RSS feed source: Federal Emergency Management Agency

AUSTIN, Texas – As eligible Texas flood survivors start to receive funds from FEMA for rent, home repairs and other categories of assistance, be assured that disaster assistance funds are tax-free.

When you receive your award letter, FEMA will notify you of the appropriate use of disaster assistance funds. FEMA will also remind you to use the money only for disaster-related expenses.

Ten counties are designated for federal assistance for the July 2-18 severe storms and flooding in Central Texas: Burnet, Guadalupe, Kerr, Kimble, McCulloch, Menard, San Saba, Tom Green, Travis and Williamson.

If you applied and were approved for FEMA assistance, you will receive a check. You may also receive a direct deposit payment, if you chose to have the money deposited into your bank account. Your award letter will arrive within a day or two after that digital payment or check.

Disaster assistance can include grants for hotel stays or other temporary housing and for basic repairs for flood damage to your home. The money can also be used to help you repair or replace appliances, room furnishings, and a personal or family computer damaged by the disaster.

Disaster grants are not for regular living expenses such as utilities, food, travel, entertainment, or any discretionary expenses not directly related to the disaster.

If you spend the grants on anything other than their intended purpose, you may be denied future

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RSS feed source: Federal Emergency Management Agency

Revisions Aimed at Helping to Clarify Claims Process

SANTA FE, N.M. – The FEMA Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office has updated its Program and Policy Guide (PPG) to Version 2.0, a comprehensive document outlining the claims process and policy and procedural requirements for the people impacted by the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire. The PPG version 2.0 supersedes version 1.1. 

The new version of the PPG is aligned with the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Act (“Act”) passed by Congress. It incorporates additional information on risk reduction, diminution in value (DIV), the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), acequia costs, cascading impacts, and detailed guidance for appeals, and arbitration, reopening claims and requests for information (RFI). “The updated PPG 2.0 compiles all policies implemented by the Claims Office into a single document and reflects our commitment to addressing the unique needs of impacted communities and maximizing the fair and accurate compensation to claimants,” said Jay Mitchell, Director of Operations at the New Mexico Joint Recovery Office.

For questions, contact our Claims Office helpline at 505-995-7133. Helpline staff are available from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday. You can also leave a voicemail outside of regular operating hours. The Claims Office is committed to meeting the needs of people impacted by the fire and subsequent flooding as outlined in the Fire Assistance Act. As of August 5,

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RSS feed source: Federal Emergency Management Agency

Revisions Aimed at Helping to Clarify Claims Process

SANTA FE, N.M. – The FEMA Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office has updated its Program and Policy Guide (PPG) to Version 2.0, a comprehensive document outlining the claims process and policy and procedural requirements for the people impacted by the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire. The PPG version 2.0 supersedes version 1.1. 

The new version of the PPG is aligned with the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Act (“Act”) passed by Congress. It incorporates additional information on risk reduction, diminution in value (DIV), the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), acequia costs, cascading impacts, and detailed guidance for appeals, and arbitration, reopening claims and requests for information (RFI). “The updated PPG 2.0 compiles all policies implemented by the Claims Office into a single document and reflects our commitment to addressing the unique needs of impacted communities and maximizing the fair and accurate compensation to claimants,” said Jay Mitchell, Director of Operations at the New Mexico Joint Recovery Office.

For questions, contact our Claims Office helpline at 505-995-7133. Helpline staff are available from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday. You can also leave a voicemail outside of regular operating hours. The Claims Office is committed to meeting the needs of people impacted by the fire and subsequent flooding as outlined in the Fire Assistance Act. As of August 5,

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RSS feed source: Federal Emergency Management Agency

DENVER – This afternoon, FEMA authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Oak Fire burning in Archuleta County, Colorado near Pagosa Springs.

FEMA Region 8 approved the state’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) after receiving the request this afternoon and determining that the fire threatened such destruction that it would constitute a major disaster.

At the time of the request, the Oak Fire was threatening more than 5,100 buildings and 2,000 homes. The fire started on August 10 and has burned more than 150 acres.

 “The Oak Fire is the third Fire Management Assistance Grant FEMA has approved in Colorado in the last several days. FEMA stands by to offer continued support to the State of Colorado to ensure federal resources are available for firefighting efforts,” said FEMA Region 8 Acting Administrator Katherine Fox.

The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the state’s eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling designated fires. These grants do not provide assistance to individual home or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire.

Fire Management Assistance Grants are provided through the President’s Disaster Relief Fund and are made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible items can include expenses

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