Week 1: Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ

This section outlines the steps to ensure safety, contact authorities, contact insurance companies, register for federal assistance, document the damage, follow official instructions, mitigate further damage, keep records, seek local assistance, and stay patient and persistent.

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This section explains the role of FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and SBA (Small Business Administration) in providing disaster assistance, such as grants and loans, to eligible homeowners.

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The page advises homeowners to contact their insurance companies promptly, take time-date stamped photos and videos of the damage, and keep a record of all communication with insurers and agencies. It also warns homeowners to be aware of all their options before accepting any SBA disaster loan.

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The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the American Red Cross are two such organizations that provide temporary housing assistance to eligible individuals and households affected by a disaster. FEMA's Individual Assistance program provides financial assistance to homeowners and renters, while the Red Cross offers shelters if you have to evacuate your home during a disaster.

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The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) provides flood insurance to homeowners, renters, and business owners. It is designed to provide an insurance alternative to disaster assistance to meet the escalating costs of repairing damage to buildings and their contents caused by floods.

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The Disaster Home Loans program provides creditworthy homeowners with up to $200,000 to repair or restore their primary residence to its pre-disaster condition. The loans are designed to help homeowners affected by disasters who do not have the means to finance repairs or restoration themselves.

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To apply for temporary shelter assistance, you need to register with FEMA. You can register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362. Once you've registered, you'll be able to find short-term shelter options near you and work towards long-term solutions.

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The Small Business Administration (SBA) is a federal agency that provides support to small businesses and entrepreneurs. In the context of disaster recovery, the SBA offers low-interest disaster loans to homeowners and businesses to aid in recovery efforts.

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FEMA grant is financial assistance that does not need to be repaid as long as the funds are used for approved activities outlined in your grant award documentation. A loan, on the other hand, is a sum of money that must be repaid with interest.

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Contact your insurance company promptly to initiate the claims process. Make sure to document the damage by taking photos and keeping records of all communication with your insurer.

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Volunteer groups like the Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity provide disaster relief services, including temporary housing assistance. They also play a significant role in rebuilding communities and restoring infrastructure.

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If the damage is severe and your home is not safe to inhabit or you are unsure, evacuate immediately and seek temporary shelter with friends, family, or at a designated emergency shelter. The safety of you and your family should be the top priority.

More on this topic: Shelter Assistance.

Ensure you have enough food supplies on hand. Whenever someone offers you food or the opportunity to store it, accept it, even if you don't think you need it right away.

More on this topic: Food Assistance.

If you hear about food distribution centers set up nearby, make sure to assign at least one person from your household to go there for hot meals 2 to 3 times a day.

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Certain food services operate from mobile units, and you'll need to listen for their announcements or updates. These units don't follow fixed routes and don't visit the same places frequently. Connect with your online community to locate these mobile food trucks, enabling you to meet them and obtain extra meals.

More on this topic: Food Assistance.

Food assistance programs, also known as SNAP, are managed at the state level and are separate from the FEMA process. FEMA later reimburses the state for providing this aid to disaster survivors. This assistance can be provided within 1 to 14 days following the disaster.

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Major faith-based volunteer groups that respond with food aid after disasters include the Salvation Army, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, Catholic Charities USA, Mennonite Disaster Service, Lutheran Disaster Response, and Samaritan's Purse.

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Securing shelter is your immediate priority. Whether it's staying in your car, setting up a tent in your front yard, hunkering down in your recreational trailer, or seeking refuge with friends and family, it's crucial to establish short-term shelter, which may last anywhere from 1 to 30 days, to provide you with the necessary time to find a long-term housing solution that will be offered by FEMA and HUD for up to 22 to 32 months if needed.

More on this topic: Shelter Assistance.

FEMA's transitional shelter program will pay for your hotel stay while you are displaced only after you register and qualify for TSA. Hotels and motels that provide rooms paid by FEMA vouchers require FEMA registration.

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Visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) to talk with someone in person for guidance or information.

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The Red Cross offers shelters if you have to evacuate your home during a disaster.

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The FCC Dial 211 for Essential Community Services program provides basic human needs resources, including food and clothing banks, shelters, rent assistance, and utility assistance.

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Various organizations and agencies have a role in providing prescriptions and healthcare to disaster survivors in the aftermath of emergencies. These include the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), local public health departments, healthcare providers and hospitals, pharmaceutical companies and pharmacies, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

More on this topic: Medical Assistance.

