Federal Emergency Management Agency Public Information Officer Carmen Rodriguez says any resident, regardless of property owner or renter, should document damage and apply for individual assistance.
FEMA announced on Wednesday, August 28th, that all residents in Scott County are eligible for monetary assistance from damage done by severe weather between June 16 and July 23.
"Today [Aug. 29], we already have more than 25 people here in Scott County evaluating the areas that were affected, making plans with the emergency managers here in Scott County in order to start visiting those areas that were affected," Rodriguez said in an interview with WVIK. "Those areas affected, visiting persons, knocking the doors, go in person to speak with the community."
The ways to contact FEMA officials include calling FEMA directly. The number is 1-800-621-3362. Also, the disaster survivors can download and use the FEMA app. The final method is visiting disasterassistant.gov both in English and Spanish.
Rodriguez says FEMA is working with the Scott County Emergency Management Agency to find a suitable location for a disaster recovery center where residents can also apply for assistance. The chosen center will be open from 8 AM to 6 PM every day, except Sunday, at the former Davenport Fire Station on North Harrison Street in Davenport, Iowa.
Rodriguez says residents should first work with their insurance company and provide their policy number to FEMA; those without insurance can contact FEMA.
"After that, you're going to describe all the damages that you have in your home or your business. You need to let us know," Rodriguez said. "We are going to ask the disaster survivor first, the name, the name of the family members. We're going to ask your social security number, the address of the property that is damaged."
She says to include a temporary address if severe weather makes the property uninhabitable. A FEMA inspector will then contact the resident to set up an inspection.
"And then this FEMA inspector, be ready, probably is going to call you for an unknown number. Okay. But how we identify if it is a FEMA inspector or not. So we don't charge for that inspection. A FEMA inspector is not going to ask you for your FEMA registration number. FEMA is going to give you a registration number," Rodriguez said.
Once a FEMA official concludes the inspection, they will send the resident a letter determining how much aid can be accepted and when payment can be collected. Rodriguez says to set up a bank account with the agency to send funds automatically; otherwise, they will send a check.
She says they can appeal if someone were to receive a denial of funds.
"You read the letter completely. Okay. Don't read the letter. The first three sentences then say 'Oh, my God, FEMA didn't give me the money, and I'm going to get very mad, and the letter, I'm going to put the letter in the trash can'. Don't do that. If you already do it, so we have a copy of that letter," Rodriguez said. "But the good thing is to read the letter completely because we provide the information about why the assistance is not approved."
Usually, it's because the applicant did not send all necessary documents to FEMA, including insurance information, if applicable. If the funds are less than expected, the recipient can also appeal the amount and work with FEMA for additional funding.
She also wants to stress that renters can receive support for any loss of personal property within the rental units. At the same time, FEMA advises the property owner to apply for assistance to repair the property.
FEMA will also fund the loss of medication, food, baby items, and school supplies. If someone or a family is displaced, they can also apply for assistance to cover the displacement costs. Funds can also go towards transportation if a vehicle is damaged or lost, as well as funds to store personal property in storage if the home is badly damaged.
The deadline to apply for assistance is October 22nd, and Rodriguez says residents should not wait to apply as the process can take time.
She also wants to note that weary residents who think it could affect their finances should still apply.
"You don't need to put it in your taxes. It's not going to affect in any way your Medicare benefits, your food stamps, any other federal assistance, your pensions, federal pensions, nothing. It's not going to affect nothing. Absolutely nothing. It's a help because there was a disaster and you apply for that. You qualify. You get the money and everything is going to continue. It's for your recovery, that money," Rodriguez said.
Once FEMA and the Scott County Emergency Management Agency determine a disaster recovery center, they will inform the community.
