Voter registration ends Oct. 9
September 25, 2012
Assessor: St. Mary property owners file no complaints
September 25, 2012
Even the federal government has said not to believe what it says the first time. In a news release from Federal Emergency Management Agency coordinating officer Mike Hall applicants that received initial rejections for assistance following Hurricane Isaac might have better luck a second time.
“A denial may simply mean we need more information to make a decision regarding your claim,” Hall said.
Disaster assistance for qualified homeowners and renters may include grants to help pay for temporary housing, emergency home repairs or serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance.
Disaster grants and loans cover uninsured or uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits or agencies or organizations.
Hall said the most common reason for denial of housing assistance is that the applicant needs to provide FEMA with copies of insurance settlements before a grant application can be processed.
Additional reasons for denial could include the applicant not signing documents, not providing proof of ownership or occupancy, damage being to a secondary rather than primary residence, the applicant did not maintain flood insurance, a FEMA inspector had not been reached or even that someone else in the household might have also applied for assistance.
Applicants that have been denied can appeal in writing within 60 days from the date of initial rejection.
“Please work with us,” Hall said. “Help us help you.”
Applicants can contact the FEMA hotline at (800) 621-3353 or TTY (800) 462-7585, online at www.fema.gov/disaster/4080 or at www.gohesp.la.gov.
The roof is blown off a Cut Off home, photographed in the days after Hurricane Isaac. FEMA announced homeowners can apply for temporary-housing grants, emergency home repairs or other disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance.
