLINOIS
11,674
$51,422,185
7,499
INDIANA
4,989
$22,643,123
3,222
IOWA
2,420
$11,940,386
1,658
KANSAS
2,365
$10,138,446
1,546
KENTUCKY
4,010
$17,490,263
2,444
LOUISIANA
5,536
$22,100,355
3,203
MAINE
391
$1,188,291
219
MARYLAND
5,414
$23,317,584
3,453
MASSACHUSETTS
5,507
$25,775,338
3,697
MICHIGAN
9,333
$37,642,749
6,144
MINNESOTA
2,696
$13,234,162
1,922
MISSISSIPPI
4,758
$18,328,002
2,699
MISSOURI
5,556
$21,231,662
3,354
MONTANA
534
$1,446,249
276
NEBRASKA
1,205
$5,697,582
802
NEVADA
2,556
$7,556,391
1,357
NEW HAMPSHIRE
658
$2,694,732
443
NEW JERSEY
11,472
$51,207,146
7,363
NEW MEXICO
1,561
$4,382,896
855
NEW YORK
24,989
$105,883,281
15,255
NORTH CAROLINA
8,874
$35,358,990
5,299
NORTH DAKOTA
654
$3,418,942
454
OHIO
9,543
$42,101,577
6,488
OKLAHOMA
4,134
$16,559,039
2,571
OREGON
968
$2,674,664
504
PENNSYLVANIA
12,434
$56,112,110
8,502
PUERTO RICO
1,331
$2,335,381
643
RHODE ISLAND
1,120
$4,612,144
669
SOUTH CAROLINA
6,126
$25,505,697
3,661
SOUTH DAKOTA
693
$3,537,974
479
TENNESSEE
7,434
$31,183,778
4,505
TEXAS
26,474
$103,662,433
15,797
U. S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
32
$107,994
17
UTAH
1,139
$4,966,384
707
VERMONT
135
$565,055
94
VIRGINIA
6,140
$26,253,397
3,922
WASHINGTON
2,012
$6,168,270
1,112
WEST VIRGINIA
1,531
$5,921,154
870
WISCONSIN
4,350
$19,345,863
2,943
WYOMING
293
$1,059,709
182
* Funeral assistance data can/will change daily; the information reflects data as of 8 a.m. EDT today.
Applicants may apply by calling 844-684-6333 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. EDT, Monday through Friday. Multilingual services are available. Please note, phone calls from FEMA may come from an unidentified number. Applicants who use a relay service, such as a videophone, Innocaption or CapTel, should provide FEMA with the specific number assigned to them for that service so that agency representatives are able to contact them.
CHICAGO – Michigan homeowners and renters in Macomb and Oakland counties, who have disaster-related losses from the severe storms and flooding of June 25-26, 2021, may now apply for federal disaster assistance.
Federal assistance may include grants for temporary lodging and home repairs and other programs to help with uninsured or underinsured necessary expenses and serious, unmet needs that resulted from the disaster.
FEMA offers multiple options to apply:
Call 800-621-3362. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET, seven days a week.
If you live in Macomb or Oakland county and have already registered with FEMA since July 15, 2021, you do not need to apply again. If you’re unsure whether you’ve submitted an application, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 to verify your status.
When you apply for assistance, have the following information readily available:
A current phone number where you can be contacted;
Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying;
Your Social Security number;
A general list of damage and losses, and
Private insurance information, if available.
Individuals in Washtenaw and Wayne counties can already apply for help if they have uninsured or underinsured losses from the late June disaster. The deadline to apply is October 13, 2021. For more information about Michigan’s disaster recovery, visit FEMA’s website www.fema.gov/disaster/4607.
###
Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status. Reasonable accommodations, including translation and American Sign Language interpreters via Video Relay Service will be available to ensure effective communication with applicants with limited English proficiency, disabilities, and access and functional needs. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362 (including 711 or Video Relay). If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585.
FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.
HARRISBURG - The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and FEMA opened two Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) today in Bucks and York Counties to help those whose homes or personal property were affected by the remnants of Hurricane Ida between August 31 - September 5, 2021.
Hours of operation on Friday, September 24, 2021: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Beginning Saturday, September 25, 2021:
Monday – Friday 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday – 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
The York County DRC is closed on Sundays.
DRCs provide disaster survivors with information from Pennsylvania state agencies, FEMA, and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Survivors can get help applying for federal assistance, learn about the types of assistance available, learn about the appeals process and get updates on applications.
Visiting a Disaster Recovery Center is not required to register with FEMA. In addition to visiting a DRC, you can register by:
Call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362. Multilingual operators are available. Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 1-800-462-7585. If you use 711 or VRS (Video Relay Service) or require accommodations while visiting a center, call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free numbers are open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST.
Download the FEMA mobile app (also in Spanish), wherever you access your mobile applications.
