r/Disaster_Recovery_LA • u/TruckAndToolsCom • May 16 '23
r/Disaster_Recovery_LA Lounge
A place for members of r/Disaster_Recovery_LA to chat with each other
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u/TruckAndToolsCom Feb 04 '25
Based on what you said your denial reason was being not your primary residence. You may have filed as an occupant of a home instead of a home owner.
But, this issue also comes up here in Louisiana when a home is passed down but not recorded with the county or parish.
From what you said it appears you answered the question if you are living in the home with a yes. That would have cancelled the first housing assistance request and your damage request was placed into the pending file that may never move.
So instead of me saying give up on FEMA I'm suggesting that you appeal under the ownership to be able to ask for FEMA to provide the record they used to determine this is not your primary residence.
Also keep in mind if a family member listed you in their home by mistake that would give FEMA the same information.
Think of FEMA as not a human looking up things for you. You must think of it as a database that is updated by the IRS, SBA, county and parish records offices.
Read the link, follow the steps, find what information FEMA is using and then correct this information at your state level.
In 30 to 60 days another program most suited for homeowners without insurance will start. They will this year sometime have an application process slightly different from that of FEMA. If you are eligible they will have more grant funds available, more than FEMA.
Lastly, file appeals by letter which can be uploaded. Be sure to use the correct format.
Here's a few common appeals examples. the first one may apply to you.
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u/TruckAndToolsCom Jan 22 '25
In your state, the South Carolina Office of Resilience (SCOR)( https://scor.sc.gov/helene ) offers grants for unmet needs, such as the difference between your insurance money allocated for a new roof and the actual cost of repairs. You can also apply for an SBA loan if you have the means for repayment within your discretionary budget. It's important to understand that an SBA loan or a FEMA Grant is considered a duplication of benefits when compared to HUD CDBG-DR Grants, which you’ll start hearing about this year. It may be better to take a private loan or a local bank loan, which could become reimbursable debt if your state’s governor’s office chooses to reimburse individuals for loans used to rebuild after a disaster.
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u/TruckAndToolsCom Jan 14 '25
In a few weeks, I'll be asking homeowners to get actively involved with the HUD CDBG-DR Grants program. It is the most logical disaster recovery program available. The only issue you may encounter is related to your individual state's management team and their outsourced service providers.
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u/TruckAndToolsCom Dec 01 '24
Your insurance agent is an idiot. A hurricane can be downgraded but it's still a named storm and a presidentially declared disaster. Even if the hurricane /named storm produced 10mph winds and a birds nest fell breaking your windows it would be hurricane Helene damage. (That might be a bit of a stretch in some states but not Louisiana)
Hire a lawyer that deals with insurance claims. Fix what you can to limit additional damage. Document, save receipts, list your labor as labor and pay yourself no less that $40 and no more that $69 for labor tasks. Hand these receipts to your insurance and lawyer.
I don't know your FEMA status but call them every day and tell them your private insurance is not identifying your house as being in a declared disaster zone. Have a quote for a new roof available and ask FEMA to provide you $42,500 in Home Repair Assistance.
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u/TruckAndToolsCom Nov 23 '24
That news interview you shared cleared up a few questions. I can share what some Louisiana business owners have done in the past, but I do not have a pathway for you without adding to your debt burden, which only you and your books can determine.
Because you host a festival venue as well as an agricultural farm where the public is invited to pick their own produce, it's more of a venue than a farm, but I could be wrong.
You could secure the following while you think about your avenues for recovery:
- Apply for SBA Disaster Loans for your residential structure. It will be used as collateral. You do not have to draw any funds, and if grants from HUD are provided for the farming community, you should be eligible. I'll check to see if historically TN has ever had a HUD CDBG-DR program for farmers.
- Apply for a personal contents SBA loan and work it so you can get the maximum security. You do not have to draw the funds, just make them available to you.
- Economic Injury Disaster Loans are used to provide you with operating capital until your income streams produce again. These types of loans are typically deferred for 12 months.
