FEMA is here to help and may save your day in the early days but be careful for your long term recovery.

You recently registered with FEMA for assistance with your disaster losses

You were told that you had to apply for a SBA Loan to be eligible for possible grants from FEMA. They may have mentioned Vehicle Grants, Home Repair Grants or any number of grants that only FEMA offered but you had to apply for a SBA Loan first.

By Writers Pool published 4-19-2018 updated 3-21-2019
| | | |

Follow Elevation Standards from HUD not from FEMA or your local zoning unless they exceed HUD standards

Its not to often you will read, Follow HUD standards. Most of us that have been in a disaster know HUD standards are low quality and economical grade. But when it comes to flood elevation requirements they are often the best numbers to use.

By Supervisor published 4-29-2018 updated 3-21-2019
| | | |

Manufactured Home Owners MHU should avoid the FEMA IHP Home Repairs Grant at all costs

FEMA IHP Grants for Home Repairs on MHU may sound like a good idea at first but when you apply for your HUD CDBG-DR Grant you are going to find the FEMA IHP Grant will count against you and amount to nothing in return toward your rebuilding.

By Writers Pool published 5-30-2018 updated 12-15-2018
| | | |

Not all Federal Grant Dollars that are classified a Duplication of Benefits counts against you.

If you have had any experience with a natural disaster you know the term "Duplication of Benefits". But do you know they are not always the same when it comes time to tally up the grant money and assign it to your recovery project?

By Supervisor published 5-31-2018 updated 12-15-2018
| | | |

Just tell FEMA No Thanks when they refer you to the SBA Disaster Loan Program. 80 Percent AMI or lower? Say NO

After a Disaster you must identify what your AMI is before you file with FEMA. This was learned from experience and from policies in place by states with declared disaster.

By Contributor published 8-9-2018 updated 8-13-2018
| | | |

What to expect when you register with FEMA after your disaster from a homeowners point of view.

FEMA has some great media information, but like all glossy handouts, its missing the actual end user experiences and feedback. We never find customer complaints and it's always missing information they just seem to not share with disaster victims.

By Murray Wennerlund published 9-20-2018 updated 9-7-2020
| | | |

All areas within the disaster state are offered assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program

After Hurricane Gustav many had forgot about the HMGP offered by FEMA. By the time Isaac cleanup was over the window to apply for these disasters for elevation and acquisitions were over. Dont miss out on your opportunity to use grants to mitigate damage

By Murray Wennerlund published 10-5-2018 updated 9-20-2019
| | | |

FEMA describes the Waiver of Duplication of Benefits under the Disaster Recovery Reform Act

In 2019 the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act was amended adding Section 312b. Each executive branch agency affected by Section 312b published their individual interpretation, guidance and implementation plans.

By Murray Wennerlund published 8-4-2022 updated 8-12-2022
| | | |

Limited rental assistance to no more than 24 months to a household, now is 3 yrs. for TX, LA, PR, Virgin Isl

FEMA Limits rental assistance to no more than 24 months to a household. Continuums of Care in Texas, Louisiana, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Florida due to damages and related flooding sustained by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria.

By Contributor published 7-10-2018 updated 1-2-2020
| | | |

What does FEMA Federal Cost Share cover and does my state have to agree to pay the cost share?

IHP Other Needs Assistance ONA and Transitional Sheltering Assistance TSA are subject to a cost share between FEMA and the state, territorial, or tribal STT government.

By Murray Wennerlund published 9-29-2022 updated 9-29-2022
| | |