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FEMA can offer financial assistance to area flood victims
By GARY HENRY
Staff Writer
Edgar and Clark County residents who sustained damage during the June flooding are encouraged to contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or www.FEMA.gov.
“People don’t realize they can get help,” said Duane Fidler, coordinator for the Edgar County Emergency Services & Disaster Agency (ESDA). “I don’t think people are taking advantage of it. It doesn’t need to have been devastating. If somebody got water in their basement, and it damaged their furnace or water heater, they need to report it.”
Patrick Richards with FEMA explained registration starts a process that can make individuals eligible for receiving help based upon what their insurance does not cover.
“Everything is handled individually,” said Richards, adding it is not possible to say exactly what damages FEMA will or won’t cover. “We can’t pay them double benefits.”
He stressed it is vital that people register to become eligible for financial assistance.
“First, we get them registered and then we send an inspector out,” said Richards. “Then we can focus on what kind of benefits are available.”
According to Fidler, anybody living in Edgar or Clark Counties are eligible to apply for the assistance because both counties were declared disaster areas following the floods.
The disaster declaration also means that local governmental bodies can seek federal assistance to recoup some flood related expenses.
“This is good new because it would have taken some of the townships years to recover from those expenses,” said Fidler.
Both Fidler and Richards said the registration period is still open and as of now, no closing deadlines are established, but they would prefer applicants not wait until the last minute.
“They need to do it now,” said Fidler.
Information released by Governor Rod Blagojevich’s office indicates the federal disaster declaration means individuals may be eligible for grants or loans to help with access to temporary housing or flood-related losses. Businesses that sustained losses can seek low interest loans.
“It’s just so important that people register,” said Richards.
Beware of frauds
SPRINGFIELD – Con artists are working Midwestern states attempting to recover from floods
One of the scams involves posing as a Federal Emergency Management Agency official to gain access to personal information or perhaps charge fees for providing the ersatz help. FEMA does not collect fees or charge for any service.
Officials recommend the following tips to reduce the risk of becoming a victim:
• Ask for ID. A FEMA or U.S. Small Business Administration shirt or jacket is not proof of someone’s affiliation with the federal government. The federal employees working disaster relief carry official photo identification which is important as applicants for assistance may receive a visit from more than one inspector.
• Do not give personal information such as a Social Security number or bank account numbers to individuals claiming affiliation with the federal government. FEMA inspectors do not require this information.
• FEMA representatives are not allowed to accept money. If someone claiming to be a federal employee or federal contractor attempts to collect money for their help, refuse to pay and immediately contact the nearest law enforcement agency. The information relayed to the police should include a description of the individual, the vehicle being used and if possible the license plate number.
•FEMA inspectors only verify damage. They will neither hire nor recommend contractors to make the repairs.
Anyone suspecting contractor fraud or false impersonation of an inspector should call the Illinois Attorney General’s office at 800-243-0618, or the FEMA fraud hotline at 1-866-720-5721.
“People don’t realize they can get help,” said Duane Fidler, coordinator for the Edgar County Emergency Services & Disaster Agency (ESDA). “I don’t think people are taking advantage of it. It doesn’t need to have been devastating. If somebody got water in their basement, and it damaged their furnace or water heater, they need to report it.”
Patrick Richards with FEMA explained registration starts a process that can make individuals eligible for receiving help based upon what their insurance does not cover.
“Everything is handled individually,” said Richards, adding it is not possible to say exactly what damages FEMA will or won’t cover. “We can’t pay them double benefits.”
He stressed it is vital that people register to become eligible for financial assistance.
“First, we get them registered and then we send an inspector out,” said Richards. “Then we can focus on what kind of benefits are available.”
According to Fidler, anybody living in Edgar or Clark Counties are eligible to apply for the assistance because both counties were declared disaster areas following the floods.
The disaster declaration also means that local governmental bodies can seek federal assistance to recoup some flood related expenses.
“This is good new because it would have taken some of the townships years to recover from those expenses,” said Fidler.
Both Fidler and Richards said the registration period is still open and as of now, no closing deadlines are established, but they would prefer applicants not wait until the last minute.
“They need to do it now,” said Fidler.
Information released by Governor Rod Blagojevich’s office indicates the federal disaster declaration means individuals may be eligible for grants or loans to help with access to temporary housing or flood-related losses. Businesses that sustained losses can seek low interest loans.
“It’s just so important that people register,” said Richards.
Beware of frauds
SPRINGFIELD – Con artists are working Midwestern states attempting to recover from floods
One of the scams involves posing as a Federal Emergency Management Agency official to gain access to personal information or perhaps charge fees for providing the ersatz help. FEMA does not collect fees or charge for any service.
Officials recommend the following tips to reduce the risk of becoming a victim:
• Ask for ID. A FEMA or U.S. Small Business Administration shirt or jacket is not proof of someone’s affiliation with the federal government. The federal employees working disaster relief carry official photo identification which is important as applicants for assistance may receive a visit from more than one inspector.
• Do not give personal information such as a Social Security number or bank account numbers to individuals claiming affiliation with the federal government. FEMA inspectors do not require this information.
• FEMA representatives are not allowed to accept money. If someone claiming to be a federal employee or federal contractor attempts to collect money for their help, refuse to pay and immediately contact the nearest law enforcement agency. The information relayed to the police should include a description of the individual, the vehicle being used and if possible the license plate number.
•FEMA inspectors only verify damage. They will neither hire nor recommend contractors to make the repairs.
Anyone suspecting contractor fraud or false impersonation of an inspector should call the Illinois Attorney General’s office at 800-243-0618, or the FEMA fraud hotline at 1-866-720-5721.
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