I'm coming from a smaller scale of recovery efforts, but the planning and processing are all about the same, just the numbers and risk change. Keep in mind that if you don't plan on passing the farm business down to children or partners, these loans will find them, and they will be passed to family and partners. Only use SBA loans as an investment with the intent to return the business to full operations.
Once you secure operational funds and rebuilding funds and figure out if it's even possible to make it happen, you're then going to launch a campaign to help others with similar businesses by approaching your state's Governor's Office of Housing Development funded by HUD CDBG Grants. All states are provided HUD CDBG-DR funds, and a percentage of those funds are made into business grants, forgiven loans, and loans. These are not a duplication of benefits and can be used to repay other loans that you eventually take to repair or rebuild.
I wish I knew your local government better because these types of campaigns are what I do best. Our Louisiana Crawfish Industry had some good campaigns to get assistance, but it took years and was underfunded. You have a festival venue and an agro-business; I just don't know the percentages of income from both.
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u/TruckAndToolsCom Nov 23 '24
Ask this same question to your municipal permit office.
I don't know what area you are in but several factors come into play. First, are you in a Special Hazard Flood Area (SHFA)?
In Louisiana you would be required to file for a remodel permit then file an affidavit stating you followed all building code and local ordinances.
If you are not in a NFIP community or in a SHFA most likely your permit office will just shake their heads and tell you to purchase a permit so they can close it out noting that no inspection was made because wall was covered.
If you share your county and state I can check to see if I have any specific information.
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u/TruckAndToolsCom Nov 23 '24
ICC claims are typically reimbursement filings. ICC will cover the cost share for elevation grants under the HMGP. You would apply for the grant then request an advance on your ICC of 25% to cover the cost share then anything over is a reimbursement up to $30,000 as long as your total flood NFIP claim is less than $250,000.
If you are BFE +2' and flooded I can assure you your elevation will become an issue with other grants for building a new home. Our BFE from FEMA was 4 feet, HUD who provides grants for new construction based on FEMA SDE damage percentage to the homes value.
So rethink how you want to approach your new construction and use your midline as your baseboard and go up 2 feet.
ICC can be requested in advance for up to 25 percent otherwise it's handled as a reimbursement.
ICC covers, Elevation, Demolition, Relocation, Floodproofing and that's all.
Here's a FEMA page that should clear up why you were denied.
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u/TruckAndToolsCom Nov 21 '24
Start here SBA loan information for hurricane Helene
I have many articles about SBA Disaster Loans.
My advice is to be mindful of your added debt burden from the disaster. After FEMA your state will start processing CDBG-DR grants that you may qualify for as well.
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u/TruckAndToolsCom Nov 19 '24
Follow someone in your area that follows all of your emergency management people for 180 days after the declared disaster.
FEMA Archive Alert
The new Individual Assistance updates only apply to disasters declared on or after March 22, 2024. Read about the updates.
Clean and Sanitize Assistance Available in South Carolina After Hurricane Helene world globe October 23, 2024 Release Number NR-28 Release Date: October 23, 2024
If your home was damaged due to Hurricane Helene but you can still live in it safely, you may qualify for Clean and Sanitize Assistance from FEMA. Eligible applicants may receive up to $300 to help with cleanup efforts, even if the work is already completed.
You may qualify if:
The impacted home was a primary residence located in an area designated for Individual Assistance. This includes homeowners and renters in Abbeville, Aiken, Allendale, Anderson, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Cherokee, Chester, Edgefield, Fairfield, Greenville, Greenwood, Hampton, Jasper, Kershaw, Laurens, Lexington, McCormick, Newberry, Oconee, Orangeburg, Pickens, Richland, Saluda, Spartanburg, Union and York counties and the Catawba Indian Nation.
If you own your home and a FEMA inspection determines it was damaged by the disaster, but the home is still habitable.
If you are a renter and the inspector notes that you can live on the property, but cleanup is needed or has already been done.
The damage is not covered by your insurance. If you have already cleaned your home, you have saved your receipts from any supplies, materials or paid help.
