FEMA Urges Displaced Residents to Use its Housing Resources

The Federal Emergency Management Agency may be able to provide temporary housing or rental assistance to insured homeowners displaced by Hurricane Sandy, it reaffirmed recently, and it's urging residents in need to reach out.

With many homeowners waiting for insurance checks to arrive, FEMA realizes that housing assistance may still be needed in many cases.

FEMA may be able to help if any of these situations apply:

• You used all the rent money that your insurance company provided under Alternative Living Expenses coverage and your home is not ready for occupancy.
• Your insurance does not include Alternative Living Expenses.
• Your insurance settlement for Hurricane Sandy has not arrived.

Residents can register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or m.fema.gov. They can also visit a disaster recovery center, or call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585) or 711/VRS.

Homeowners who are already registered with FEMA can request rental assistance if they're experiencing a delay in insurance payment, according to a release. If you were told that your loses appeared to be covered by insurance you're still eligible for housing assistance if your settlement has been delayed for at least 30 days.
 
Those in need of housing assistance can also mail FEMA directly at:

FEMA IHP
National Processing Service Center
P.O. Box 10055
Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055