MANVILLE: FEMA official says, ‘Read letters sent to you’

To the editor:
   I visited one of the disaster recovery centers (DRCs) this morning and was able to listen to the staff meeting. One of the issues they have been trying to help people with is this:
   Some people affected by prior disasters, and who received FEMA assistance funds in the past, are coming into the centers to ask why all they are getting is housing assistance funds when their house has sustained damage from this recent storm.
   After investigation, what is commonly found is that when they filed their initial claim for assistance (from some prior disaster) and received those initial FEMA funds, they were sent a letter that told them specifically what the money they received was for.
   Part of the funds they received were to be utilized to purchase flood insurance. The letter spells that out and tells them that if they do not maintain flood insurance on the dwelling from that point forward, they may not qualify for FEMA assistance (beyond emergency housing assistance) in the future.
   FEMA staff members are able to pull up the initial letter on the computer systems and show it to the registrant. Typically the person then remembers that they got the letter and replies, “We saw that but didn’t feel we could afford it.”
   Part of the “rules” that Congress laid out for FEMA disaster assistance response is that FEMA will help you the first time, but, if you are found to be in a flood zone, then it is then your responsibility to be diligent in maintaining flood insurance from that point forward.
   When you receive a letter from FEMA, read it!
   One thing that results in a letter from FEMA is that it needs your insurance information. This request does not mean they need your entire insurance policy. What FEMA is waiting for is typically one of two things (or both): the declaration page of your policy (which is usually one of the first couple of pages, and only one or two pages). The declaration page is the page that spells out what your specifically policy coverages are.
   The other thing that FEMA commonly waits for is the letter that your insurance company mails to you and describes what your insurance company has paid for. It is typically a line-by-line breakdown. (As an example: cook stove: $350; refrigerator: $350.)
   These do not necessarily apply to everyone, but the point I need to make is read your letter all the way to the end — and when you receive monies direct deposited into your bank account, be sure you read the letter that may follow by a couple of days. There is valuable information in the letter.
Robin Smith
FEMA Media Relations