When FEMA Rings Your Bell 

Tips To Speed the Home Inspection Process

Release Date: September 14, 2009
Release Number: 1857-010

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Residents in Cattaraugus, Chautauqua and Erie counties who have registered for disaster assistance following the August 8-10 floods should expect a house inspection by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), according to the New York State Emergency Management Office (SEMO) and FEMA.

HERE IS WHAT TO EXPECT:

Inspector's Call: After an applicant registers -- either online at www.disasterassistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362 (TTY 1-800-462-7585), and is assigned a 9-digit application number, an inspector will call to schedule an appointment to visit the damaged property; this generally happens within 10 days of registration.

Inspectors are private contractors who wear official FEMA identification. Applicants should note that when inspectors call, they will confirm registration details, including Social Security numbers. Inspectors will not solicit these details from applicants. Keep the scheduled appointment to ensure the assistance process continues quickly and smoothly.

Inspector's Visit: When inspectors visit applicants, they are assessing disaster-related damage for both real and personal property. Inspectors file damage reports; they do not determine eligibility.

The applicant or someone who is 18 or older and lived in the household prior to the disaster must be present for the scheduled appointment. The inspector will ask for identification and proof of ownership and occupancy (for homeowners) and occupancy only (for renters). Flood survivors can speed up the process by having the appropriate documents on hand:

• A photo ID to prove identity, such as:
  
  
  • Driver's license or passport
    
• Proof of Occupancy, such as:
  
  
  • Utility bill - from one of the major utilities, such as electricity, gas or water with the address of the damaged home and the applicant's name listed; or
  • Merchant's statement - credit card bills, delivery notices, or other first class mail, addressed to the applicant and showing the address of the damaged home; or
  • Employer's statement - pay stubs and similar documents addressed to the applicant and showing the address of the damaged home; or
  • Current driver's license or New York State ID - showing the address of the damaged home.
    
• Proof of Ownership, such as:
  
  
  • Deed - original deed or deed of trust to the property; showing applicant as the legal owner; or
  • Title - lists applicant on actual escrow or title document for the purchase of the home; or
  • Mortgage payment book - names the applicant along with the address of the damaged home;
  • Real property insurance - for the damaged home, with applicant's name listed as the insured; or
  • Tax receipts or a property tax bill - lists the address of the damaged home and the applicant as the responsible party to the assessments.

After the Inspector's Visit: Within 10 days of the inspector's visit, the applicant receives a letter from FEMA containing a decision.

• If eligible - the letter will be followed by a check or an electronic funds transfer.  The letter explains what the money can be used for.
  
• If not eligible - the letter will give the reason(s) for denial. Applicants will be informed of their right to appeal, and information on the appeal process.
  
• If applicants are referred to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), they will receive an SBA low-interest loan application in the mail. Applicants do not have to accept this loan option.

However, to be considered for other forms of federal disaster assistance, applicants must complete and return the SBA paperwork.

The first step in applying for disaster assistance is to register with FEMA at www.disasterassistance.gov , or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 1-800-462-7585. These toll-free telephone numbers will operate seven days a week, from 7 a.m. - 1 a.m. Homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and nonprofit organizations can register online anytime.

Assistance to individuals may include grants to help pay for uninsured temporary housing needs, essential home repairs and/or other serious disaster-related expenses, such as medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs.

FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capabilities to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from and mitigate all hazards.