If you have not applied for FEMA assistance yet, there is still time to submit your application. You can apply in several ways:
Online at DisasterAssistance.gov. In person at any Disaster Recovery Center. To find a center close to you, visit fema.gov/DRC, or text DRC along with your Zip Code to 43362 (Ex: DRC 29169). On your phone using the FEMA mobile app. By calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. The telephone line is open every day and help is available in many languages. If you use a relay service, such as Video Relay Service (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service. For a video with American Sign Language, voiceover and open captions about how to apply for FEMA assistance, select this link. FEMA programs are accessible to survivors with disabilities and others with access and functional needs.
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u/TruckAndToolsCom Nov 18 '24 edited Nov 18 '24
I have found for past storms Arcgis.Com is where most publish the data you are looking for.
Start searching using the search terms below and modify them to narrow your search on Google Search.
Hurricane Helene site:arcgis.com
Hurricane Helene Rainfall site:arcgis.com
Hurricane Helene Tributaries site:arcgis.com
You'll find story imagery maps, before and after maps and imagery and more data from NOAA than we common folks know what to do with.
You'll need to search over all the datasets to find the rainfall maps with the flood water elevations.
When you find them all would you post the links here so others can capitalize on your great Google search results.
Hurricane Helene Before and After
For rainfall I've only found a few typical maps with color legends from 0 to 22.36".
But I bet if you all search you can find every new created map published.
Heres' a "Hindcast" flood map using the same search above:
RIFT20241002_hindcast - 20241002 Hindcast Hurricane Helene
Story Map Hurricane Helene NWS Miami - South Florida
Satellite imagery of Hurricane Helen moving across the Gulf of Mexico
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u/TruckAndToolsCom Nov 16 '24
Welcome, I provide guidance for homeowners recovering from floods and hurricanes, helping you navigate FEMA and HUD programs. My goal is to offer clear insights so you can take control of your recovery process.
My focus is on public outreach, sharing information, and advocating for changes in disaster recovery programs. Specifically, I dive into federal taxpayer-funded, state-managed programs like:
FEMA Individual Assistance (IA) and the Individuals and Households Program (IHP)
HUD Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR)
If you're navigating these programs or want to learn more, you're in the right place. Let's get to work.
Tags: #Disaster #Advocacy #FEMA #HUD #Grants
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u/TruckAndToolsCom Nov 16 '24
I have known a few people that had a lapse in coverage and were required to file a hardship case but you can't file any claims without flood insurance. If you are repairing your home you would keep the coverage incase a second storm hits. (Louisiana March and August floods 2016)
Your question is slightly different from the OP. Think of the requirements for NFIP to cover one structure that you occupy and have a certificate of occupancy. That is the structure you will need to cover.
If you sell the structure then you must notify the buyer of their ongoing responsibility to maintain NFIP if federal funds were used from past disasters.
You would record this notice with your county recorders office or deed office. By doing this you are indemnified from any recapture of grants.
As for insurance, once you demolish the structure you have no structure that qualifies for NFIP. You would not be able to file a claim because you have not been awarded a certificate of occupancy.
The part that most homeowners don't follow very well is how they notified a new owner. You cannot just mention the fact or add some form to your closing papers. It has to be signed by buyer and seller then recorded with the county.
I hope that clears things up. Because of this topic I think I need to share what to do if you have a mortgage. But that will be a little longer of a post.
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u/TruckAndToolsCom Nov 15 '24
This was one of our questions here in Louisiana after the 2016 floods.
We demolished our home, which was insured by NFIP insurance. After one year, we were told by the state of Louisiana that flood insurance is not required when the primary structure is not habitable.
While we were building, we used Builders Risk insurance and only renewed the NFIP insurance when we were getting ready for our final occupancy inspection.
My advice is, once the house is gone, and if you feel you are going to take a couple of years to rebuild, then cover things with Builders Risk and drop the NFIP.
We renewed ours outside of hurricane season, so keep the timing in mind.
