Insurance providers should be the first source of disaster relief for people whose damaged property was insured. But the next major source for assistance is FEMA's Individuals and Household Program (IHP).

FEMA has opened two Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) in South Mississippi - one in Ocean Springs, 3164 Bienville Blvd. (old American Thrift), and one in Pascagoula. More DRCs will be opening soon in other locations. The centers will be open seven days a week, from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m., until further notice.

People are urged to first register for assistance by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Follow-up questions or checking on the status of a claim may be conducted at one of the centers.

IHP, which may include cash grants of up to $26,200 per individual or household, provides services to people in the disaster area when losses are not covered by insurance, and property has been damaged or destroyed. You must meet specific eligibility conditions to qualify for help.

Limitations

IHP will not cover all of your losses from damage to your property (home, personal property, household goods) that resulted from the disaster. IHP is not intended to restore your damaged property to its condition before the disaster. In some cases, IHP may only provide enough money, up to the program limits, for you to return an item to service. IHP does not cover business-related losses that resulted from the disaster. By law, IHP cannot provide money to you for losses that are covered by your insurance.

Applying for IHP

IHP is for use only by people in designated federal disaster areas. To begin the application assistance process, call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing or speech impaired or register online at http://www.fema.gov. The best time to call is in the evening after 6 p.m. or on the weekends, because call volumes tend to be lighter. If you need more information after you've registered by phone make an optional visit to a Disaster Recovery Center, where you will find local, state, federal and voluntary agencies to assist you.

Have the following information ready to give to the person who takes your call:

1. your Social Security number;
2. a description of your losses;
3. insurance information, if any;
4. directions to your damaged property; and
5. a telephone number where you can be contacted.

The Process

After you've registered, an inspector will call to schedule an appointment within a few days. The inspection is free. Inspectors are contractors, not FEMA employees; however, they'll have a FEMA ID.

When the inspector visits, you must be present. Have the following available:

1. Proof of ownership (deed, tax records, mortgage payment book or a copy of your dwelling's insurance policy for the address, showing you as the owner).
2. Proof of occupancy (your driver's license address, any first-class government mail sent to you within the last three months at the address or recent utility bills in your name at that address).

The inspector will ask you to sign a form authorizing FEMA to verify that the information you have given is correct. Inspectors file your report but do not determine your eligibility. Within about 10 days of the visit, you'll receive a letter from IHP informing you of the decision on your request for help. If you are eligible for help, the letter - explaining what the money can be used to pay for-will be followed by a U.S. Treasury/State check or there will be a transfer of cash to your bank account.

If you are not eligible, the letter will give a reason and you'll be informed of your appeal rights. If you are referred to the Small Business Administration for help, you will receive an application.

Money

If you're sent a check, you can use the money for housing needs to pay for:

1. structural parts of your home, such as foundation, outside walls and roof;
2. windows, doors, floors, walls, ceilings and cabinetry;
3. septic or sewage system;
4. well or other water system;
5. heating, ventilating and air conditioning system;
6. utilities, such as electrical, plumbing and gas systems;
7. entrance and exit ways from your home, including privately owned access roads; and
8. blocking, leveling and anchoring of a mobile home and reconnecting or resetting its sewer, water, electrical and fuel lines and tanks.

You may use the money provided for other than housing needs to pay for or repair:

disaster-related medical and dental costs; disaster-related funeral and burial costs; clothing, household items, room furnishings, appliances, tools, specialized or protective clothing and equipment required for your job, necessary educational materials - computers, school books and supplies; fuels for the primary heat source; clean-up items; disaster-damaged vehicle; moving and storage expenses related to the disaster; and other necessary expenses or serious needs as determined by FEMA.

Eligibility

To receive money or help for housing needs, all of the following must be true: Losses must be in a disaster area declared by the president. Damage must not be covered by your insurance benefits. You, or someone who lives with you, must be a citizen of the United States, a non-citizen national or a qualified alien. The home must be where you usually live or where you were living at the time of the disaster. Your home also should be unliveable, unable to get to or requiring major repairs. You have necessary expenses or serious needs because of the disaster. You have accepted assistance from all other sources for which you are eligible, such as insurance proceeds or SBA loans.

You may not be eligible for money or help from IHP if: You have other, adequate rent-free housing that you can use. Your home that was damaged is your secondary or vacation residence. Your expenses resulted only from leaving your home as a precaution. You have refused assistance from your insurance provider. Your only losses are business losses or items not covered by this program. The damaged home where you live is located in a designated flood hazard area, and your community is not participating in the National Flood Insurance Program.

In this case, the flood damage to your home would not be covered, but you may qualify for rental assistance or items not covered by flood insurance, such as water wells, septic systems, medical, dental or funeral expenses.

Source: www.fema.gov