Individual Assistance (IA)

1. Individual Assistance(IA)

2. IA Registration Process • There are several ways to register with FEMA: • Go online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. Or, if you have a smartphone, download the FEMA app at https://www.fema.gov/mobile-app. • Online registration is the quickest way to register for assistance. • Phone registration 800-621-3362. For TTY call 800-462-7585. Those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS) can call 800-621-3362. • Survivors also can register with FEMA at a Disaster Recovery Center. Locations are listed at www.fema.gov/DRC 2

3. Inspection Process • After registration for home damage, the applicant will receive a call from FEMA to schedule an appointment for a home inspection. • As part of the inspection process, survivors must provide proof of ownership or occupancy. • Homeowners may show a tax bill, mortgage payment receipt or insurance policy with the property’s address. • Renters may show a lease, rent receipt, utility bill or other document confirming the home was their primary residence at the time of the disaster. • Homeowners and renters must also present a valid driver’s license or other photo ID. 3

4. Types of Individual Assistance and Eligibility

5. Types of Individual Assistance • Individuals and Households Program (IHP), 42 U.S.C. 5174 • Community Services Programs: • Disaster Case Management, 42 U.S.C. 5189d • Crisis Counseling, 42 U.S.C. 5183 • Disaster Unemployment, 42 U.S.C. 5177 • Disaster Legal Services, 42 U.S.C. 5182 • Other Programs: • Transportation Assistance, 42 U.S.C. 5189c • Cora Brown Fund, 42 U.S.C. 5201(b) 5

6. IHP: General Eligibility Criteria • Damage caused by the disaster • The disaster-caused need cannot be met through other forms of assistance or insurance • Primary residence for housing assistance • Residence is uninhabitable or inaccessible • Applicant satisfies citizenship eligibility criteria • U.S. Citizen • Non-Citizen National • Qualified Aliens References: 42 U.S.C. 5174 Stafford Act Section 408 8 U.S.C. 1611 44 C.F.R. 206.110 - 206.120 6

7. Temporary Housing Assistance IHP Provides Assistance For: • Temporary Housing – • Financial Assistance • Initial Rental Assistance • Continued Rental Assistance • Direct Housing • Manufactured Housing Units and Recreational Vehicles • Multi-family Lease and Repair Program • Direct Lease References: 42 U.S.C. 5174(c)(1)(A) and 5174 (c)(1)(B) Stafford Act Section 408 44 C.F.R. 206.110 - 206.120 7

8. Additional IHP Financial Assistance • Home Repair Assistance • Home Replacement Assistance • Semi-permanent/Permanent Housing Construction (if authorized), and • Other Necessary Expenses or Serious Needs (Other Needs Assistance (ONA)) References: 42 U.S.C. 5174(c)(2), 5174(c)(3), 5174(c)(4), 5174(e) Stafford Act Section 408 44 C.F.R. 206.110 - 206.120 8

9. Temporary Housing Assistance • Financial Assistance Cap • Program Maximum for financial assistance: $33,300 FY2017 (adjusted annually by CPI). • Direct Assistance • No financial cap • Duration of Temporary Housing – Not to exceed 18 months from date of declaration, unless extended. References: 42 U.S.C. 5174(b),(c), & (d) Stafford Act Section 408(b),(c), & (d) 44 CFR 206.110 - 206.118 9

10. Repair and Replacement Assistance • Owner-occupied primary residences at the time of disaster • Return home to safe, sanitary, living, or functioning condition • Not intended to restore to pre-disaster condition • Amount of loss is determined by inspection and is known as the FEMA Verified Loss • Up to IHP maximum • Replacement is intended for destroyed homes References: 42 U.S.C. 5174(b) & (c) Stafford Act Section 408(b) & (c) 44 C.F.R. 206.110 - 206.117 10

11. ONA • Types of Assistance: • Medical, Dental, Funeral, and Childcare (Non SBA Dependent) • Personal Property, Transportation, Moving and Storage, and other necessary expenses. (SBA Dependent) • Counts against financial assistance cap References: 42 U.S.C. 5174(e) Stafford Act Section 408(e) 44 C.F.R. 206.119 11

12. Applicant Appeals 12

13. Applicant Appeals • IA applicants may appeal any agency determination regarding eligibility. • Grounds for appeals: • Eligibility for assistance, including recoupment decisions • Amount or type of assistance • Denial of Continued Rental Assistance • Termination of Direct Housing AssistanceReference: 42 U.S.C. 5189a Stafford Act Section 423 44 C.F.R. 206.115 13

14. Appeals (Continued) Required Format for the Applicant’s Appeal: • The appeal must be: • Filed within 60 days after the date the agency notifies the applicant of the award or denial, • In writing, • Explain the reason(s) for the appeal, and • Signed. • Third party appeals must include a signed statement from the applicant authorizing the third party to represent him or her. Reference: 42 U.S.C. 5189a Stafford Act Section 423 44 C.F.R. 206.115 DOLR 6-97 to 6-100 14

15. Appeals Continued • How FEMA Handles the Appeals: • Appeals are handled by the Specialized Processing Unit that is a part of the Applicants Services Section under the IHP Service Delivery Branch. • FEMA must acknowledge receipt of the appeal in writing and provide written notice of the appeal decision within 90 days of receiving the appeal. • Per 44 C.F.R. 206.115, this appeal decision is final. Reference: 42 U.S.C. 5189a Stafford Act Section 423 44 C.F.R. 206.115 15

16. Applicant File Request • Applicant Making a Request • Full Name • Date of Birth • Damaged Dwelling Address • FEMA application number or SS# • Notarized OR 2. Include a copy of a Gov/state issued ID card OR 3. Include the following statement, “I hereby declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.” • Request must be signed/hand written name Privacy Act 5 U.S.C. 552 DHS regulations 6 C.F.R. 5.21 16

17. File request from 3rd Party • 3rd Party includes request from counsel representing the Applicant • Written Consent from the Applicant • Full Name • Date of Birth • Damaged Dwelling Address • FEMA application number or SS# • Notarized OR 2. Include a copy of a Gov/state issued ID card OR 3. Include the following statement, “I hereby declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.” • Must include the 3rd party designation • Examples Letter of Representation, POA (not required), or on written consent 17

18. File Request and Appeals Online: Create Account on DisasterAssistance.gov and upload documents directly into their file Fax: 1-800-827-8112 Mail: FEMA Mailroom PO Box 10055 Hyattsville, MD 20783 18

19. Resources • 408 of the Stafford Act – Individuals and Households Program, 42 U.S.C. 5174 • 44 CFR Part 206.110 – 206.120 • Individuals and Households Program Unified Guidance (IHPUG) 19

20. QUESTIONS? 20