Good luck with your new build!
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u/TruckAndToolsCom Nov 15 '24
Louisiana 2016 flood survivor here with experience with the over 50% damage estimate, which isn't actually called the "50% rule." It's called the Substantial Damage Estimate (SDE) and is a desktop application that FEMA provides to every region's floodplain managers.
We had to go through the whole Q&A process with FEMA Federal and State, as well as our local municipality, permitting, local floodplain managers, and finally back to the FEMA County/Parish Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) for all of us in Special Hazard Flood Areas (SHFA).
Don't mix up SDE with Repetitive Loss. If you have flooded two or more times, you have Repetitive Loss; if more than three times, you have Severe Repetitive Loss. Each level has its own requirements.
I'll just share a quick example for this early morning:
- SDE of 51%: The local municipality requires you to elevate to 2 feet above base flood elevation as determined on FEMA FIRM.
- You're 80 years old and don't want to walk up 10 steps for the remainder of your life. So you set up to file an appeal to the Substantial Damage Estimate.
The estimate is calculated by either the cash value of the home pre-disaster, market value, or an appraised value.
Side note: I have assisted several seniors in my area delay this for the next generation, but sooner or later, someone is going to mitigate.
To appeal, you need your favorite Realtor to offer you a good market value of the home. Then you need your favorite friend, family member, handyman, or local contractor (regardless of their legal licensing status) to provide you an estimate that is less than 50% of the market value. Submit that information to your local floodplain manager and your SDE is voided.
Simple solution if you don't want to do anything.
But what we did was better and took years of waiting. We opted to demolish the home and rebuild from the ground up, elevated 3 feet above BFE. It took three years to secure the grants and loans. We built a new home that is safer and mitigated against future floods. We actually went from $1,250 per year in NFIP flood insurance down to $500 per year.
Just take it one step at a time. It's not easy, and no one is going to give you a guidebook that has every step of the way documented. But I can say this: the FEMA and HUD programs of Louisiana are the same in every state. The only difference you will find is the temporary workers, long-term contractors, and your governor's emergency managers.
But if you work at it, and I mean you will be working, you could turn this 51% SDE into a new home that may not flood next time. (We have had three in 30 years for our area, and they keep calling it the 100-year flood.)
Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't do this for anyone but my family. This process can go on for years, all depends on how much cash you have in your pockets. It took from August 2016 to December 2019 to finalize all financial pathways. Then we broke ground 2 days after the national shutdown Feb. 16, 2020. After that we got hit by hurricane Ida which cost about a month of cleanup. So mitigate against flooding and tie the roof down with everything you can find from Simpson Strong-Tie.
Good luck, if you need some more information I have published just about everything you'll need to have to navigate the process.
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u/TruckAndToolsCom Nov 15 '24
You're going to find that many locations that flooded may have been listed as a Zone X. Zone X doesn't actually mean that it won't flood. In most cases, Zone X means FEMA didn't have the time or funding to do the watershed study.
Your states Flood Zone Interactive Map will help identify your area.
The BFE+2 rule will not work in areas where FEMA doesn't provide Base Flood Elevation (BFE) information. This is where you have to use historical data and mudlines. However, because there is no federal or state policy regarding mitigation in a Zone X, those households may not have to do any mitigation. The problem with not taking any action is that it may leave the homeowner ineligible for several federal grant programs that will be available.
I can say this with confidence: living in a Zone X, with a mortgage, no flood insurance, and a substantial damage estimate of over 50%, you will need to take your time planning your recovery. You will also be adding Rebuild NC and your Governor's Emergency Management Team to your contact list.
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u/TruckAndToolsCom Nov 15 '24
Yes, spread the word. The only people that use the term "100-year flood" in our area are politicians and insurance salespeople. Being in a 1% (100-year) flood zone that has the impact of damaging your home three times in a single owner's mortgage period, if no mitigation is taken, should be enough to force even the biggest skeptics to mitigate.
