CONWAY, SC (WBTW) – FEMA representatives are in Horry County to assist individuals who have sustained a loss from Hurricane Matthew.
FEMA is urging people who have not already registered for assistance to call 800-621-3362 and FEMA field inspectors will be sent to those properties to do a damage assessment within 2-10 days. FEMA officials say you don’t have to wait for an inspector to begin clean-up though. FEMA field inspectors will carry proper credentials so they can be easily identified. Anyone with questions relating to the authenticity of a FEMA representative, can call Horry County Emergency Management for verification at (843) 915-5150.
FEMA has opened a Disaster Recovery Center at the South Strand Recreation Center, 9650 Scipio Lane, Myrtle Beach. It will be open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., and closed on Sundays.
The DRC will be staffed by personnel able to assist Horry County citizens with: answers to questions, referrals to agencies that may be able to provide further assistance, housing assistance and rental information, crisis counseling, disaster related legal services, disaster related unemployment, assistance through the Small Business Administration, status of applications being processed by FEMA, and other valuable services. FEMA also encourages people to document, document and document. The more photos and information you can provide, the better. Also keep a record of your receipts if you have to go out and buy supplies for cleaning or repairs.
Some disaster survivors affected by Hurricane Matthew in South Carolina may receive a letter from FEMA saying they are ineligible for disaster assistance.If that happens, do not be alarmed or discouraged. It may mean that FEMA does not have all the information needed to make a decision regarding an applicant’s disaster assistance.
Several reasons exist for why flood survivors receive ineligibility determination letters and yet may be eligible for assistance. For example, the applicant may still need to return insurance information, provide information to prove occupancy or ownership of the damaged property, fill out all necessary paperwork, or complete and return the U.S. Small Business Administration loan application.
Applicants with insurance should contact their insurance company and ask for a settlement letter detailing exactly what is covered under their claim. They should mail insurance settlement information to FEMA – Individuals & Households Program, National Processing Service Center, P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055.
Hurricane Matthew survivors have up to 12 months from the date they registered with FEMA to submit insurance information for review. FEMA cannot provide money to individuals or households for losses already covered by insurance.
FEMA reminds applicants to return the completed SBA loan application even if they choose to decline the loan. Completing the loan application is a necessary step if applicants are to be considered for some other forms of disaster assistance.
Applicants who wish to appeal a decision may do so in writing within 60 days from the date the ineligibility letter was received.Information above submitted from a press release
