FEMA: Denial letters may not be last word on aid eligibility for

New Orleans CityBusiness, Oct 6, 2008

Some Louisiana residents who registered for FEMA disaster assistance may have received a letter saying their applications were denied. But the denial letters might not be the final word on whether an applicant is eligible for aid, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said today.

"A denial for a particular disaster grant does not necessarily mean that an applicant is not eligible for other types of assistance," said Jim Stark, director of FEMA's Louisiana Transitional Recovery Office. "It may also mean that FEMA does not have all the information needed to make a decision regarding the applicant's disaster aid."

Insurance could be one reason for the rejection letters, FEMA said.

By law, FEMA cannot duplicate financial assistance that is paid by insurance agencies or other organizations. Therefore, an applicant who has filed an insurance claim but has not yet settled the claim may receive a determination letter advising them they are ineligible for FEMA assistance. Once the applicant's insurance claim is settled, that amount must be reported to FEMA and documentation faxed or mailed so the application can continue to be processed.

FEMA said applicants who received denial letters might need to:

- Return additional insurance information;

- Provide information to prove occupancy or ownership of the damaged property;

- Fill out all paperwork; or

- Complete and return the U.S. Small Business Administration loan application.

Applicants whose insurance information is missing should send it to FEMA as soon as the claim is settled. However, disaster victims do not have to wait for their insurance settlement before applying for an SBA loan.

Applicants who were denied Housing Assistance or Other Needs Assistance under FEMA's Individuals and Households Program and disagree with that decision should submit an appeal in writing. In their appeal letters, applicants should explain why they think the decision about the amount or type of assistance they received is not correct. They should provide an estimate, if possible, and specific examples, such as areas - including electrical, plumbing, floors, walls, ceilings - they feel were not addressed in the inspection process.

Insurance information and appeal letters should include the applicant's FEMA disaster registration identification number and the federal disaster declaration number. For Hurricane Gustav, this number is DR-1786-LA; for Hurricane Ike, DR-1792-LA.

Insurance information and appeal letters can be faxed to (800) 827-8112 with a cover sheet addressed to: Attention: FEMA - Individuals & Households Program.

Letters can be mailed to:

FEMA - Individuals & Households Program

National Processing Service Center

P.O. Box 10055

Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055

Applicants have 60 days from the date of the determination letter to appeal. For more information about a FEMA appeal, call the FEMA helpline at (800) 621-FEMA (3362) or TTY (800) 462-7585.