FEMA Information- Hurricane Ida

On September 5, 2021, President Joseph R. Biden Jr. granted a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of New York triggering the release of Federal funds to help people and communities recover from the Remnants of Hurricane Ida that occurred September 1-3, 2021.  Informational links are below. 

Information about FEMA disaster operations in New York by clicking this link: 4615 | FEMA.gov 

Informational video that explains the declation process: How a Disaster Gets Declared | FEMA.gov 

Public Assistance Process: Assistance for Governments and Private Non-Profits After a Disaster | FEMA.gov

Mitigation Grants Process: Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grants | FEMA.gov,

Registration assistance in American Sign Language: FEMA Accessible: Important Registration Assistance Information for People with Disabilities - YouTube.

Translated brochures: "Help After a Disaster" Brochures | FEMA.gov 

Frequently Asked Questions with relation to Hurricane Ida:

  1. If someone’s boiler is out and they lost furniture, heating systems, parts of their basement – what grants are available?
    1. Individuals and Households Program (IHP) assistance provides financial assistance and direct services to eligible individuals and households who have uninsured or underinsured necessary expenses and serious needs. IHP assistance is not a substitute for insurance and cannot compensate for all losses caused by a disaster; it is intended to meet basic needs and supplement disaster recovery efforts.
      1. There are two categories of IHP assistance: Housing Assistance and Other Needs Assistance (ONA).
    2. FEMA may provide financial assistance to repair an owner-occupied primary residence, utilities, and residential infrastructure, including private access routes damaged as a result of a Presidentially-declared disaster up to the financial Housing Assistance maximum award.
    3. Home Repair Assistance is intended to make the damaged home safe, sanitary, or functional. It is not intended to return the home to its pre[1]disaster condition.
    4. FEMA may provide financial assistance for the repair of real property components, including, but not limited to: structural components of a home (e.g., foundation, exterior walls, roof), windows, doors, floors, walls, ceilings, and cabinetry, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system. (HVAC).
    5. For wells, furnaces, and septic systems, FEMA may provide assistance or reimbursement for the cost of a licensed technician’s professional assessment associated with the repair or replacement of those components. Additionally, when verifiable receipts or estimates are submitted on appeal, FEMA may pay up to the actual cost of the receipt or estimate for wells, furnaces, and septic systems.
    6. The Individual Assistance Program home repair assistance for flood-damaged real property in basements is limited to damaged items that results in living conditions affecting the safety, sanitation, and functionality of the home.  
    7. Disaster-caused damage in a basement affecting the safety, sanitation, and functionality of the home may include:
      1.  Damage to the structural components (e.g., foundation) of the home of Damage to critical utilities that support the overall function of the home (e.g., furnace, water heater)
      2. Damage to the structure’s interior (e.g., doors, floor covering); limited to rooms required for the occupancy of the dwelling (e.g., occupied bedrooms, a bathroom required for the occupied bedroom, a sole kitchen or living room); and no other room in another part of the dwelling meets that need
      3.  Damage presenting a hazard (e.g., wet or moldy drywall, carpet, or cabinets) in non-essential living areas (for removal only)
    8. Home Repair Assistance award amounts are based on repair or replacement of components that are of average quality, size, or capacity.
  2. Maximum amount people can receive from FEMA (grants)
    1. The amount of financial assistance an individual or household may receive under IHP is limited. Financial Housing Assistance and Other Needs Assistance (ONA) have independent and equal financial maximums.
    2. FEMA adjusts these maximum awards each fiscal year based on the Department of Labor Consumer Price Index.
    3. For DR-4615-NY the financial maximum for Housing Assistance is $36,000 and for Other Needs Assistance (ONA) is $36, 000.
    4. Temporary Housing Assistance, including Lodging Expense Reimbursement, Rental Assistance, and Continued Temporary Housing Assistance are not counted toward the financial Housing Assistance maximum award.
    5. Disaster-caused losses to accessibility-related real and personal property for qualified applicants with a disability or other access and functional need are not subject to a financial assistance maximum.
    6. Eligible individuals or households receiving IHP assistance may not necessarily be awarded the maximum amount of financial assistance for their disaster-caused losses.
    7. We encourage individuals and households affected by the Remnants of Hurricane Ida to apply.
  3. Are there income limits –is this offered to people who are only poor or anyone?
    1. Sections 308 and 309 of the Stafford Act, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 197331 have nondiscrimination provisions applicable to FEMA programs and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, color, religion, [national origin], sex, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status.
  4. Will FEMA help people whose cars were destroyed?
    1. The ONA provision of the IHP, provides financial assistance for disaster-related necessary expenses and serious needs that are not covered by insurance or provided by any other source.
    2. FEMA, in coordination with the STT government pre-determines ONA-eligible items and amounts to be awarded.
    3. FEMA collaborates with the SBA in determining applicant eligibility for some types of ONA. The Small Business Act authorizes the SBA to provide low-interest disaster loans to applicants who have sustained damage in a disaster.
    4. FEMA refers the applicant’s information to SBA if the applicant’s income meets SBA minimum guidelines.
    5. Transportation Assistance is an SBA Dependent category of assistance.
    6. Specific conditions of eligibly must be met by the survivor prior to being considered for assistance. The survivor must first contact their insurance company and also apply to the SBA for a loan. SBA may refer the survivor back to FEMA for further consideration.  

For further questions or concerns please contact villageclerk@pleasantville-ny.gov