FEMA changes aim to streamline process for storm victims

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Disaster recovery is a long and difficult process, but new help is on the way for storm victims.

For the first time in years, the federal government is cutting red tape to help storm victims recover faster.

FEMA says it's going to make a big difference. These are the most significant changes to the program in decades. For storm victims, the changes can't come fast enough.

Flooding from Hurricane Ian destroyed Patricia Bell's home. She says that's when her nightmare began. She had to get help from insurance and FEMA. The process is confusing, frustrating and slow.

"It has been a fight the entire way," said Bell.

For the first time in 20 years, FEMA is making big changes to its individual assistance program. The agency says the goal is to reach more people, and get them help faster.

After a hurricane, we often hear how insurance doesn't cover the true cost to rebuild. Currently, if you get $42,500 from you insurer, you get nothing from FEMA. But the new rules change that.

If you had more than $42,000 worth of damage, and insurance doesn't cover it all, FEMA will now help you make up the difference.

Before, if you wanted FEMA to help you recover personal property losses, you had to apply for an SBA loan. Now, that confusing requirement is gone.

"We really appreciate the fact that FEMA has gone out there and done this," said Kevin Guthrie, the director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management.

Guthrie says FEMA is on the right track. He's pushing for one more big change.

"We'd love to see some movement made there so that we could get people into housing faster, including some permanent construction," he said.

Mark Friedlander from the Insurance Information Institute has a warning for Florida homeowners.

"It's not insurance," he said. "The average payout from a FEMA emergency grant is less than 10K per family, so don't count on getting the max amount if you are eligible and apply for a FEMA grant."

The max you can ever get from FEMA is about $42,500.

Industry experts say the changes, while positive, are not a replacement for insurance