4K have been denied flood relief in Eastern Kentucky. Here’s why and how to appeal
Homeowners and renters who saw their property washed away or damaged by the devastating floods that swept through Eastern Kentucky in July now have less than a week left to apply for assistance.
Flood survivors in Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Knott, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Owsley, Perry, Pike and Whitley counties have until 11:59 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28 to request relief from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The agency can help with moving and storage expenses, rent payments, home heating repairs and other out-of-pocket costs. Here’s how to get FEMA assistance in Kentucky, including how to apply for disaster relief, what documents you’ll need and other key information.
What kind of assistance has FEMA been offering flood victims?
As of Monday afternoon, FEMA spokesperson Jim Homstad told the Herald-Leader in an email the agency had received 15,800 applications from disaster survivors in designated Eastern Kentucky counties.
To date, 8,200 applications have been deemed eligible for assistance through FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program.
The spokesperson also said 3,900 applications are currently ineligible for relief. However, those outcomes could change if the agency receives missing, additional documentation, Homstad said.
Asked for the average award amount, Homstad put that number at $9,500 for housing assistance and $2,500 for other needs assistance.
“One of the main reasons for ineligibility currently is survivors not returning FEMA’s repeated outreach efforts to schedule a home inspection,” Homstad wrote to the Herald-Leader. “This is where you could help. FEMA has called, texted and even sent teams door to door to try to contact survivors.
“It is vital survivors stay in contact with FEMA,” he continued. “If survivors have not recently heard from FEMA, we may be trying to reach them. Survivors still have until Oct. 28 to get their recovery started by visiting their nearest disaster recovery center or calling 800-621-3362.
According to the latest available figures from FEMA, released by the agency Friday, more than $133 million federal dollars have been approved for Kentucky’s flood recovery. Of that amount, some $79 million has gone toward Individual Assistance, whether help with housing or other needs.
How to apply for FEMA assistance in Kentucky
According to FEMA, survivors can apply in the following ways:
Visit a disaster recovery center. Go online to fema.gov/drc to find an open recovery center near you.
Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use a relay service, such as a video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service.
Apply online by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov
Use the FEMA mobile app to apply through your smartphone more easily. Survivors can also open the app and select “Talk to FEMA in person.”
What information do you need to apply for FEMA relief?
Your current phone number
Your address at the time of the disaster and your current address
Your social security number
A general rundown of what needs to be fixed or replaced at your home
Your banking information if you choose direct deposit, which is recommended to speed up the payment process
If you have insurance, call your insurer first and give FEMA your policy number or the agent and/or company’s name
How to appeal if you’ve been told you aren’t eligible for assistance
The first step is to carefully read the determination letter you received from FEMA and understand why the agency deemed you ineligible for assistance. If you need help understanding your letter, you can visit a disaster recovery center or call the FEMA Helpline.
According to FEMA itself, the most common reasons residents in Eastern Kentucky are being denied relief include:
Missed inspection or no response to FEMA attempts to make contact. If FEMA cannot make contact with you or you do not meet with the inspector for your scheduled appointment, FEMA may find you ineligible. If a determination letter states FEMA was unable to reach you, get in touch with FEMA as soon as possible.
FEMA ruled your home safe to occupy. The agency determined you are not eligible for housing assistance because the damage caused by the disaster did not make your home unsafe to live in. If you disagree with FEMA’s determination, collect verifiable estimates, contracts, receipts, proof of expenses for home repair, personal property replacement, moving and storage costs and submit them as supporting documents with your appeal.
Are missing documents holding up your flood relief from FEMA? Try these alternatives
Applicants have the right to appeal the determination within 60 days of the date on the letter.
When filing an appeal be sure to include:
The applicant’s name, phone number and current address
The registration number and the FEMA disaster declaration number, which is DR-4663. This information is found on every page of the letter, according to FEMA.
The address of where you lived prior to the disaster
An explanation of why you disagree with the decision
Any requested information and supporting documentation
Remember to sign and date the letter
Ways to submit your appeal, include:
Online at disasterassistance.gov
By mailing your appeal letter and supporting documents to The Individuals & Households Program National Processing Service Center, P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055
By faxing your appeal letter and supporting documents to 800-827-8112
In person, by visiting an open disaster recovery center
How can I get help with my appeal letter if I need it?
The American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division can help you with writing your appeal letter or assist with other free legal services. The hotline is available to connect survivors who cannot afford an attorney to free legal services in designated counties.
Survivors can call 844-478-0099 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If you call outside of business hours, leave a message and it will be returned the next business day.
The Disaster Legal Services program works with state and local partners to provide free legal help for low-income disaster survivors. This service is a partnership between the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, FEMA and many other legal groups in Kentucky.
FEMA will review your appeal and any documentation you have provided and it will issue a new determination within 90 days. If more information is needed, they agency will contact you.
Once the appeal has been reviewed – including verification calls to contractors or others – a determination will be made about your appeal.
If someone else files the appeal for you, you must also submit a signed statement giving that person authority to represent you, according to FEMA.
Note: The previous headline on this story incorrectly stated the number of applicants denied. The correct number is exactly 3,900.
Do you have a question about recovery in Kentucky for our service journalism team? We’d like to hear from you. Fill out our Know Your Kentucky form or email ask@herald-leader.com.
