Hello folks and happy Saturday! It’s been a few weeks since we’ve provided an update from FEMA. Here is the latest including new extended deadlines…
- Residents can register for FEMA assistance by going online to www.disasterassistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362 for voice, 711, or Video Relay Service. Survivors who are deaf, hard of hearing or who have difficulty speaking and use a TTY, should call 800-462-7585 directly. The same number can be used for 711, VRS and other relay services.
- FEMA Registration Deadline for Irma and Maria has been extended to December 18th
- Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) has been extended to December 29th for both hurricanes Irma an Maria. DUA is funded by FEMA but administered by the Territory.
- Survivors that lost their jobs as a result of the hurricanes should register with the Virgin Island Department of Labor (not with FEMA) on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the USVI Legislature building.
- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is making the Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP) available for uninsured survivors to ensure they have access to medicines and medical equipment. The free program provides a 30-day supply of covered drugs and medical supplies that can be renewed every 30 days for as long as the program is active. People who live in the disaster area and do not have any form of prescription insurance should call the EPAP enrollment toll-free hotline at 1-855-793-7470. The current enrollment period runs through Jan. 31, 2018.
- If you received an ineligibility decision from FEMA, you can appeal. If you received an ineligibility letter, don’t give up. It may not be the last word from FEMA. An ineligibility letter may mean that FEMA does not have all the information needed to approve an application for assistance. For example, you might need to:
-Provide information to prove occupancy or ownership of the damaged property
-Provide proof of identity
-Provide documentation to prove disaster damage
-Return insurance information
You may be found ineligible for assistance for various reasons, including:
-Your home is determined safe to occupy
-The home is not your primary residence
-Another member of your household has already registered for FEMA assistance.
Federal disaster assistance is designed to help with uninsured or underinsured losses caused by the disaster. The disaster assistance gives many a starting place or “hand up” to begin the recovery process. Applicants who wish to appeal a decision may do so in writing within 60 days from the date the ineligibility letter was received. Guidelines for appeals can be found in the Applicant’s Handbook sent to everyone who registered with FEMA.
At any time, survivors may call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585 to update their application information or get questions answered. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services may call 800-621-3362.