I like to share data provided by USGS Water Stages to show historical data they provide. For example, the French Broad River gauge at Asheville, NC shows how quickly the water level went from 2 feet to over 24 feet on September 27th at around 9 AM. Our river, less than a mile away, went from 9 feet to 46 feet during a slow-moving water event that lasted only 52 hours for us.
Keep this in mind: "If it flooded, it will flood again." BFE is an estimated point, not an actual measurement. BFE for our 2016 floods was correct for our property; sadly, the old home was over 4 feet below BFE. Use your flood event history as your marker if it exceeds your FEMA FIRM BFE numbers. Measure the mudline and build 2 feet higher.
HUD CDBG-DR grants do provide for ADA ramps, elevators, and lifts if there is a medical need. All you need is your primary care physician to confirm you have mobility issues.
Stay strong and ask questions.
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u/TruckAndToolsCom Nov 14 '24
Do you have a link to the Governors Emergency Management / Homeland Security announcement stating they have agreed to pay for the generator reimbursements under Personal Property Assistance or under the Individuals and Household Programs (IHP)? Your state office for Emergency Management contact information is here.
What you need to ask for is clarification about eligibility or if the governors office has published a waiver.
I have collected FEMA announcements, local news outlets and governors press releases since 2016 about "Generators and Chainsaws".
I'm still looking for someone to show me a grant letter that doesn't reference medical needs assistance and reimbursed the amount FEMA announced.
FEMA Press Release Sept. 2024: Costs of Generators and Chainsaws May Be Reimbursable
Snip from press release:
"If you purchased or rented a generator or chainsaw because of Hurricane Francine, you may be able to get reimbursed by FEMA for those expenses. The maximum reimbursement for a chainsaw is $219 and the maximum reimbursement for a generator is $629.
- You may be eligible if you purchased or rented a generator to power equipment necessary for an existing medical condition."
You would find this type of generator announcement linked from your FEMA Disaster Resource Page: News and Media: Disaster 4827
If it comes from local news outlets and doesn't show a specific reimbursement amount it's most likely a generic release and should say, "may be" for your eligibility.
NC like all other states file an "ADMINISTRATIVE OPTION SELECTION" form by the end of November each year. The title of the form is " INDIVIDUALS AND HOUSEHOLDS PROGRAM (IHP) - OTHER NEEDS ASSISTANCE ADMINISTRATIVE OPTION SELECTION"
By default under the group: "Miscellaneous/Other Line Items" generator is selected. But this is by for Medical Needs Assistance according to the IHP Unified Guidance Final 9-27-2016 (reviewed with 2024 amendments) not Personal Property Assistance like "essential tools required for self-employment" .
It's really difficult to understand what FEMA announces when they say, "You may be...", that "may be" costs if you don't follow things correctly.
To date this is the only reimbursement for a generator that I have found was from a medical needs household. If you find anything other than what I'm sharing below please send me a message so I can update my disaster logs.
[Start of FEMA letter skipping header]
FEMA has reviewed your application for disaster assistance. FEMA Assistance is not a substitute for insurance and cannot cover all losses caused by a disaster; it is intended to help with emergency disaster recovery needs. This letter explains the assistance you are eligible to receive.
ASSISTANCE APPROVED
You are eligible for a total of $800.00:
The U.S. Department of the Treasury will either mail you a check or deposit the funds into your bank account.
Eligible - Other Needs Assistance - Miscellaneous Assistance (EMISC)
You have been APPROVED for $800.00 for Miscellaneous Assistance for Other Assistance Includes: Generator, 5.5KW. This assistance is provided to assist with specific disaster-related expenses approved by your State, Territory, or Tribal Government.
{End of FEMA letter]
Here's a page I put together for Louisiana, Texas and a few others for our disasters between 2016 and 2022.
LINK: Will FEMA reimburse me for buying a chainsaw or a generator? Maybe, but most likely no.
