Those affected by Hurricane Irma who apply for FEMA disaster assistance, shouldn鈥檛 consider an initial denial of aid the final word.
That鈥檚 what FEMA Spokeswoman Nikki Gaskins said the organization is stressing. She said a denial letter doesn鈥檛 necessarily mean the applicant isn鈥檛 eligible for the aid.
鈥淪ometimes it can be just simply an indication that further information is needed,鈥� she said. 鈥漌e have seen where some people don鈥檛 fully understand the process, they don鈥檛 complete the application.鈥�
She said in other cases, the applicant鈥檚 insurance claim needs to be settled first before disaster aid can be granted. FEMA has to know what hurricane victims鈥� insurance covers because it can鈥檛 duplicate insurance payments.
Gaskins said those scenarios can result in FEMA notifying the applicant they鈥檙e ineligible. She recommends applicants read their denial letters carefully, as they may explain the problems that could be corrected.
People can update their applications by calling FEMA at (800) 621-3362 or going to a FEMA Recovery Center.
Gaskin said everyone has the right to appeal any type of FEMA decision.
鈥淏ut if they are going to appeal,鈥� she said, 鈥渋t鈥檚 so critical that they know they have to do it within 60 days from the date posted on the letter they received.鈥�
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 letter should explain why the applicant thinks the decision about the amount or type of assistance is incorrect. They鈥檒l also need to include their full name, the nine digit FEMA registration number and the four digit disaster number.
The letter will also need to be dated, signed and include a copy of a state-issued ID card. If that isn鈥檛 possible, the applicant can instead write 鈥淚 hereby declare under the penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.鈥�
The letter can be sent to the FEMA National Processing Service Center at P. O. Box 10055 Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055
The deadline to apply for FEMA assistance is November 9.
Thursday at 9 a.m. on WJCT鈥檚 First Coast Connect a FEMA spokesman and a Public Affairs Specialist with the U.S. Small Business Administration will be on the show answering live calls.
Lindsey Kilbride can be reached at lkilbride@wjct.org, 904-358-6359 or on Twitter at @.
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