A Q&A guide for dealing with FEMA Some tips on who may apply for aid an how to do it Updated: Monday, 12 Sep 2011, 11:39 AM CDT Published : Monday, 12 Sep 2011, 11:39 AM CDT
BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) - Here are some common questions that people in Bastrop might have, and the answers from the Federal Emergency Management Agency: Question: Who qualifies for assistance? Answer: To qualify for assistance, your losses must have occurred in an area covered by a disaster declaration. And, if you have insurance, you must file a claim with your insurance company. Q: Is disaster assistance still available for those who have insurance? A: Two types of disaster assistance, "Housing Needs" and "Other than Housing Needs," are available to individuals, families and businesses in an area whose property has been damaged or destroyed and whose losses are not covered by insurance. Q: Who qualifies for "Housing Needs Assistance?" A: To receive money or help for "Housing Needs" that are the result of a disaster, all of the following must be true: You have losses in an area that has been declared a disaster by the president. You have filed for insurance benefits and the damage to your property is not covered by your insurance or your insurance settlement is insufficient to meet your losses. You or someone who lives with you is a citizen of the United States, a non-citizen national, or a qualified alien. The home in the disaster area is where you usually live and where you were living at the time of the disaster. You are not able to live in your home now, you cannot get to your home due to the disaster, or your home requires repairs because of damage from the disaster. Q: Who does not qualify for "Housing Needs Assistance?" A: You may not be eligible for "Housing Needs" assistance if: You have other, adequate rent-free housing that you can use (for example, rental property that is not occupied). Your home that was damaged is your secondary or vacation residence. Your expenses resulted only from leaving your home as a precaution and you were able to return to your home immediately after the incident. You have refused assistance from your insurance provider(s). Your only losses are business losses (including farm business other than the farmhouse and self-employment) or items not covered by this program. The damaged home where you live is located in a designated flood hazard area and your community is not participating in the National Flood Insurance Program. In this case, the flood damage to your home would not be covered, but you may qualify for rental assistance or items not covered by flood insurance, such as water wells, septic systems, medical, dental, or funeral expenses. FEMA has established a special webpage for the Bastrop fires that offers additional details: http://www.fema.gov/news/event.fema?id=15616
