Two Ways to Acquire Disaster Grants

• Author: Jacob Greene
• Posted: 2024-01-11

Natural or manmade disasters can strike anytime without warning leaving a lot of injured or homeless. Most people end up feeling hopeless, as picking up the pieces and starting all over again is a task so huge, one wouldn't know how to start. Luckily, there are people and various agencies willing to help should a disaster is declared in your area. This article aims to inform the public who to call and what to do if disaster strikes.

FEMA

A disaster relief grant is given out by the U.S. government to assist the residents of a region affected by a natural disaster. While disaster grants serve a variety of purpose, it first looks into the scale od damage caused to the region. One of the many agencies that can provide immediate assistance is the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which currently offers two grants in times of disasters. They are:

Primary Resident Grants

Should there be a presidentially-declared disaster, FEMA is able to offer grants for families who have totally lost their homes. Even those who are renting can be covered. Homeowners who have insured their homes are also in luck, as FEMA can provide coverage that an insurance company won't.

Individual Disaster Grants

Offered to survivors of a disaster, this type of grant will cover clean up fees, essential items, vehicle damage cost, moving and storage fees, child care aid, funeral and burial expenses, medical bills, and even dental bills.

How to Qualify for FEMA Grants

Getting assistance from FEMA can be done by reaching them through phone or online. A representative for the agency will then call an applicant within 10 days, arrange for a home inspection, and set a date where both parties will be able to go through one's belongings and/property. Collected information will then be forwarded to the FEMA office, which they will review to assess whether you are approved or denied. Once approved of a grant, a direct deposit or check should be expected. It doesn't end there. FEMA will guide you along your recovery by giving advice on how to use the money properly.

Disaster Assistance Grants

One of the few things a person needs to think of when getting a grant from the government is his unique needs. Considering people fall in many different categories depending on their situation, one's needs could be entirely different from another. This is where DisasterAssistance.gov. comes in. This agency does not only give out essential items to survivors of disaster -- they can also give you information on what you need to go through first, as well as help you during the process of application.

Disaster Assistance can help you find other local disaster relief groups, find you a place, offer food assistance, and give you instructions on changing your social security or home address. All these is possible as DisasterAssistance.gov is connected to huge network of disaster relief operations within the U.S.

Requirements for Disaster Grant Application

Whether you choose to apply online or over the phone, your requirements should be ready. These are pieces of information that prove your identity and for the agency to be aware of the property you own or your damaged belongings. What's good is that, both Disaster Assistance and FEMA require similar information, so there's less hassle on your end.

Make sure the following are on-hand:

Address and Directions

Not only do you have to provide the address of your damaged property -- you have to include directions as well. This will ensure the inspector will get to your place easily and faster.

List of Lost or Damaged Items

Before placing the call or going online to apply, make sure you have jot down what items are lost or damaged. You should also provide at least an estimate of how much a specific item is to get your replacements faster.

Phone Number

Make sure the phone number you give will reach you directly. This will ensure you are always up to date in case the agency may have to verify information or if there are any changes.

Insurance

For grantees that have insurance, the agency will require you to submit a copy of your policy number or your card, as well as the company. As most insurance policies go, not everything will have coverage. The belongings that are not included in your policy can be reimbursed by the agency. On the other hand, the agency having a copy will ensure that you don't get double reimbursed.

Social Security Number

This is the one information that's needed to verify your identity. If you don't have the card with you, make sure to retrieve and memorize your SSN, along with your date of birth and of course, your full name.

It goes without saying that you as a survivor has gone through a lot. But it's comforting to know that there are a group of people willing to help -- agencies such as FEMA and DisasterAssistance.gov. It's alright to lament over lost belongings and loved ones, and while not everything can be replaced, at the very least, these agencies will help you get back on your feet.