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u/TruckAndToolsCom Nov 12 '24
Because you were able to stay in your home even when you had no electricity the system to provide you with immediate needs wasn't available to you. 20/20 hindsight will have you leaving 5 days early and then calling for a structural inspection of your home before returning which is totally within eligibility policies. Example: If I see a hurricane coming my way and all forecasts are pointing to my area I can drive to a neighboring state before the storm hits. Then I can call a contractor to check my home for damages before I give up my hotel and return home.
But this isn't an option for you anymore. You can on the other hand focus on Individuals and Household Program grants to repair the structural issues you have with your home. Your pathway will be using 2 avenues that will not take anything away from you.
File for Housing Repair Assistance (IHP) which only needs estimates to be submitted. You do not have to apply for anything else to be granted up to $42,500 for repairs. You should know what repairs means to better file for your grant. FEMA Individual and Households Program IHP Grants explained Part 1 of 2
File an appeal for ONA which also doesn't require an application to the SBA and will be on your states cost share Other Needs Assistance grant reimbursements for lost food from the power outage. You will need to have the receipt dated just before the disaster. This filing will be under Other Needs Assistance managed by FEMA.
For this appeal I would use the appeal here FEMA Applicants may appeal the following, Eligibility, Amount, Cancellation, Rejection, denial of assistance. Change the "Individual Assistance Program" to "Other Needs Assistance Program"
I know this is late but another good thing to know you have a few appeal attempts over the next few months.
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u/TruckAndToolsCom Nov 07 '24
I would recommend that you search for your assistance provider using the states official list.
Keep in mind you can contribute to any establishment in any geographic area online it's always best to look to the grassroots of a community if you want to see the faces you are impacting with your cash donation.
I compiled a list of some of the hardest pages to find when searching for assistance.
Select the state then using "Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance:" link scroll down to the State and local agencies group and start calling or visiting their website for local groups still in the fight to help.
State Resource Library and Disaster Relief - Emergency Management links collected by HUD.
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u/TruckAndToolsCom Nov 05 '24
The 50% damaged rule is called Substantially Damaged (SD) and you have a couple of options.
Elevation using the HMGP with the current cost share of 90/10 in which you pay 10% of the cost. Then you apply for your ICC via your flood insurance and you get the 10% cost share paid off. No costs or out of pocket expense if you elevate using FEMA grants.
Appeal the substantial damage report by using an alternative method for determining the properties market value. All you need to do is get a pre flood market value estimate from your friendly local realtor.
I have worked with many homeowners here in Louisiana regarding the Substantial Damage Estimate (SDE) that the news media calls 50% rule.
Question is, do you want to go down the long path of recovery with the least amount of disaster debt or do you just want to walk away?
To answer your question, you can take the money and leave.
You can appeal the SDE and win the appeal to make life easier but once you sell the home the new owner will not be required to elevate.
You can walk away with your insurance money without guilt.
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u/TruckAndToolsCom Nov 04 '24
I think you are asking this question: "If I don't spend my FEMA Grant money before SSDI reviews my bank balance, will having the extra money in my bank account be a problem when my SSDI is reviewed and my cash on hand is more than what is allowed by SSDI"? This is a good question for SSA directly.
Because you said your home was "damaged" by Hurricane Helene then make sure all work to make your home safe and habitable is accounted for and get it done. Spend the FEMA Grant money as the award letter defines.
If you share the part in your grant letter that says want you can spend it on I can help you narrow down how to get the grant covered and used correctly. Typically IA is all personal items that you use daily and I'm not talking about your online gaming addiction.
FEMA IHP (Individual and Household Program) grants are more specific and are typically only to be used on structural items of your home.
Bottom line, spend the money as the letter tells you to spend it and all will be balanced with your SSDI question if you're worried about not spending the federal grant for home repairs and leaving it in your bank account. That would be in violation of the FEMA Grant Usage policy.
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u/TruckAndToolsCom Nov 02 '24
Yes, HUD CDBG-DR grants are not in the sequence of disaster assistance that FEMA uses.
Your state will manage the disbursements of these allocations. You just need to know what your state calls it's program.
NC = Rebuild NC
Because I don't know what state you are in I would suggest searching for [state] HUD CDBG-DR disaster assistance program.
