The height of the summer is often fraught with the vengeance of Mother Nature in the forms of hurricanes, tornadoes and severe thunderstorms.  These acts of nature can often devastate towns and their residents.  As a result, FEMA has amended their Individual Assistance Program to address the challenges faced by survivors.

These updates include:

 

Flexible Funding (New Benefits)

Serious Needs Assistance

Money to help you pay for essential items like food, water, baby formula, breastfeeding supplies, medication and other emergency supplies.

Displacement Assistance

Money to help with immediate housing needs if you cannot return to your home because of the disaster.

The money can be used to stay in a hotel, with family and friends, or other options while you look for a rental unit.

 

Expanded Eligibility

Simplified Other Needs Assistance

FEMA no longer requires survivors to apply for a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loan before being considered for certain types of assistance.

Survivors now have the option to apply for a low-interest SBA loan at the same time they apply for FEMA assistance.

Help Underinsured People

If you received an insurance payout that did not cover the cost of damage to your home or property, you may still be eligible to receive money from FEMA.

Keep in mind, FEMA assistance is not a replacement for home, renters or flood insurance, and will not cover all losses from a disaster.

Expanded Criteria for Home Repair Assistance

You may receive money to repair the parts of your home damaged by the disaster regardless of pre-existing conditions. You can also make repairs that prevent similar damage from future disasters.

Made Accessibility Improvements

Money to help you make accessibility repairs to your home (such as exterior ramp, grab bars, and paved path to the home entrance) if you have a disability.

Repairs can be made when these items are damaged during a disaster. Improvements to the home can be made when these features were not present before the disaster but are needed due to a pre-existing disability or a disability caused by the disaster.

Simplified Assistance for Self-employed Applicants

If you are self-employed, FEMA may offer money to repair or replace the disaster-damaged tools and equipment needed to do your job.

Expanded Assistance for Computing Devices

You may now receive money for a personal or family computer that is damaged by a disaster. You may also receive money for additional computers required for work, school or access and functional needs.

 

Simplified Application Process

Streamlined Temporary Housing Assistance Applications

Reduced documentation requirements if you are seeking continued temporary housing assistance. Individual caseworkers will engage closely with you to offer support and increase transparency.

Removed Barriers for Late Applicants

If you are requesting approval for a late application, you no longer have to provide documentation supporting the reason for your late application.

 

Simplify the Process for Appeals

If you disagree with a FEMA decision and wish to appeal, you will no longer need to provide a signed, written appeal letter to accompany the supporting documentation.

 To access these services, please go to FEMA’s website.

#FEMA #AssistancePrograms #Survivors #CBHomeCare

 

CBHomeCare and our Family of Providers are happy to assist you with assessing your family’s needs and helping to provide the care necessary to help keep your loved one at home where they want to be. Please feel free to call us at 800-700-0008, and we will be happy to answer all of your questions. You can also click here to read about our services.

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