As of September 21, 90,910 residents of Cook County have registered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency since President Obama issued his August 19 proclamation declaring Northern Illinois counties flood disaster areas. This made victims of damage and loss due to the flooding that hit Chicago this summer eligible to apply for financial assistance from the federal government. To date, FEMA has conducted 85,450 home inspections and approved payments totaling $190.1 million for household damages and losses.
The deadline for filing disaster recovery applications with FEMA is October 18. Counselors advise people who suffered damage to their homes or losses of valuable personal items not to try to make their own assessments of damages and losses – LET FEMA DISASTER ADJUSTERS DETERMINE THE MONETARY AMOUNT OF LOSSES AND DAMAGES.
Alderman Emma Mitts negotiated with Harlem Irving Plaza, owners of the Harold Washington Plaza Shopping Center, to donate use of the former Old Navy store at 4905 West North Avenue, for a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center. It is a One-Stop Shop where flood victims can find out what help they are eligible to receive, arrange for a home inspection, and file their disaster claims with FEMA and with SBA. Flood victims can call the FEMA HOTLINE at 1-800-621-3362 to file their claim, though federal disaster counselors suggest that people come in to the Center for more efficient service and to get all their questions answered face-to-face.
Persons who took pictures of the damage, made lists of their losses, and have receipts for items damaged and destroyed may bring them along to the Center when they register their claim. Disaster specialists tell victims not to be concerned if items destroyed by the flood were thrown out. They emphasize that the primary rule is: HEALTH & SAFETY FIRST! People should not risk their health by keeping items that may be breeding potentially toxic mold and mildew simply to prove the items existed. Home inspectors are trained to know how to estimate the total value of losses.
The deadline for filing disaster recovery applications with FEMA is October 18. Counselors advise people who suffered damage to their homes or losses of valuable personal items not to try to make their own assessments of damages and losses – LET FEMA DISASTER ADJUSTERS DETERMINE THE MONETARY AMOUNT OF LOSSES AND DAMAGES.
Alderman Emma Mitts negotiated with Harlem Irving Plaza, owners of the Harold Washington Plaza Shopping Center, to donate use of the former Old Navy store at 4905 West North Avenue, for a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center. It is a One-Stop Shop where flood victims can find out what help they are eligible to receive, arrange for a home inspection, and file their disaster claims with FEMA and with SBA. Flood victims can call the FEMA HOTLINE at 1-800-621-3362 to file their claim, though federal disaster counselors suggest that people come in to the Center for more efficient service and to get all their questions answered face-to-face.
Persons who took pictures of the damage, made lists of their losses, and have receipts for items damaged and destroyed may bring them along to the Center when they register their claim. Disaster specialists tell victims not to be concerned if items destroyed by the flood were thrown out. They emphasize that the primary rule is: HEALTH & SAFETY FIRST! People should not risk their health by keeping items that may be breeding potentially toxic mold and mildew simply to prove the items existed. Home inspectors are trained to know how to estimate the total value of losses.
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS TO NOT MISS THE FILING DEADLINE OF OCTOBER 18. ACT TODAY!
POINTS TO REMEMBER:
1. If you suffered flood damage and losses not covered by home insurance, come to the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center at 4905 West North Avenue (the former Old Navy store in the Harold Washington Plaza Shopping Center); or
2. Call the toll-free Disaster Hotline at 1-800-621-3362, 7:00 AM-10:00 PM daily;
3. If you filed an application prior to August 19th, you did not file with FEMA, so you must come to the Center or call the Hotline at 1-800-621-3362 and file an application BEFORE OCTOBER 18;
4. File a SBA Disaster Loan application at the Center or by calling 1-800-659-2955.
POINTS TO REMEMBER:
1. If you suffered flood damage and losses not covered by home insurance, come to the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center at 4905 West North Avenue (the former Old Navy store in the Harold Washington Plaza Shopping Center); or
2. Call the toll-free Disaster Hotline at 1-800-621-3362, 7:00 AM-10:00 PM daily;
3. If you filed an application prior to August 19th, you did not file with FEMA, so you must come to the Center or call the Hotline at 1-800-621-3362 and file an application BEFORE OCTOBER 18;
4. File a SBA Disaster Loan application at the Center or by calling 1-800-659-2955.
5. Don't forget to ask about your furnace! Since the flood happened over the summer, many people inore damage done to their heating unit.
6. FILE BY OCTOBER 18, 2010.
6. FILE BY OCTOBER 18, 2010.
Also, once a registration is filed, if additional damages become apparent later – such as foundation cracking or furnace failure – those claims can be made under the original application that is kept on file. If a person receives an Ineligibility Letter denying their claim, FEMA representatives advise them not to panic. It could simply mean that something was missing from the application or a signature was omitted. CALL THE FEMA HOTLINE AT 1-800-621-3362 OR BRING THE LETTER TO THE DISASTER RECOVERY CENTER FOR REVIEW. There is an appeals process if a victim is still not approved. Center staff can assist with this, as well.
People filing FEMA applications are also urged to file SBA Disaster Loan applications, even if they do not want or think they do not qualify for low-interest loans. This way, if FEMA doesn’t pay enough to complete all repairs or replace all losses, the Small Business Administration can help. If SBA rejects a disaster loan application, it kicks the claim back to FEMA for review and possible reconsideration. The point is to keep all options open. SBA staff are also on hand at the Disaster Recovery Center to assist in filing applications.
FEMA emphasizes that it will not pay for anything covered by home insurance.
FEMA staff also warn applicants that if they filed claims prior to the August 19th Presidential Declaration, they were registering with the state Red Cross and not for federal disaster relief through FEMA. They need to come to the Center immediately and register for assistance.
People filing FEMA applications are also urged to file SBA Disaster Loan applications, even if they do not want or think they do not qualify for low-interest loans. This way, if FEMA doesn’t pay enough to complete all repairs or replace all losses, the Small Business Administration can help. If SBA rejects a disaster loan application, it kicks the claim back to FEMA for review and possible reconsideration. The point is to keep all options open. SBA staff are also on hand at the Disaster Recovery Center to assist in filing applications.
FEMA emphasizes that it will not pay for anything covered by home insurance.
FEMA staff also warn applicants that if they filed claims prior to the August 19th Presidential Declaration, they were registering with the state Red Cross and not for federal disaster relief through FEMA. They need to come to the Center immediately and register for assistance.
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