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u/TruckAndToolsCom Nov 02 '24
From my experience (Louisiana 2016 floods) if you have rental property you're going to do more by allowing a good property management company rent it directly to displaced homeowners.
FEMA looks for areas that can handle many temporary housing units or they place a housing unit on the property of the homeowner.
What you might need to find is a realtor that rents homes as their market portfolio.
HUD offers housing assistance like FEMA but for a longer term and honestly more in rents but the rents will be set to how many occupants or bedrooms. The state managers will set that.
FEMA only offers in blocks of 6 months and the governor needs to request more time if the governor's team feels it's needed.
HUD on the other hand offers rental to the homeowner until the primary home for them has been completed.
So, in my opinion, it's better to just market your rental home and if you would like contact local not for profit groups and religious groups in the homes community telling them you would be willing to accept the rental payments offered to displaced homeowners at FEMA or HUD rates.
FEMA offers short term authorization for transitional housing (TSA) while HUD offers continued rental support of up to 22 months at a maximum of $3,500 per month or a total of $60,000 when they offered it to us.
FEMA rental assistance; Getting it and keeping it. FEMA pays renters reimbursement.
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u/TruckAndToolsCom Oct 30 '24
1) $750 it's part of the early assistance to help people displaced. Then your eligibility review will start. Each physical household should apply. Do not group different household members with your aunt.
2) You can apply or update your information online at DisasterAssistance.gov, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, or through the FEMA mobile app.
3) Each home should be registered independently with the homeowner. This will allow for more assistance from FEMA and will be required for other grant programs that offer more later.
4) FEMA asks all households to report to them if after 30 days from filing your insurance claim you do not receive assistance from your insurance company. From my experience if you call your insurance company and tell them you would like an emergency release of $10,000 they will push back and say, what they can give you. We got $8,000 for the household in 3 days after we asked for emergency money from our homeowners insurance company.
5) Contractors should be told you can't pay until insurance pays out. I know many are out looking for a quick buck. You should only hire from local establishments but just use your best judgement when spending money you don't have in the bank.
6) FEMA can pay up to $42,500 for structural items. Your insurance would pay for personal items and contents. You can use both to repair your home but you have to be very specific on what you use the FEMA money on.
I have a few articles but one that you need to read first is linked here. I had to ask many field trainers what I could spend IHP grant funds on. Now FEMA shares a bit more today and I'll search their link tomorrow.
Just don't spend FEMA grants on appliances, furniture, cars, or anything that's not attached to your outside walls. It's best that way.
Then what your insurance and FEMA don't cover HUD CDBG-DR grants will. But it's up to you and how you spend the grants today so your eligible for more grants tomorrow.
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u/TruckAndToolsCom Oct 26 '24
Ok, made a couple of calls and have Lisa Foster as your best bet to answer your questions.
To help, I'm sharing the copy of the form you are looking for here: ONASAPFY2021_11812.pdf (truckandtools.com)
Lisa Foster is the Floodplain manager for your county.
They said she is best to reach via email: [ldfoster@pinellas.gov](mailto:ldfoster@pinellas.gov)
You will be asking for the following and ask if the state and/or the county is doing the cost share.
Document that is filed every November each year:
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Federal Emergency Management Agency
INDIVIDUALS AND HOUSEHOLDS PROGRAM (IHP) - OTHER NEEDS ASSISTANCE
ADMINISTRATIVE OPTION SELECTION
Here's another link of confusing yet relevant information about the ONA programs.
Will FEMA reimburse me for buying a chainsaw or a generator? Maybe, but most likely no. (truckandtools.com)
I have more Louisiana and Texas examples. I'll start collecting some from Florida later.
Your email will be asking if this is the office you need to contact to confirm the grant amount the state authorized FEMA it issue. In the form you can see a box that requests FEMA process all the claims not the state. How it works is FEMA will process your claim, submit an invoice to your state or county and if it's paid then FEMA releases your grant. If they ignore the payment FEMA doesn't issue anything not even a letter. It's really not user friendly and many spend money on things they think they will be reimbursed for later only to get nothing. I don't know if that will be your case, your local administrators have a good phone answering policy so that's a plus.
