Governor Peter Shumlin has announced that Addison, Orange and Bennington Counties have received the Individual Assistance Declaration, joining Windham, Chittenden, Washington, Rutland and Windsor.
‘This is critical for homeowners and businesses facing expensive damages and losses from Tropical Storm Irene,’ the Governor said.
Assistance for losses sustained anytime after the storm may include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help recover from the effects of the disaster. Even those with insurance may be eligible for help from FEMA if their insurance policy does not cover all their needs, FEMA said.
To apply:
Step 1: Register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. There are several ways to register:
Apply online anytime at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
Call 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY at 800-462-7585. Those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS) may call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice. Multilingual operators are available to assist with the application process.
By smartphone or tablet, use m.fema.gov, or for devices with the Android operating system, a FEMA App can be downloaded at market.android.com/details?id=gov.fema.mobile.android.
When applying for aid you will receive a nine-digit registration number that can be used for reference when corresponding with FEMA.
It is helpful to have the following information handy:
Current telephone number;
Address at the time of the disaster and current address;
Social Security number, if available;
A general list of damages and losses;
If insured, the name of insurance company, agent and policy number; and
Bank routing number for any direct deposit.
Step 2: Receive a property inspection.
Within a few days after registering, eligible applicants will be telephoned to make an appointment to have their damaged property inspected. The inspectors, who are FEMA contractors and carry identification badges, visit to make a record of damage. They do not make a determination regarding assistance. There is no cost for the inspection.
Step 3: All applicants will receive a letter from FEMA regarding the status of their requests for federal assistance. Some will also receive an application for a low-interest disaster recovery loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Anyone who has questions about the letter from FEMA should call the helpline (800-621-3362 or TTY, 800-462-7585).
Those who receive an application packet from the SBA should complete and submit the forms. No one is required to accept a loan but submitting the application may open the door to additional FEMA grants.
FEMA sent out 35 field reps to counties that have received the Individual Assistance Declaration. These reps have been handing out materials residents will need and have been answering one on one questions.
The Governor outlined steps that his administration is taking in anticipation of more rainfall tonight and into tomorrow. Emergency management officials are closely monitoring the weather and advising Vermonters to once again take precautions for the possibility of high water and power outages.
Governor's office. 9.6.2011