RSS feed source: Federal Emergency Management Agency

After Tennesseans apply for FEMA disaster assistance for the April 2-24 severe storms, a home inspection may be necessary to help determine whether the home is safe, sanitary and livable.

Information collected during the inspection is among the criteria FEMA uses to determine if applicants are eligible for federal assistance. Inspectors do not make decisions on eligibility for assistance.

The inspector will consider:

The structural soundness of the home, both inside and outside.Whether the electrical, gas, heat, plumbing and sewer or septic systems are all in working order.Whether the home is safe to live in and can be entered and exited safely.

Inspectors will call or text applicants to make an appointment to meet at the home. They will already have the applicant’s FEMA application number. They will leave messages or texts at the phone number listed on the FEMA application. These communications may come from unfamiliar phone numbers. It is important that applicants respond so their application can be processed.

Inspectors carry photo identification and will show it to the applicant. For security reasons, federal identification may not be photographed. Inspectors’ service is free and they will never ask for, or accept, money.

A typical home inspection takes about 30 to 45 minutes to complete. After the inspection, applicants should allow seven to 10 days for processing. If you have questions about the status of your application, you can

Click this link to continue reading the article on the source website.

RSS feed source: Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA’s Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers in Dickson and Cheatham counties are closing permanently Saturday, July 12. The deadline for homeowners and renters in Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Dyer, Hardeman, McNairy, Montgomery, Obion and Wilson counties to apply for FEMA assistance is Aug. 19.

Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers Closing:

Cheatham County: Kingston Springs City Hall, 396 Spring Street, Kingston Springs, TN 37082
Hours: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday, July 12. Dickson County: Dickson County Government Building, 303 Henslee Drive, Dickson, TN 37005
Hours: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday, July 12.

Open locations:

Dyer County: Bogota Community Center, 78 Sandy Lane, Bogota, TN 38007
Hours: 8 a.m.–6 p.m. CT Monday-SundayHardeman County: Safehaven Storm Shelter, 530 Madison Ave W., Grand Junction, TN 38039
Hours: 8 a.m.–6 p.m. CT Monday-SundayMcNairy County: Latta Theatre, 205 W. Court Ave., Selmer, TN 38375
Hours: 8 a.m.–6 p.m. CT Monday-SundayMontgomery County: Montgomery County Library, 350 Pageant Lane, Clarksville, TN 37040
Hours: 9 a.m.–8 p.m. CT Monday-Thursday; 9 a.m.–6 p.m. CT Friday-Saturday; 
1 p.m.–5 p.m. CT SundayObion County: Obion County Library, 1221 E. Reelfoot Ave., Union City, TN 38261
Hours: 8 a.m.–6 p.m. CT Monday-Saturday; closed Sunday

Can’t make it to a center? Apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA App for mobile devices or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Lines are open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. CT seven days a week and specialists speak many languages. To view an accessible video on how to apply, visit Three Ways to Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance – YouTube.

Click this link to continue reading the article on the source website.

RSS feed source: Federal Emergency Management Agency

AUSTIN, Texas – Texas survivors should be aware that con artists and criminals may try to obtain money or steal personal information through fraud after the storms and flooding that began July 2. In some cases, thieves try to apply for FEMA assistance using names, addresses and Social Security numbers they have stolen from survivors.

If a FEMA inspector contacts you or comes to your home and you did not submit a FEMA application, your information may have been used without your knowledge to create a FEMA application. If so, inform the inspector that you did not apply for FEMA assistance. The inspector will request a stop to the processing of your application.

If you did not apply for assistance and receive a letter from FEMA, or if you suspect fraudulent activity involving FEMA, you can report it to the FEMA Fraud Branch at  [email protected]. You may also write to FEMA Fraud and Internal Investigation Division, 400 C Street SW Mail Stop 3005, Washington, DC 20472-3005.

If you applied for FEMA assistance and received a notice that you already applied or that your application is being processed, you can visit a Disaster Recovery Center to receive in-person assistance. A recovery center is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily at the First Baptist Church at 625 Washington St. in Kerrville.

You should also report suspicious activity to the

Click this link to continue reading the article on the source website.