FEMA centers help Southern Indiana flood victims navigate assistance

Evening News and The Tribune, The (Jeffersonville, IN)

May 18--Corydon -- If you were affected by the February floods and are intimidated by navigating the federal assistance application process, Disaster Recovery Centers are in the area and staffed with workers ready to help.

One unit is located at 245 Atwood St. in Corydon and will be open until 7 p.m. Saturday. Another is at Utica Town Hall, 107. N. Fourth St., Utica, and will be open until it's no longer needed. The center is operated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Additionally, workers are going door-to-door to help those in affected areas.

According to public information officer for the agency, Jann Tracey, registering with FEMA is the first step to getting financial assistance.

"What they'll find at the Disaster Recovery Center is the FEMA people will answer questions regarding registration and guide people through that process," Tracey said. "They'll get their name in the system and a [case] number. That number follows them through all other programs and opens the door to other programs available."

The agency can provide monies to help replace personal property lost (such as a vehicle, clothing or furniture) for renters and homeowners and can help foot the bill of property damage for homeowners alone. Even if you've already repaired the damage, you may be reimbursed as long as you have receipts and photographs proving the damage. The program helps those who do not have flood insurance or were under-insured.

Workers at the center will also help individuals apply for a personal loan through the U.S. Small Business Association (a misnomer, Tracey said, as the agency doesn't help just small businesses). Survivors do not have to accept a loan if they qualify, but they do have to apply in order to be eligible for FEMA assistance. Loans have an interest rate of 1.8 percent, Tracey said.

So far $1.1 million in assistance has been approved for survivors in nine counties in Indiana, and more than 900 household have registered. The average payout is $3,500, according to Tracey, and those who qualify getting reimbursed one to two weeks after being approved.

Tracey warned that there are those who try to take advantage of the situation. Scammers can come to doors and attempt to collect personal information under the guise of working for FEMA. She said any FEMA employee will have an official badge and, if you are unsure, you can always call the agency.

"It's complicated but it's worth the time and the effort to try and navigate the system and the easiest place to do that is at these Disaster Recovery Center locations," she said. "You can do it online or on the phone but talking to someone one on one, they can answer your questions as you go."

Erin Walden is the education reporter at the News and Tribune. Contact her via email at [email protected] or by phone at 812-206-2152. Follow her on Twitter: @ErinWithAnEr.

___

Visit The Evening News and The Tribune (Jeffersonville, Ind.) at newsandtribune.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.