Dear Friend,
Hard to believe it's almost November. Time flies. As we continue to recover from Hurricane Harvey, know that your needs and the needs of our community are always on my mind. What we experienced was catastrophic. The gravity of our situation is not lost on me or my Texas colleagues, nor is it lost on Congress as a whole. We are UNITED in helping each other: from the Gulf Coast, to the East Coast, to the West Coast.
Mark your calendar with these upcoming deadlines:
Apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance by October 31
Request for Public Assistance ends October 31
Hotel waivers are extended to November 7
Apply for Disaster Assistance by November 24
Go 'Stros!!
Sincerely,
Randy K. Weber
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APPLY FOR DISASTER ASSISTANCE |
The severity and enormity of Harvey is unlike anything we have ever seen. Over 880,000 people are registered for disaster assistance. With the first and second disaster relief funding bills, we have secured additional Disaster Assistance Funding for FEMA. More disaster relief funding bills are expected.
Register for assistance BEFORE November 24→ www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
Registering online is the quickest way to register for FEMA assistance. If you do not have access to the internet, you may register by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585. You may also use the FEMA mobile app.
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AGENCY ASSISTANCE |
The Office of the Flood Insurance Advocate provides general education and guidance on the National Flood Insurance Program. They have resources on NFIP flood insurance, hazard mitigation assistance, flood hazard mapping, and floodplain management at www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program-flood-insurance-advocate.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering assistance. Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to Texas businesses and residents. Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure web site at www.disasterloan.sba.gov/ela or call (800) 659-2955.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has resources for those recovering from a disaster. More information may be found on www.portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/info/disasterresources.
For help with insurance questions and recovery resources, visit Texas Department of Insurance's Help After Harvey website — www.tdi.texas.gov/consumer/storms/helpafterharvey.html
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| FEMA FRAUD AWARENESS |
FEMA is encouraging disaster survivors from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, and the California Wildfires to watch for and report any suspicious activity or potential fraud from scam artists, identity thieves and other criminals attempting to defraud the government. In every disaster, it is important to provide information to the public on how to guard against fraud and report suspicious activity.
If you believe you or someone you know is victim of fraud, please report suspicious activity or fraud to DHS Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-323-8603 or TTY 1-844-889-4357 or file a complaint online at www.oig.dhs.gov. The tipline is 1-866-223-0814 or email FEMA-OCSO-Tipline@fema.dhs.gov.
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APPEALS PROCESS |
FEMA Individuals and Households Program applicants who have been found ineligible for assistance can have FEMA revisit their cases.
Applicants must read their letters carefully. It should explain any problems that could be corrected. If a mistake has been made, they should let FEMA know right away by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585) or visiting a Disaster Recovery Center. For a complete list in TX14, visit my congressional website, www.weber.house.gov.
Everyone has the right to appeal. Appeals may relate to eligibility, the amount or type of help provided, a late application, a request to return money, or continuing help. The appeal must be sent to and postmarked within 60 days after you receive the letter.
Explain in writing why you think the decision about the amount or type of assistance is not correct.
When submitting the letter, the applicant needs to include his or her full name, date and place of birth and current address.
Sign the letter. It must be notarized and accompany a copy of a state-issued identification card. If you cannot do that, write: “I hereby declare under the penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.”
Date the appeal letter and include the FEMA application number and the disaster number (DR-4332) and mail it to:
FEMA National Processing Service Center
P. O. Box 10055
Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055
FAX: 800-827-8112; Attention: FEMA
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