October 7 Questions
From FEMA Answers
Many answers to these questions can be found at the FEMA Answers page.
The following questions were posed to FEMA on October 7. Please do not edit these questions.
Q: How much assistance has already been given out by FEMA?
Q: How many have been denied assistance and why? What is the appeal process if one has been denied assistance?
Q: How will they determine who is eligible for programs; what are the guidelines of different programs?
Q: How are people who fall into certain categories being helped? (those with disabilities, formerly incarcerated , nursing home residents, homeless who are not covered by HUD, and other special needs)
Q: Will charities, churches, and other nonprofit organizations be reimbursed for services they have provided?
Q: What assistance is there for Rita victims?
Q: How will people uprooted first by Hurricane Katrina and later by Hurricane Rita be helped?
Q: Will families separated get help to travel in order to reunite with their families?
Q: Will people get help to pay for transportation to inspect their properties?
Q: What is the status of any mortgage assistance programs? How can people get help?
Q: How will money get to evacuees?
Q: How do people apply for long-term assistance? (Guidelines, etc.)
Q: How are the funds given out being spent? How is this being tracked to prevent abuse?
Q: What assistance is available for: people who previously resided in public housing, people who were renters, people who are property owner with uninhabitable homes but who plan to return, and people who are property owners with uninhabitable homes but who do not plan to return?
Q: Will long-term assistance be automatic if they have received previous assistance, or will families have to apply for this as well?
Q: Are people who have received assistance from other sources (family members, businesses, etc.), eligible for the government programs?
Q: Will landlords receive notification that hurricane victims will receive the rental assistance for 3 to18 moths?
Q: Can people who lived/ are living at the same address who are not legally married file for housing assistance separately?
Q: What is the eligibility for receiving SBA loans?
Q: Will homeowners who have relocated to other areas be eligible for assistance if they do not wish to move back? What happens to their original house?
Q: Will utility payments be covered for evacuees?
Q: Will FEMA housing assistance be adjusted at any point based on family income? If so, how and when?
Q: What do FEMA operators tell potential applicants who attempt to register by phone?
Q: Do FEMA operators or other personnel tell people that they may be eligible for up to $26,200 in assistance? Do FEMA operators mention other needs assistance?
Q: Is FEMA keeping track of how long it takes people to get through on the phone lines?
Q: Will homeowners who have relocated to other areas be eligible for assistance if they do not wish to move back? What happens to their original house?
Q: Will utility payments be covered for evacuees?
Q: Will charities, churches, and other nonprofit organizations be reimbursed for services they have provided?
Q: Were the $2,000 debit cards/deposits IHP money? Will they be deducted from the $26,200? Will the $2,358 be counted against it?
Q: How many have been denied assistance and why? What is the appeal process if FEMA denies assistance?
Q: Reimbursements -- will entities that are providing rent-free housing be reimbursed?
Q: Is FEMA going to do anything to help families who relocated to high cost areas (i.e. $2,358 isn’t going to cover it)?
Q: To what extent is FEMA is applying the 59(f) rule - informing clearly ineligible applicants directly to the IHP and bypassing the SBA process?
Q: Are applicants for rental assistance required to meet, or have someone else meet, housing inspectors at their original address before receiving assistance, or has that requirement been waived? Has it been waived for all applicants, or only applicants within certain zip codes?
