The clock is ticking to apply for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to repair damages from recent flood waters.
Missouri Governor Matt Blunt recently announced that citizens in 10 counties in Missouri would be eligible for disaster relief after flooding that occurred from June 1 to July 18.
Additionally, Blunt announced Nodaway County is eligible for public assistance, which includes aid to the county, townships and municipalities.
Kerry Sullivan, FEMA external affairs field specialist, said residents have until Wednesday, Aug. 27, to apply for assistance.
“The key thing is — if residents haven't registered, they need to do so in a timely manner,” Sullivan said.
To make an application to FEMA, either call (800) 621-3362 or log on to www.fema.gov. When contacting FEMA, individuals will need to provide an address where they can be reached, the address of the property affected, a description of the damage, banking information ññ including account and routing numbers.
He said individuals should also document any work they have done to the affected area and the amount they have paid out for the repairs.
“At the time of registration, people will get an application number that is unique to them,” he explained. “They will want that number when talking to FEMA. They will need to keep the number safe and secure. When it is time for the property to be inspected the inspector will know the number. That is part of the identification process.”
Sullivan added that a FEMA official may not be wearing a FEMA shirt or jacket, but they will always have a photo I.D. on them. FEMA officials will also never ask for money.
“If anyone asks for money and says they are from the government, they are a fraud,” he said.
Sullivan said many times people applying for FEMA assistance will receive a letter of denial, but that doesn't necessarily mean they will not be approved.
“If someone gets a letter of denial, that probably means something is wrong with the application,” he said. “It may be that not all the insurance information is there or the title to the property is not clear. There will be instructions of what to do to correct the packet. The appeal process will also be spelled out.”
Sullivan said many times people apply for a certain amount of money for estimated damages and, when they get further into the work they realize the damage is worse than they originally thought.
He said it is important to document everything as the repairs are made so that they can add to their application at a later time.
Sullivan said the aim of the FEMA assistance is to get people back in a home that is safe, sanitary and functional. He said the assistance would only be available for the primary home of the applicant.
“We do not assist in rebuilding second homes,” he said. “And we may not help restore the property to exactly the condition it was in before the damage.”
Maryville, Mo. —
