UPDATE: FEMA GIVES INFO ON ALL THINGS CURRENT

Most all news agencies have been asked to encourage any and all to contact the IRS, explain that your home was damaged in a presidentially declared disaster, and seek their advice and guidance. They may be able to provide you with some really valuable insight!!! IRS Tax Info line: 866-562-5227.

Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) and Mobile Registration Intake Center (MRIC) changes.

• Hidalgo County – The DRC at the North Side Election Warehouse, 317 North Closner Blvd., Edinburg, 78541, will close today (Tuesday, June 30) at 6 p.m. It will reopen tomorrow (Wednesday, July 1) at 9 a.m.in a new location at: University of Texas Pan American, Community Engagement and Student Success (CESS) Building, Rm 1300, 1407 East Freddy Gonzalez Drive, Edinburg, 78539.
• Navarro County – The MRIC at Navarro Center, 800 N. Main St., Corsicana, TX, 78539 will continue to operate until 6 p.m. Thursday, July 2, and will not reopen after that.
• FEMA Seeks Texans to Work at Disaster Recovery Offices.Texans have the opportunity to assist with the state’s disaster recovery from the severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding that occurred from May 4 to June 19. Dozens of qualified Texans will be offered temporary jobs as local hires of FEMA in its Austin, Denton, and Houston offices. Apply online at https://www.workintexas.com

Currently there are five job categories posted:
Administrative assistants
Applicant service representatives
Project specialist
Reports specialist
Writers

• The hiring process may take 15-25 days from the date of application. Positions and descriptions will be posted through July 24.

Disaster assistance may be available for storm survivors who are noncitizens.

• To be eligible for disaster assistance, at least one person in your household must be an eligible U.S. Citizen, Qualified Alien or noncitizen national.
• Disaster assistance may be available if a parent or guardian who is not eligible for assistance applies on behalf of a minor child who is a U.S. citizen or a qualified alien.
• Additionally, homeowners, renters, and businesses of all sizes may be eligible for low-interest disaster assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration. They must be eligible U.S. citizens or Qualified Aliens, and of legal age.
• For households in which no one is eligible for federal assistance, assistance may be available from voluntary agencies that deliver humanitarian services without regard to citizenship or immigration status.

Eligibility letters.

• FEMA routinely corresponds with applicants to let them know if they qualify for federal disaster assistance. The most common reasons for getting a determination of ineligibility are adequate insurance, insufficient storm-related damage, or missing documentation needed to complete the assistance evaluation process. Anyone who receives a letter of ineligibility can call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621- 3362, or (TTY) 800-462-7585 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) to check the status of his or her application, update contact numbers or ask any questions. Users of 711 or Video Relay Services should call 800-621-3362.

Applicants have 60 days to appeal a letter of ineligibility.

• Anyone who receives a letter of ineligibility from FEMA may appeal the decision and ask for a review their case. All formal appeals must be filed in writing to FEMA and submitted within 60 days of receipt of a letter denying assistance. Prior to the deadline, an applicant may call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 or visit a Disaster Recovery Center to discuss the letter. To find the nearest DRC, go online to http://asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm
• Requirements when sending a letter:

The 9-digit FEMA registration number must be on each page and on supporting documentation.

• The letter must include applicant’s full name, address of the damaged property, current contact information, disaster number (DR-4223-TX), last four digits of their Social Security number, their birth date, and place of birth.
• If someone other than the applicant or the co-applicant is writing the letter, a signed statement from the applicant must be included affirming that the person may act on their behalf.
• The applicant must sign the letter of appeal.
• The letter must be: 1) notarized, 2) or include a copy of a state issued identification card, 3) or include the following statement: I hereby declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.
• Applicants should keep a copy of the appeal letter for their records.
• Where and how to send the letter:
• Mail to FEMA – Individuals & Households Program, National Processing Service, Center, P.O.. Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055 or Fax to 800-827-8112 Attention: FEMA – Individuals & Households Program.

Note from Robin: Please encourage anyone doing an appeal letter to provide contractor’s estimates on damages if appropriate, and remember, if perhaps there were no damages visible at the time the inspector was there but there is now mold climbing the walls – call the 800# back or visit a DRC and report the damages. Keep FEMA updated.

Dallas County outreach.

• Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers are in Dallas County communities to help register anyone with damage from May 4 to June 19 storms and flooding. At the mobile DRCs, people can speak with state, local, FEMA and SBA recovery specialists, who can answer questions and provide information on the types of assistance available. For exact locations and times, the public can call toll-free 877-454-5362 or go online to http://go.usa.gov/3vpVR

Unemployment Assistance

• People who lost work due to the storms and floods that occurred from May 4 to June 19 may apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance through Texas Workforce Commission at 800-939-6631 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Monday through Friday. The deadlines are:
• July 1 for Harris, Hays and Van Zandt counties (Final day to apply)
• July 8 for the 20 IA counties added on June 5
• July 17 for the 7 IA counties added on June 16
• July 27 for Fayette County, added on June 24

Other Disaster Assistance Information and Referral Service

• Texans seeking information about disaster related services and unmet needs should call 211, a statewide information and referral service. Anyone using a relay service should call 877-541-7905.
• Complete SBA loan applications. Flood survivors receiving an application for disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration should fill them out and return them, even if they don’t feel they qualify. If the SBA determines an applicant is not eligible for a loan, the applicant may be referred for further disaster assistance. However, failure to return the application halts that process.
• Register for FEMA assistance. The registration deadline for all 31 designated IA counties is July 28, 2015. Registering with any other agency does not register a survivor for assistance from FEMA.

There are several ways to register:

• Online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov
• By calling 800-621-FEMA (3362).
• The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.
• Multilingual operators are available.
• Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 800-462-7585 directly.
• For those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.
• By visiting a FEMA Mobile Registration Intake Center or state-FEMA Disaster Recovery Center in your area.

Disaster Survivor Assistance Crews

• Today, Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) crews are working in Bastrop, Caldwell, Denton, Eastland, Fort Bend, Grayson, Guadalupe, Harris, Hays, Henderson, Hidalgo, Johnson, Liberty, Milam, Montague, Navarro, Rusk, Travis, Walker, Williamson and Wise counties.
• DSA team members wear blue FEMA shirts and have photo IDs.
• The teams answer questions about the types of assistance available, help survivors apply for state and federal assistance, update an applicant’s contact information and make referrals to whole community partners.

The Benefits of Registering

• Disaster assistance may include grants to help pay for temporary housing, emergency home repairs, uninsured and underinsured personal property losses, and medical, dental and funeral expenses caused by the disaster, along with other serious disaster-related expenses.
• The U.S. Small Business Administration offers low-interest disaster recovery loans to homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes. These loans cover uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

Why You Should Apply Even if You Have Insurance

• You should apply for assistance even if you have insurance because you may find that you have unmet needs after you receive your settlement.
• If you have not already contacted your insurance agent to file a claim, do so right away. Insurance is your main source for money to put your life back in order after a disaster.
• However, insurance does not cover many expenses, so disaster programs may be able to help.
• You should not wait for your insurance settlement to apply for a low-interest disaster loan from the SBA.

After You Apply

• After you apply, FEMA will send you a copy of your application and a copy of “Help After a Disaster: Applicant’s Guide to the Individuals and Households Program,” which will answer many of your questions.
• This useful publication explains how FEMA’s disaster assistance program works; describes additional kinds of help you may qualify for from other federal, state and voluntary agencies; and gives you many important tips on how best to make all these programs work for you.
• If your home or its contents are damaged and you are uninsured or underinsured, a FEMA inspector may contact you within about 10 days after you apply to schedule a time to meet with you at your damaged home. All inspectors carry photo ID that shows they are affiliated with the U.S. government.
• We have 62 inspectors in the field. 16,544 inspections have been issued, with
• 15,630 inspections returned to FEMA, 94 percent completion rate.

Individual Assistance Update

• As of June 29 COB, 22,158 Texas households have registered for state and federal assistance. Of that total, 21,010 are in eligible counties and 1,148 have registered from undesignated counties.
• We continue to encourage all Texans who have suffered property damage or losses due to the recent storms and flooding to call the toll free number to report losses.
• Total approved: Nearly $34.2 million.
• Housing Assistance: More than $29.2 million.
• her Needs Assistance: More than $4.9 million.

U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Recovery Loans

• Disaster recovery loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration are the primary source of federal funds to help homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations with long-term rebuilding, restoration and replacement of their disaster-damaged private property. For this disaster to date:
• The SBA has approved nearly $27.8 million in recovery loans, 433 to homeowners and 14 to businesses.
• These low-interest loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.
• For more information or any questions about SBA disaster programs, businesses and residents should contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800 659-2955 (Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339, or visit SBA’s website.)

National Flood Insurance Call Center

FEMA has launched a National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) call center to serve and support NFIP policyholders. The phone number is 800-621-3362. The call center is staffed from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Specialists help service claims, provide general information about policies and flood insurance, and offer technical assistance to aid in recovery.

Bastrop County
ROTC Building/Bastrop High School 1200 Cedar St., Bastrop, TX 78602
Hours of operation 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily until further notice

Caldwell County
Martindale Baptist Church
12351 Highway 142, Martindale, TX 78655
Hours of operation 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily until further notice

Fort Bend County
Fort Bend County Rosenberg Annex
4520 Reading Road, Rosenberg, TX 77471
Hours of operation: Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and closed Sunday.

