Although the deadlines for applying for FEMA assistance for homeowners and renters was March 7, FEMA and Small Business Administration representatives remain in Washington state to help people recover from the declared disaster of Nov. 5–Dec. 2 and will stay as long as needed.
In the meantime, FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) said in a press release, stay in touch.
Applicants can still log onto disasterassistance.gov, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, or use the FEMA mobile app if they have questions regarding the status of their application, need to change personal information or wish create an account online.
Applicants also are directed to notify FEMA if additional damage is discovered since their home inspections, as well as to update changes in mailing or email address or phone number and the current status of insurance settlements.
Residents in Clallam, Skagit and Whatcom counties, the Lummi Nation, Nooksack Indian Tribe, Quileute Tribe and all tribes in the designated areas who received initial rental assistance from FEMA may be eligible for continued temporary rental assistance.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply, survivors must meet these conditions: They were awarded initial rental assistance, which covers two months, and used it as intended: they are unable to return to their pre-disaster residence because it is uninhabitable, cannot be accessed or is not available due to the disaster; they cannot pay for housing without assistance; they are not receiving temporary housing help from any other source; they are developing a longer-term or permanent housing plan or can demonstrate progress toward one.
Survivors applying for continued assistance must complete an Application for Continued Temporary Housing Assistance. To request this form, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.
Documents needed with the completed application provide pre- and post-disaster income for household members 18 and older; proof of pre-disaster housing costs (copy of lease and utility bills, renter’s insurance, mortgage statements, real estate taxes, home insurance, etc.); proof of post-disaster housing costs (copy of current lease or rental agreement signed by the applicant and the landlord); proof of exhaustion of previous award (rent receipts, canceled checks, money orders, etc).
The application form and supporting documents can be returned to FEMA by being uploaded to the applicant’s disaster account at disasterassistance.gov; mailed to FEMA, PO Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055; or faxed to 800-827-8112.
Property owners can protect themselves from financial losses by having a flood insurance policy through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Flood insurance coverage is available regardless of federal disaster declarations. Insurance for contents is also available to renters. There is a 30-day waiting period before new policies go into effect.
People living in a flood-prone area, specifically a Special Flood Hazard Area or floodway, who are receiving assistance from FEMA for a flood-damaged structure or its contents, must have and maintain flood insurance for the life of the structure to receive most types of future federal disaster assistance.
Prepaid Group Flood Insurance coverage is available for those who suffered property damage from the Nov. 5–Dec. 2 declared disaster; are approved for FEMA disaster assistance; and were denied loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.
In Washington, 296 communities participate in the NFIP, and 32 communities do not. Residents can purchase a flood insurance policy if their community participates in the NFIP, no matter their flood risk.
To date, FEMA has approved more than $5.3 million in grants for individuals and households.
FEMA may contact applicants by phone. Applicants for FEMA assistance will receive a letter from FEMA by mail or email that will include the amount of assistance FEMA may provide to you and information on the appropriate use of disaster assistance funds. It may also request additional information.
Appeals can be presented in writing within 60 days of receiving the letter.
