As wildfires continue to burn homes across Los Angeles County, thousands of residents are being forced to examine the wreckage and answer important questions. “What happens now?”
There may be a chance to rebuild and start anew. Uninsured homeowners and renters, or those whose insurance policies do not cover basic needs, may be eligible for assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Federal funding to help fire victims in the county was made possible after President Biden approved a major disaster declaration last week. The agency has offered to help break down the application process and screen for fraud.
How does FEMA work?
FEMA works with state, local, tribal, and territorial governments to assist individuals and businesses during natural disasters.
The agency provides grants for temporary housing and home repairs, as well as low-cost loans for uninsured property losses, according to a White House news release. Forms of assistance include disaster relief, food, shelter, insurance, livelihood assistance, loans, and mental health counseling.
FEMA’s website allows individuals to search for specific assistance through filter options.
What are my housing finance assistance options?
According to FEMA, the Individuals and Households Program (IHP) provides financial assistance for disaster housing needs to eligible residents. Housing finance assistance options include:
Rental Assistance — Helps you rent short-term housing. Accommodation Refunds — Refunds for emergency stays in short-term accommodation. Home Repair Grant — Funds to repair access routes to your home, such as driveways, roads, and bridges. Home Replacement Assistance — Money to replace the primary home you own and live in.
How do I apply for assistance?
To apply for assistance, visit Disasterassistance.gov and click Apply Now. The website will ask you for your zip code or state, county, and city. As you type, disaster options will appear. Click the appropriate option and select Next.
On the next page, we will ask you questions about your needs to determine possible assistance with home repairs, temporary housing, or property damage to appliances, furniture, and vehicles. Individuals may be eligible for assistance with child care, medical care, lodging, moving, and funeral expenses.
Individuals who have experienced business loss, property damage, or economic loss may be eligible for assistance through the U.S. Small Business Administration or other agencies listed on FEMA’s website.
What are the next steps after applying for assistance?
Once you apply for assistance, your application will be reviewed. Inspections may be required to determine damage to your home or personal property due to the disaster.
Inspections can only be conducted when the homeowner, co-applicant, or renter is present. You may also designate another person to meet with the FEMA inspector, but you must provide the agency with a written copy of this designation. If you do not have access to your home, you can meet with the inspector at a neutral location.
Before testing, FEMA recommends that individuals do the following:
File a claim if you have insurance. If it is safe to do so, start cleaning up your home. Take photos of the damage. Make a list of your losses. Keep your receipts to track the costs of the fire.
FEMA staff and inspectors may receive multiple calls over several days from unknown or restricted phone numbers. During your call with the inspector, note the following:
Inspector Name Phone Date Date and Time of Inspection Inspector Phone Number
To verify the legitimacy of an inspector, call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. with questions about the inspector or the documents the inspector requested. You can. If FEMA is unable to contact you to verify your property damage, your application will not be able to proceed.
What you need to know about the inspection process
Once the inspection is scheduled, applicants must have the following information ready:
Photo identification One proof of ownership or occupancy A list of household members who were living in the home at the time of the disaster A list of all damage to the property due to the disaster An insurance policy and any additional documents requested by the inspector
Documents proving ownership or occupancy can be uploaded online with your application. For individuals who are unable to provide the required documentation, FEMA may accept a written self-declaration as a last resort. The statement must include:
The address of the disaster-damaged residence. The length of time you or your co-applicant lived in the disaster-damaged home as your primary residence prior to the Presidential Disaster Declaration. The name and signature of you or your co-applicant.
Written statement prompts are available on FEMA’s website.
Beware of scams. GoFundMe may be a scam
Applicants should be aware of the possibility of fraud in this disaster. Official FEMA inspectors always wear official government badges to identify themselves. You may be asked to show identification.
Inspectors will never:
Climb onto the roof Climb into the crawl space Request money or bank information Ask for a 9-digit registration number (included in your records)
The inspection procedure is free of charge.
To avoid fraudulent construction contractors, FEMA recommends using a licensed or certified local contractor who provides a written warranty and details of the work. The agency recommends not paying more than half of the repair cost upfront.
Potential scammers may try to use your name, home address, and Social Security number to apply for FEMA assistance. If you suspect someone is using your identity to apply for FEMA assistance, notify an inspector or call the FEMA hotline.
You can report potential FEMA fraud by emailing StopFEMAFraud@fema.dhs.gov or by calling 866-223-0814.
Individuals affected by the fires who may have received donations through the GoFundMe page may be disqualified from receiving FEMA assistance. FEMA is not allowed to duplicate benefits received from other sources, the agency said.
“For example, if you receive donations to clean up storm damage to your home, FEMA may also not be able to provide financial assistance to clean up your home,” the agency said on its website. “We encourage all survivors to apply for assistance regardless, so we can consider your specific case.”
Individuals can also be affected by GoFundMe scams. Online fundraising companies recommend that donors and donors keep the following in mind:
Make sure the website is securely encrypted — look for the gray lock icon Be wary of suspicious emails or texts — donations will not be accepted this way Share your personal information Don’t — Don’t include addresses, phone numbers, or banking information in your fundraising description Verify your beneficiaries’ email addresses
GoFundMe allows individuals to report fundraising efforts, file a beneficiary request if they owe money, and file a donor request if they want to withdraw a donation.
Source link