Harris County
Leonel Castillo Community Center 2101 South Street, Houston, TX 77009
Hours of operation until further notice: Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Sunday- closed
Bayland Community Center
6400 Bissonnet St. Houston, TX 77074
Hours of operation until further notice: Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Sunday- closed

Danforth Junior High School
200 Texan Blvd, Wimberley, TX 78676
Hours of operation 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily until further notice
San Marcos Crossroads Building Classrooms 17 and 18
501 South LBJ Drive, San Marcos, TX 78666
Hours of operation 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily until further notice

Hidalgo County
The DRC at 317 North Closner Blvd., Edinburg, Texas 78541, will reopen at a new location July 1 at University of Texas Pan American, Community Engagement and Student Success (CESS) Building, Rm. 1300, 1407 East Freddy Gonzalez Drive, Edinburg 78539. Hours: Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Williamson County
A DRC opened in the Taylor City Hall, 400 Porter Street, Taylor, TX 76574.Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, closed on Sunday

Navarro County

Navarro Center, 800 N. Main Street Corsicana, Texas 75110. Hours of Operation: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. It will continue to operate until 6 p.m. Thursday, July 2, and will not reopen after that.

Public Assistance

• On June 9, 51 counties were added to the seven that had already been designated for Public Assistance, for a total of 58 counties eligible for PA.
• PA designated counties: Angelina, Archer, Atascosa, Bastrop, Baylor, Blanco, Bowie, Burleson, Caldwell, Cass, Cherokee, Clay, Comal, Comanche, Cooke, Denton, Fannin, Fayette, Gaines, Garza, Gillespie, Grayson, Grimes, Harris, Harrison, Hays, Henderson, Hood, Houston, Jasper, Johnson, Kaufman, Kendall, Lamar, Lee, Liberty, Lynn, Madison, Milam, Montague, Nacogdoches, Navarro, Newton, Polk, Refugio, Rusk, Sabine, San Jacinto, Travis, Tyler, Uvalde, Van Zandt, Walker, Wharton, Williamson, Wilson, Wise and Zavala.
• Damage assessments are continuing in other areas, and additional counties may be designated for assistance after the assessments are fully completed by state/federal teams.

PA Process:

• Requests for Public Assistance: PA applicants must file Requests for Public Assistance (“RPAs”) within 30 days of the date of the original federal disaster declaration or the date on which their county was subsequently added to the original declaration.
• Applicant Briefings: The state of Texas, with FEMA support, holds a series of Applicant Briefings that provide a general overview of the PA program and an opportunity for applicants to ask questions.
• Kick-Off Meetings: Following the applicant briefings, FEMA/state PA program specialists meet with individual applicants in Kick-Off Meetings to focus on project eligibility and requirements for documenting expenses for reimbursement.
• Reimbursement: FEMA Public Assistance reimbursement comes to Texas communities through a cost-sharing partnership among the state, the applicants and the federal government. FEMA reimburses eligible applicants for 75 percent of their eligible costs, and the state and/or applicant cover the remaining 25 percent.

Disaster Timeline

• May 29: Initial Notice of Federal disaster declaration for Texas.Harris, Hays and Van Zandt counties are designated for Individual Assistance. Cooke, Gaines, Grimes, Harris, Hays, Navarro, and Van Zandt counties are designated for Public Assistance.

June 5: Amendment adds 20 more counties for Individual Assistance:

• Bastrop, Blanco, Caldwell, Denton, Eastland, Fort Bend, Gaines, Guadalupe, Henderson, Hidalgo, Johnson, Milam, Montague, Navarro, Rusk, Smith, Travis, Wichita, Williamson and Wise.
• June 9: Amendment adds 51 more counties for Public Assistance: Angelina, Archer, Atascosa, Bastrop, Baylor, Blanco, Bowie, Burleson, Caldwell, Cass, Cherokee, Clay, Comal, Comanche, Denton, Fannin, Fayette, Garza, Gillespie, Grayson, Harrison, Henderson, Hood, Houston, Jasper, Johnson, Kaufman, Kendall, Lamar, Lee, Liberty, Lynn, Madison, Milam, Montague, Nacogdoches, Newton, Polk, Refugio, Rusk, Sabine, San Jacinto, Travis, Tyler, Uvalde, Walker, Wharton, Williamson, Wilson, Wise and Zavala.
• June 16: Amendment adds 7 more counties for Individual Assistance: Cooke, Dallas, Fannin, Grayson, Liberty, Nueces, and Walker.
• June 19: Amendment closes incident period. (May 4-June 19)
• June 24: Amendment adds one more county for Individual Assistance: Fayette