FEMA deadline looms for Hurricane Ike victims living in hotels

New Orleans CityBusiness, Oct 22, 2008

A deadline looms for Hurricane Ike victims living in hotels or motels to contact FEMA so they can learn about their eligibility for continued assistance.

FEMA extended the cutoff for its transitional sheltering program from Oct. 14 to next Tuesday, after which FEMA will no longer pay for hotel stays for applicants deemed ineligible for the assistance.

FEMA today said there may be families staying in hotels and motels in the New Orleans metropolitan area who have not contacted a FEMA caseworker to determine their continued housing needs.

FEMA is urging families relying on the transitional sheltering program to

call (800) 621-3362 to learn about their eligibility for continued assistance.

Eligible applicants are those who have been found eligible for FEMA housing assistance or have not yet received a FEMA inspection of their damaged homes.

Ineligible applicants may include:

- Those for whom FEMA inspected the home and determined that the individual can live in the home;

- Those who, at the time of registration, indicated that there was no home damage or home damage was unknown and FEMA has not heard from the individual to schedule an inspection; or

- Those who, at the time of registration, indicated there was homeowner's insurance and FEMA advised the individual to contact their insurance company.