TEN KEY FACTS TO KNOW ABOUT FEDERAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE
[https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/ten-key-facts-know-about-federal-disaster-assistance]


Release Date: 
Sep 15, 2023 

Federal assistance can help Vermonters recover from the July 7-17
severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides.

KNOW THE FACTS

Here are ten facts about the help that may be available to you:

	* You won’t be taking money away from someone else by applying.
FEMA will distribute funds to every eligible applicant regardless of
how many people apply.
	* FEMA assistance is available to homeowners and renters, including
owners and renters of mobile homes.
	* Eligible homeowners and renters will receive FEMA assistance as
grants that do not have to be repaid. 
	* You can apply for FEMA assistance before your insurance claim
processes. However, once you receive a settlement, make sure to report
it to FEMA. FEMA can’t duplicate benefits from other sources, so we
need to see what your insurance covers before we can process your
application.
	* FEMA assistance is nontaxable, and will not affect eligibility for
Social Security, Medicaid or other federal or state benefits. 

	*
You can ask questions and get in-person help applying for assistance
at a Disaster Recovery Center. Four centers are currently open: 

	* WASHINGTON COUNTY: Waterbury Armory, 294 Armory Drive, Waterbury,
VT 05676
	* WASHINGTON COUNTY: Barre Auditorium, 16 Auditorium Hill, Barre, VT
05641
	* ORLEANS COUNTY: Barton Memorial Building, 17 Village Square,
Barton, VT 05822
	* WINDHAM COUNTY: Wardsboro Town Hall, 99 Main St., Wardsboro, VT
05355

For the latest locations and hours, visit fema.gov/drc
[http://www.fema.gov/drc].
	* If your insurance is delayed by 30 days or more and you need money
to relocate immediately, FEMA may be able to help. Call the FEMA
Helpline at 800-621-3362 – if you use a relay service such as video
relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA
your number for that service when you call. Unlike normal FEMA grants,
this type of assistance must be repaid once you get your insurance.
	* If your car was damaged by the disaster, you may be eligible for
money to repair or replace it. Apply with FEMA first, then, if
referred, submit a U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Loan
application to determine eligibility. 
	* If FEMA refers you to the Small Business Administration, you should
apply. SBA’s long-term, low-interest disaster loans are the largest
source of federal recovery funds – and applying allows FEMA to
evaluate you for more types of aid. SBA may be able to increase your
loan amount by up to 20 percent of your damage so you can make
improvements to make your home safer. To learn more, visit
SBA.gov/disaster
[https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance].
	* Calling 211 or applying for assistance through another organization
or agency does not automatically register you with FEMA. To apply for
FEMA assistance, visit DisasterAssistance.gov
[http://www.disasterassistance.gov], download the FEMA App
[https://www.fema.gov/about/news-multimedia/mobile-products] or call
the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.