FEMA Assistance Denial Still Offers Option for Appeal

 

Hunt Valley, Md. -- Survivors have the right to appeal the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s decision about what assistance they can receive.

 

The survivor may ask for another review in order to appeal the decision on amount, type of assistance or any other decision regarding federal disaster assistance.

 

Before asking for an appeal, it is important to review the “Help After a Disaster” applicant’s guide. The booklet explains the different types of assistance that may be available to survivors and could answer some questions you have about the appeal process. Each applicant receives a copy and it is also available online at www.fema.gov/help-after-disaster.

 

When appealing, explain in writing why you disagree with a decision. Include any new or additional documents that would support the appeal. Be as specific as possible in the letter. Include materials such as itemized receipts and contractor estimates.

 

When sending an appeal letter for Hurricane Sandy, remember to include:

 

·         On all pages of all documents:

o    Federal disaster declaration number 4091-DR-MD.

o    Nine-digit FEMA application number.

·         Applicant’s name, place and date of birth, and the address of the damaged dwelling.

·         Copies of documentation that supports the appeal. All receipts, bills and estimates must include contact information for the service provider. Keep all originals for your records.

·         A copy of a state-issued identification card, unless the letter is notarized or includes the following statement: “I hereby declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.”

·         The applicant’s signature.

Appeal letters must be postmarked within 60 days of the date on the decision letter.

 

Survivors may send the appeal letter to FEMA by:

 

·         Fax:  (800) 827-8112 Attention: FEMA

·         Mail: National Processing Service Center, P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055

·         Visiting the Disaster Recovery Center located at #2 Mill Lane, Crisfield, MD 21817

(Lower Somerset County Fire & Rescue Building)

 

If you would like to speak with a specialist who will listen and help you with the appeal process, you can visit the Disaster Recovery Center or call the FEMA helpline 800-621-3362.

 

FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards

The appeal was granted and Somerset County was awarded Individual Assistance, thanks in large part to the hard work of the Governor’s office, our federal delegation, and state and local leadership and also through the tireless work of Steve Marshall and the teams of inspectors from the county and the city who kept doing PDAs. Thank you to everyone who pushed for this appeal and made this happen.

Toll free number. Persons seeking individual assistance should register by calling 1-800-621-3362 which is 1-800-621-FEMA. This is a simple process that requires them to provide their name, social security number, address, directions to their home, a description of their losses and insurance information. Here is a link to a checklist of information people need to have on hand when they apply. For the hearing and speech impaired, TTY is 1-800-462-7585.

 Register online. An alternative to registering by phone is to register online at http://www.disasterassistance.gov/ In addition to applying for assistance online, you can take an anonymous questionnaire to find out what programs are available to them.

 Disaster Recovery Center. A disaster recovery center or “DRC” will be opening at the Lower Somerset Ambulance and Rescue Squad, located at 2 Mill Lane, Crisfield, Maryland 21817 on Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at 9 a.m. People can register online and can also speak with specialists for each type of assistance that FEMA individual assistance provides. The ambulance squad is between Jacksonville Road and Route 413, near Food Lion and Circle Inn.

 Teams going door to door. This weekend, FEMA and MEMA teams will be going door to door to hand out cards and flyers to businesses and individuals telling them how to apply for assistance.

 Community Town Hall. We continue to plan to host the Community Town Hall this Thursday, December 20, 2012 at 6 p.m. at Crisfield High School. Now that individual assistance has been granted, a large part of this meeting will be a presentation from FEMA on the IA process and they will have staff on hand before, during and after the meeting to help people apply for IA who have not done so already.

 

If you have questions about what types of assistance are included within Individual Assistance, a helpful, but somewhat dated (July 2008) guide can be viewed here. It is also available in several languages. 

The recovery effort has new phone lines. You may reach the volunteers at 443-859-3502 or 443-859-3514

On Thursday, December 13, 2012 at 11 a.m. at the Crisfield Fire Department, the Small Business Administration will host a meeting for all homeowners, nonprofits, and businesses interested in participating in their Disaster Assistance loan program. Loans are available in Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester Counties in Maryland and Accomack and Northampton Counties in Virginia. The Crisfield Fire Department is located at 600 West Main St., Crisfield, MD 21817.