HHS / ASPR is responsible for public health and healthcare services. During disasters, agencies within HHS, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), work to provide medical support and resources to affected communities.

More on this topic: Medical Assistance.

MRC units are community-based volunteer organizations that assist in public health emergency responses. They can provide medical services, including prescription assistance and healthcare, to disaster survivors.

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Local health departments often play a crucial role in disaster response by providing medical services and coordinating with healthcare providers to ensure access to prescriptions and healthcare for survivors.

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Organizations like Direct Relief, Americares, and International Medical Corps specialize in providing medical assistance, including prescriptions, healthcare services, and medical supplies, during disasters.

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The Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) program offers temporary benefits to individuals who have lost their employment or self-employment directly due to a major disaster. This assistance is available to those who do not qualify for regular unemployment insurance (UI).

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The eligibility for DUA is determined by the state UI agency, which first checks if individuals qualify for regular UI benefits. If they are eligible for regular UI benefits, they will receive those instead of DUA.

More on this topic: Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA).

The U.S. Department of Labor oversees the DUA program and collaborates with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) within the Department of Homeland Security. The administration of DUA is carried out by state UI agencies acting as representatives of the Federal government whenever a disaster declaration, including DUA, is issued for "individual assistance".

More on this topic: Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA).

A "Major Disaster" encompasses any significant natural or man-made catastrophe, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, or other incidents like explosions or natural gas leaks. It leads to a Presidential declaration of a disaster. Such a declaration is issued when it's established that governmental aid is necessary for communities and individuals who have been directly impacted by the disaster. Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) becomes accessible when the declaration includes provisions for individual assistance, including DUA.

More on this topic: Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA).

Upon the request of a state Governor or Tribal Governor/Chief, the President has the authority to declare a major disaster in the state. This declaration specifies the areas impacted by the disaster and may grant authorization for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). Public announcements are issued to inform the public of the availability of DUA.

More on this topic: Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA).

One of the following conditions of unemployment must have occurred as a direct result of the disaster to qualify for DUA: the individual has had a week of unemployment following the date the major disaster began; the individual is unable to reach his/her place of employment; the individual was scheduled to start work and the job no longer exists or the individual was unable to reach the job; the individual became the breadwinner or major support because the head of the household died as a direct result of the disaster; or the individual cannot work because of an injury caused as a direct result of the disaster.

More on this topic: Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA).

In order to be eligible for DUA, individuals must not be eligible for regular UI; be unemployed as a direct result of the disaster; be able and available for work (unless injured as a direct result of the disaster); filed an application for DUA within 30 days of the public announcement of DUA availability; and have not refused an offer of employment in a suitable position.

More on this topic: Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA).

To file a claim, individuals who are unemployed as a direct result of the disaster should contact their State Unemployment Insurance agency. Applications must be filed within 30 days of the announcement of DUA availability in the state, following the filing method used by their state UI agency (in-person, mail, telephone, or internet).

More on this topic: Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA).

The individual will need to provide proof (e.g., income tax return, bank statements) to document employment or self-employment or to document work that was to begin on or after the date of the disaster. If proof of employment cannot be provided at the time the claim is filed, individuals have 21 calendar days from the time the claim was filed to meet this requirement.

More on this topic: Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA).

The weekly benefit amount (WBA) will be based on the gross wages of the individual. If the individual is self-employed, the weekly benefit amount will be based on the net earnings (income) from self-employment. Generally, benefits are calculated using the same formula used for state UI benefits; however, if the individual qualifies for less than 50 percent of the state average UI WBA, the WBA will be increased to 50 percent of the state’s average WBA, with certain exceptions for part-time workers.

More on this topic: Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA).

DUA benefits are generally paid for up to 26 weeks, beginning with the first week following the date the major disaster began, and ending with the 26th week following the date the major disaster is declared by the President.

More on this topic: Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA).

FEMA provides the funding for DUA benefit payments and the costs for states to administer the program. DUA payments are made by state UI agencies to eligible individuals unemployed as a direct result of the disaster.

More on this topic: Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA).

Disaster Debt refers to the additional financial obligations that a household takes on to recover from a major disaster.

More on this topic: Managing Disaster Debt.

