FEMA Disaster Assistance: What You Need To Know After Irma

BARTOW, FL — As Floridians continue to pick up the pieces of their lives following Hurricane Irma’s devastating visit last week, officials from Polk County are offering advice about FEMA Disaster Assistance that applies to residents across the state.

The first thing Polk County officials want folks to know is that all residents who suffered property damage or losses directly caused by Hurricane Irma are eligible to apply for assistance even if they have insurance. “Homeowners and renters may apply,” Kevin Watler, county spokesman, stressed in a Monday email. (For more local news from Florida, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts and newsletters from Lakeland Patch. Click here to find your local Florida Patch. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

Here are other things residents need to know:

Where To Apply

Residents who suffered losses may register in the following ways:

• By going online – www.DisasterAssistance.gov
• By phone – 800-621-3362
• By TTY – 800-462-7585
• By 711 or video relay services – 800-621-3362

The telephone lines are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week. Watler said they will remain so until further notice.

What Might Be Covered

FEMA assistance for individuals may include grants that cover such things as:

• Rent
• Temporary housing
• Home repairs to primary residences
• Medical, dental or funeral costs

“If you have insurance, FEMA may still be able to assist with disaster-related expenses that were underinsured or not covered by your policy,” Watler said.

What Happens Next

Once an application is filed, a FEMA inspector will reach out to schedule an inspection appointment with the applicant. Inspections generally take about 40 minutes or less and include verification of disaster-related losses and a review of ownership or residency records, he added. There is no cost for an inspection.

Watler reminds residents to make sure to ask for a FEMA housing inspector’s ID before an inspection begins to avoid scams.

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“All FEMA inspectors have prominent photo identification badges,” he said.

Anyone who suspects a person is posing as an inspector is asked to contact local law enforcement or the National Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721.

It takes FEMA up to two weeks to schedule an inspection appointment. After the inspection, FEMA will review the situation and notify the applicant by email or physical mail about the claim decision.

It is recommended applicants have these documents available for the inspection:

• Property owners – Proof of ownership, such as tax records, a mortgage payment book or copy of a homeowner’s insurance policy.
• Property owners and renters – Proof of residency, such as a driver’s license, utility bill or recent first-class government mail sent to the address or insurance policies
• Renters – A copy of the lease agreement

To find out more about getting help from FEMA, visit the agency’s Hurricane Irma webpage.

Photo courtesy of Polk County Emergency Management’s Facebook page