The DRC will be accessible for individuals with disabilities and have on-site communication accessibility tools like amplified listening devices and Video Remote Interpreting. Additional accommodations can be made upon arrival. ASL interpreters and multilingual services will be available upon request. Residents can locate open disaster recovery centers in their area via the FEMA App, by texting DRC and their zip code to 4FEMA (43362) or online via FEMA’s DRC Locator.
Specialists at these temporary Disaster Recovery Centers are equipped to help individuals apply with FEMA, upload documents needed in the application process, and answer questions about specific cases. In addition, Customer Service Representatives from the Small Business Administration will also be on hand to provide program information, answer any questions and explain how to apply for SBA’s low-interest disaster loans for businesses, private non-profits, homeowners and renters.
For information about SBA’s disaster assistance, call 1-800-659-2955, email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visit SBA’s website at SBA.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard of hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.
Additional agencies and services will be present once the DRCs reach full operational capability next week. All centers will follow COVID-19 precautions and masks will be required by both FEMA specialists and survivors.
FEMA’s Individual Assistance program is designed to help survivors with immediate essential needs and to help displaced survivors find a safe, functional place to live temporarily until they can return home. Many survivors may have additional needs beyond what can be provided by FEMA. The agency works closely with state, federal, faith-based, and voluntary agencies to help match survivors who have remaining needs with other sources of assistance.
Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status. Reasonable accommodations, including translation and American Sign Language interpreters via Video Relay Service will be available to ensure effective communication with applicants with limited English proficiency, disabilities, and access and functional needs.
FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.FEMA Region3’sjurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.
WASHINGTON -- Beginning Oct. 1, FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) will begin to offer more equitable and risk informed rates.
The new premiums are the result of the program’s new pricing methodology delivering rates that are actuarily sound, equitable, easier to understand and better reflect an individual property’s flood risk.
New policies will be sold using the new methodology, and some existing policyholders may be eligible for immediate premium decreases when their policy renews.
To date, FEMA has provided more than 2.8 million quotes and trained 20,792 agents.
Potential and existing policyholders can learn their specific rates with a call to their insurance company or agent.
“The NFIP’s new rating methodology is long overdue since it hasn’t been updated in more than 40 years,” said David Maurstad, senior executive of the National Flood Insurance Program. “Now is the right time to modernize how risk is identified, priced and communicated. By doing so we empower policyholders to make informed decisions to protect their homes and businesses from life-changing flooding events that will strike in the months and years ahead due to climate change.”
Also known as Risk Rating 2.0, the new methodology uses increased technological and mapping capabilities to determine and communicate a property’s full flood risk. In addition, the new rating methodology has exposed inequities in pricing whereby some policyholders have been unjustly subsidizing other policyholders.
More Equitable Rates
The new methodology considers the cost to rebuild along with several other flood variables to determine a property’s true flood risk.
Under the legacy pricing system, every policyholder would have seen rate increases now and into the future. Beginning Oct. 1, about 23% -- or more than 1 million -- policyholders will see a decrease in their premium at the time of their policy’s renewal. These policyholders with older pre-Flood Insurance Rate Map homes have some of the highest rates in the nation under the current rating methodology.
Sharing Information with the Public
FEMA has shared information about the new methodology onFEMA.govthat explains in detail the rating system methodology as well as providing rate impacts at the state, county and ZIP code level.
Phased Rollout
Conscious of the far-reaching economic impacts of COVID-19, the agency decided to take a phased approach to rolling out the new rates:
Beginning Oct. 1, 2021
Existing National Flood Insurance Program policyholders will be able to take advantage of decreases at the time of the policy’s renewal.
New policies will be subject to the new pricing methodology, which reflects a property’s full risk rate.
Beginning, April 1, 2022
All remaining policies will be written under the new pricing plan at the time of renewal allowing these policyholders extra time to prepare.
Incremental Increases
Under the previous methodology, all policyholders received annual increases year after year without knowing their full risk rate. While some policyholders will experience a decrease under the new methodology, others will experience an increase that is commensurate with their full risk rate. By statute, most rate increases are capped at 18% per year.
Maintaining Benefits
The new methodology maintains features that have benefitted communities and flood insurance policyholders:
FEMA will continue to offer premium discounts for pre-Flood Insurance Rate Map subsidized and newly mapped properties.
Policyholders will still be able to transfer their discount to a new owner by assigning their flood insurance policy when their property changes ownership.
Discounts of 5%-45% to policyholders in communities who participate in the Community Rating System (CRS) will continue and will be extended to all policies in the community instead of just those located in the high-risk area.
Climate Change Considerations
The new methodology adapts to climate change by using the full range of flood risk across a suite of catastrophe models -- both government models and private sector models.
Because actuarial rates are based on the expected claims during the one-year policy period, they should reflect today’s risk. Future rates will be updated to reflect any changes, including climate impacts.
Policyholders who have questions about their new rate should contact their insurance company or agent.
FEMA NEWS