CRISFIELD CHAMBER TO HOST MEETING OF BUSINESSES AFFECTED BY HURRICANE SANDY

 

What:                    Information Meeting for Businesses Affected by Hurricane Sandy

Where:                 Crisfield City Hall, 319 W. Main St., Crisfield, MD 21817

When:                  Tuesday, December 4, 2012 at 9:00 a.m.

 

The Crisfield Area Chamber of Commerce will host an information meeting for all businesses affected by Hurricane Sandy next Tuesday, December 4, 2012 at 9 a.m. at Crisfield City Hall located at 319 W. Main St.

 

All businesses are invited to attend this information session.

 

Speakers at the meeting will include:

 

·         John N. Hickman, Director of the Small Business Development Center at Salisbury University

·         Daniel K. Thompson, Director of the Somerset County Economic Development Commission

·         Representative from the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development

·         Representative from FEMA

 

Information will be presented on what assistance is available to small businesses affected by Hurricane Sandy.

 

All businesses, regardless of whether they are members of the chamber, are invited to attend.

 

For more information, please contact Valerie Howard at (410) 968-2500 or info@crisfieldchamber.com

SALISBURY, MD— Crisfield area residents who need assistance with electricity and heating bills may go to SHORE UP!’s Home Energy Programs office in Crisfield, which is reopening Monday, November 26, 2012. The office, located at H. DeWayne Whittington Elementary School, 6 Asbury Avenue in Crisfield, will be open Monday through Friday, 9 am-3 pm, to accommodate as many customers as possible. Those requesting services should make sure their application is completely filled out. Applications can be received by calling 410-341-9634, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. or obtained at www.shoreup.org. To process the application, the following information is needed:

·         Proof of all household income for the past 30 days for anyone 18 years old or older, social security, SSI (award letter or direct deposit statement), pension, retirement, wages, TCA, TDAP, unemployment, child support (6-month printout needed), alimony (current documentation)

·         Identification (drivers license or photo ID)

·         Names, Social Security cards and dates of birth for all household members

·         Current electric bill – Bill must be in applicants name for EUSP

·         Bill for main heating source – Gas and propane customers must provide this.

·         Renters need landlord’s name, address, telephone number, lease agreement and most recent rent receipt

·         Homeowners need deed, payment information or tax assessment

For more information, please contact the SHORE UP! main office at 410-749-1142.

 

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At SHORE UP! Inc., no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, ancestry, or disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of or otherwise be subject to discrimination in the provision of any care, service or admission 

Congressman Andy Harris will host an information tele-town hall for citizens impacted by Hurricane Sandy on  Monday, November 19 at 2:30 pm for residents of the Crisfield, Smith Island, Marion, Fairmount, Deal Island, Ocean Pines and Princess Anne zip codes.  Listed residents will receive a phone invitation at 2:30 p.m.

 

FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Mike Lapinski will join the congressman on the call to answer citizen questions regarding the federal disaster declaration process, programs for which impacted residents may be eligible, the Federal Government’s response to date, and plans for future assistance to those affected by Hurricane Sandy. 

 

Residents who have been displaced or have lost phone service may participate by calling (877) 229-8493 and entering passcode 17603 at or after the 2:30 pm start time.  Due to a limited number of open lines, residents are encouraged to share this information and/or call in with neighbors to ensure that all interested parties are able to participate.

 

For additional information, please call (443) 397-7254.

This Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012, at 9 a.m. a community wide clean up day will be hosted. Interested volunteers are asked to report to the volunteer coordination trailer at the Somers Cove Marina in Crisfield, Maryland 21817 wearing proper footwear, eye protection and gloves.

Immanuel United Methodist Church at 206 W. Main St., Crisfield, MD 21817 is hosting hot food each day from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. A food pantry is also open during those hours. Food is not available for delivery.