In cases of substantial damage, your flood insurance may pay out the full amount with a two-party check, with your home's first lien holder (mortgage) listed. The mortgage handler may use the funds to pay off your mortgage, potentially leaving you without sufficient funds for reconstruction or repair if the insurance amount was less than the full reconstruction cost.

More on this topic: Managing Disaster Debt.

A "Forced Mortgage Payoff" occurs when, to safeguard their investment, your mortgage handler uses your flood insurance proceeds to pay off your mortgage without further consultation, especially if the home is substantially damaged. This can leave you with limited funds for rebuilding.

More on this topic: Managing Disaster Debt.

Understanding discretionary income is crucial for making well-informed financial choices regarding your recovery process. It enables you to allocate funds for crucial repairs and disaster-related expenses without resorting to additional debt. It's important to maintain a minimum of 15% discretionary income each month to avoid the risk of defaulting on any new loans.

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Your disaster debt burden can be calculated before a major event by reviewing your insurance coverage. This involves reviewing and adjusting the estimated expense for replacing your home (including demolition and new construction), considering disaster mitigation requirements, building codes, and the cost per square foot for new construction with mitigation and green building practices.

More on this topic: Managing Disaster Debt.

"Guaranteed Replacement Cost" coverage is an insurance option that ensures your policy covers the full cost of complete reconstruction in the event of a major disaster, even if material and labor costs increase significantly. This type of policy coverage needs to be specifically requested from your insurance provider.

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If your insurance doesn't cover the full cost, you can gather additional funds using savings, retirement funds, private loans, or borrowing from family. You can also apply for federal financial assistance in the form of grants from state-managed HUD CDBG-DR programs or apply for an SBA Disaster Loan (though accepting an SBA loan may disqualify you from certain HUD CDBG-DR grant programs).

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Homeowners should conduct a daily health and safety briefing for all individuals present on their property, pinpoint specific areas where personal protective equipment (PPE) is required, and either supply the necessary gear or instruct workers to bring their own. They should also have a legally binding waiver that absolves them of any liability in case of accidents or injuries involving volunteer groups or individuals.

More on this topic: Community Efforts.

Current sign-in sheet categories should include: First and Last name, identification used, medical conditions and physical limitations, medical insurance type of coverage, and indemnity cause acknowledgment to hold harmless in the event of an accident and/or injury. This information is crucial for communicating with first responders in case of an injury.

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Generally, standard homeowners insurance policies should encompass liability coverage for incidents involving volunteers. However, if this isn't the case, consulting your insurance company is recommended to obtain appropriate coverage to safeguard against potential liability claims and legal proceedings.

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Not for Profit Organizations providing volunteers often have robust screening, training, and comprehensive information on indemnification waivers. Unaffiliated individuals volunteering directly to you may offer specialized assistance, but it is up to the homeowner to do their due diligence and vet the person, as the responsibility falls on the homeowner if a claim is filed.

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The FEMA Sequence of Delivery dictates the order in which disaster survivors receive assistance from FEMA and relief partners. It aims to ensure applicants receive all entitled assistance, adhering to FEMA policy and federal regulations, and preventing duplicative benefits.

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The order is: Emergency Assistance from Voluntary Agencies (Food, Shelter, Clothing, Medical); Private and Federally Secured Insurance Coverage (Homeowner, Renter, Flood); Long-Term and Short-Term Housing Assistance (Lodging Expense Reimbursement, Temporary Rental, Shelter in Place Repairs, Replacement Assistance, Temporary Housing, Lease); Other Needs Assistance (ONA) - Non-Income Based, Non SBA Dependent Items (Funeral, Medical, Dental, Child Care, Critical Needs Assistance); SBA Disaster Assistance for Home and personal property loans; Other Needs Assistance (ONA) - Income Based; Other Needs Assistance (ONA) - Governor Allowed; Unmet Needs combined with Other Needs Assistance (ONA) - Income Based (HUD CDBG-DR grants); and Unmet Needs - Federal and State programs funded by US Taxpayers (forgivable loans, loan interest loans, low-income business loans).

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The FEMA disaster sequence of assistance delivery ensures that survivors receive aid in a specific order, preventing the provision of duplicative benefits or services at any time during the federally funded recovery process. This serves as a checksum process to protect American taxpayers from fraud and abuse of federal dollars provided by taxpayers.

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