Lake Houston Sentinel - News
FEMA offers comprehensive storm aid from San Jac Mall
By JOSH HARDWICK
Recovery efforts continue to help residents restore their homes and businesses in the aftermath of hurricane Ike. Those who suffered damage from the storm may be eligible for federal disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
FEMA opened a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) Sept. 28 in the former Mervyn’s store in the northwest corner of San Jacinto Mall with the goal of providing storm victims with a, “one-stop shop” for all their post-Ike needs.
DRC Manager Karrie Beardall said that residents can help expedite their own recovery process by registering with FEMA either by phone (1-800-621-FEMA) or by web (www.fema.gov).
After receiving a registration number, storm victims can then come to the center and sit down with a representative who will review each case and determine the types of aid for which they qualify.
“We will have many more agencies here in the coming days: crisis counseling, legal services, the Texas Department of Insurance, United Way, Workforce Services and Disaster Housing,” said Beardall. “They can come in and get all their questions answered and we will make it as painless as possible.”
Even disaster victims with pending insurance claims are urged to register with FEMA, in case there are damages not covered by their providers.
Beardall also warned applicants not to despair if they receive a denial letter from the agency.
“A lot of people see the word, ‘denied’ in the letter and throw it away thinking that we can’t help them, but really that is just the first step in the process,” she said.
Claims denied by FEMA are immediately referred to the SBA, where disaster victims could qualify for low-interest loans to cover any damages.
If for some reason an applicant is denied a loan, then the file is put back into the system to be re-reviewed by FEMA, Beardall said.
Residents with insurance policies must first complete their claims before receiving disaster aid from the government.
“We’re not going to cut someone a check if their insurance company is going to cut them one, too,” she said. “But we can help if they are under-insured after their claim has been settled.”
Many residents have been frustrated by the slow response of their insurance providers in reviewing claims, Beardall explained, which is why the DRC is staffed by representatives from the Texas Department of Insurance to help them understand their policies.
When registering online or over the phone with FEMA, applicants should have ready their Social Security number, a current and pre-disaster address, a call back number, their total household annual income, a routing and account number for their bank (if they wish to electronically transfer disaster assistance funds into their account) and a description of their losses caused by the storm.
After registering with FEMA, applicants need only bring the registration number to the center, although proof of identity or address may be requested on a case-by-case basis.
The San Jacinto Mall DRC will be open seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for at least the next several weeks, or until all needs are met.
“We will remain here until people stop walking through the door,” said Beardall.
FEMA opened a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) Sept. 28 in the former Mervyn’s store in the northwest corner of San Jacinto Mall with the goal of providing storm victims with a, “one-stop shop” for all their post-Ike needs.
DRC Manager Karrie Beardall said that residents can help expedite their own recovery process by registering with FEMA either by phone (1-800-621-FEMA) or by web (www.fema.gov).
After receiving a registration number, storm victims can then come to the center and sit down with a representative who will review each case and determine the types of aid for which they qualify.
“We will have many more agencies here in the coming days: crisis counseling, legal services, the Texas Department of Insurance, United Way, Workforce Services and Disaster Housing,” said Beardall. “They can come in and get all their questions answered and we will make it as painless as possible.”
Even disaster victims with pending insurance claims are urged to register with FEMA, in case there are damages not covered by their providers.
Beardall also warned applicants not to despair if they receive a denial letter from the agency.
“A lot of people see the word, ‘denied’ in the letter and throw it away thinking that we can’t help them, but really that is just the first step in the process,” she said.
Claims denied by FEMA are immediately referred to the SBA, where disaster victims could qualify for low-interest loans to cover any damages.
If for some reason an applicant is denied a loan, then the file is put back into the system to be re-reviewed by FEMA, Beardall said.
Residents with insurance policies must first complete their claims before receiving disaster aid from the government.
“We’re not going to cut someone a check if their insurance company is going to cut them one, too,” she said. “But we can help if they are under-insured after their claim has been settled.”
Many residents have been frustrated by the slow response of their insurance providers in reviewing claims, Beardall explained, which is why the DRC is staffed by representatives from the Texas Department of Insurance to help them understand their policies.
When registering online or over the phone with FEMA, applicants should have ready their Social Security number, a current and pre-disaster address, a call back number, their total household annual income, a routing and account number for their bank (if they wish to electronically transfer disaster assistance funds into their account) and a description of their losses caused by the storm.
After registering with FEMA, applicants need only bring the registration number to the center, although proof of identity or address may be requested on a case-by-case basis.
The San Jacinto Mall DRC will be open seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for at least the next several weeks, or until all needs are met.
“We will remain here until people stop walking through the door,” said Beardall.
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