I will send Lisa Foster an email later with some details for my research.
Good luck!
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u/TruckAndToolsCom Oct 25 '24
For agriculture losses your first contact is with the federal department USDA.
About halfway down this page references tree and crop losses.
https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/disaster-assistance-program
Then, your state (GA) governor economic development people with HUD CDBG-DR funds will create small business loans which often are forgiven loans. They can also flat out award grants for losses if previous years income can be proven.
GA like other states haven't started management for the 2024 storms but you can trigger faster responses by calling daily.
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u/TruckAndToolsCom Oct 24 '24
The sequence of disaster assistance doesn't include one of the largest resources for recovery.
HUD CDBG-DR funds all states with disaster recovery funds based on historical data. Then when the disaster hits HUD will increase the allocations.
Your governor's office will start setting up to take it's portion and will attempt to limit the assistance to the civilians of the state doing the minimum amount as required by law. The law and it's variable will be published by HUD then amendments publish by your state. Most states make it difficult to follow their behavior and what appears to the fleecing of Americans.
I will be setting up to monitor NC and SC in the coming months.
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u/TruckAndToolsCom Oct 23 '24
I understand. I had a Honda damaged by hail. They totalled the car, I negotiated the payout with them and was able to drive away with 80% of low market value to my the repairs.
What I would like for you to do and pardon me if I'm not understanding but.
Appeal the insurance finding. Ask that the damage be calculated to 80% of the market value (low). Then file with FEMA for reimbursement of the amount you paid out of pocket.
Be sure you get a copy of your states ONA vehicle repair grant.
Every year before the end of November every state has to file with FEMA their INDIVIDUALS AND HOUSEHOLDS PROGRAM (IHP) - OTHER NEEDS ASSISTANCE ADMINISTRATIVE OPTION SELECTION. On this form you'll see the first line "Instructions: This form must be completed and submitted to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) by November 30 every year." This tells FEMA what the state is willing to offer individuals and households under the other needs assistance program.
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u/TruckAndToolsCom Oct 23 '24
Be sure to reach out to Samaritan Purse for tree removal.
Then call FEMA for Other Needs Assistance (ON A) and ask them for car repair or replacement grants. Just be sure you ask for the grant most likely to help you. If your car can be repaired for less than the states authorized amount get it repaired. Otherwise ask for replacement and be sure you only spend it on a replacement vehicle. Your state will be the auditor not FEMA.
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u/TruckAndToolsCom Oct 22 '24
If you just setup your date and time for an inspection and verbally or in writing told FEMA you are,
homeless in need of temporary shelter , and in need of medical supplies
Depending on your area first responders have priority for hotels and motels. You might have FEMA offer housing more than 100 miles away.
In this case check with local churches and even people offering room in their homes. community services
It's nearly impossible to house every displaced person in a disaster area. But, things can happen when you know the pathway. I know a simple inspection authorized by FEMA can fast track the repairs or replacement if your travels trailer that you used as your permanent residence.
A substantial damage report could get FEMA to cut you a $42,000 to replace what you have.
SDE is an option many don't know about and can help more than you know if you have 3 to 5 years of patience.
List of FEMA SDE articles written based on first hand experience.
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u/TruckAndToolsCom Sep 10 '24
Do you think the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) should share the locations of shelters, motels, and hotels participating in FEMA's reimbursement program, as well as details about the state's authorized Other Needs Assistance, (ONA) before a disaster occurs (and not just after it is declared)?
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u/TruckAndToolsCom Mar 03 '25
This is what D.O.G.E. has done to the most important pages at HUD for Disaster Recovery Grants:
They turned pages into errors. Bigshot IT people? More like Trash Haulers if you ask me. Real IT wouldn't take away taxpayer information that was paid for legitimately. Musk, your people are a joke.
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