Monday deadline for FEMA assistance

A FEMA public information officer was making local rounds Thursday with an important message for those who suffered property damage in flooding earlier this year.
Erika Laws said those who haven’t applied for loss assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency must do so by Monday 6 p.m. central time if they want a share of the funds available.
The money is set aside to help those who suffered damage in storms and subsequent flooding that swept through the area March 25 through May 5.
According to Laws, 122 households from Jackson County have applied for help repairing their homes or replacing their belongings. Renters, as well as homeowners, are eligible for help.
Several weeks ago, FEMA established a temporary help center in Marianna where applicants could walk in and talk about their problems. With requests for assistance now dwindling, FEMA believes most of those in need have now contacted the agency. The assistance center and hotline will soon be shut down, but the agency wants to send out a final invitation for stragglers to apply.
The toll-free hotline will remain open today, through the weekend and until 6 p.m. Monday. The number is 1-800-621-3362.
Once an applicant’s form is in the system, an inspector with badge identification will come to assess the damage. That process has been ongoing for the past two months, Laws said.
Jackson is one of 17 counties which were certified for assistance to private property owners. Those 17 and five others were also certified for assistance to public entities, such as county government. As a result, the county will be able to recoup some of the money it spent repairing washed out roads and dealing with other flood-related problems.
Homeowners could receive up to $30,300 in assistance, Laws said.
Eligibility is not income-based, Laws said, and those who have received help in past events are still able to apply for this round of assistance.
Laws said some denial letters have been sent to a few applicants for various reasons.
“Some didn’t sign the documents, some didn’t provide the proper documentation, and there were other various reasons for the denials,” Laws said. “We encourage people who have received the letters to read them carefully and see why they were denied, and to see if they can correct the problem or appeal the denial.”
She said FEMA also urges homeowners to review their insurance policies carefully; many people assume they have flood coverage and often do not, she said.
Homeowners should look into purchasing flood insurance if they find they don’t have it, she advised. Laws recommended that those in need of coverage research the National Flood Insurance Program.