FEMA Housing Inspectors Visiting Sevier County After Damage From Wildfires

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Dec. 22 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency issued the following news release:

FEMA housing inspectors are in Sevier County, Tenn., to speak with survivors whose primary homes were affected by wildfires from November 28 to December 9, 2016.

Inspections are free, but only primary homes of disaster survivors who have already registered with FEMA in Sevier County will receive an inspection. Survivors are encouraged to register with FEMA and provide their current contact information before meeting with the FEMA housing inspectors.

Applicants can meet the inspectors at a convenient location, at the damaged residence or provide information by telephone. When they arrive for the meeting, the FEMA inspectors will display official contractor photo identification. If the photo ID is not visible, it is important for survivors to ask to see it. This helps prevent fraud.

FEMA's contracted housing inspectors verify disaster damage; they do not need to document all damage. They ask about damage to the structure and building systems and major appliances, and they enter the information electronically into FEMA computers. Inspectors do not determine an applicant's eligibility for assistance.

An inspection generally requires 15-30 minutes to complete the assessment. To speed the process, applicants should:

* Keep their appointment or notify the inspector if a postponement is necessary.

* Tell the inspector about other property losses or disaster-related needs such as transportation, medical or dental care, tools and equipment required by an employer (if not self-employed) and educational materials, so inspectors can relay the information to FEMA.

* If possible, provide photos that can support the damage claims, at the time of inspection.

What to expect from inspectors:

* They have each applicant's nine-digit registration number and will never ask for it.

* They never require banking or other personal information.

* They do not hire or endorse specific contractors to repair homes or recommend repairs.

Homeowners are asked to show proof of ownership such as a tax bill, deed, mortgage payment receipt or insurance policy with the applicant's name, and the damaged property's address on the documentation. Renters must show proof of occupancy, a lease, rent payment receipt, utility bill or another document confirming the location was their primary residence at the time of the disaster. Both homeowners and renters must provide a valid driver's license or other photo identification.

Disaster survivors with communication-related disabilities--those who are deaf or hard of hearing, blind or have vision loss and those with speech difficulties--may request reasonable accommodations to aid in communication. For instance, survivors may request an American Sign Language interpreter. Accommodations can be requested by contacting (770) 241-5525 or (800) 621-3362.

Applying for disaster assistance is a two-step process that ensures consideration for all FEMA programs and disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). First, register with FEMA. Second, complete and return the SBA loan application, if one is offered. There is no charge to apply for the loan and if approved, no obligation to accept it. However, the SBA loan application is used to determine eligibility for additional FEMA grants. The SBA offers low-interest disaster loans to businesses, homeowners, renters and private nonprofit organizations.

Disaster survivors may register with FEMA the following ways:

* Online at DisasterAssistance.gov (also in Spanish).

* Download the FEMA mobile app (also in Spanish).

* Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (FEMA). Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585. Toll-free numbers are open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

* Help is available in most languages and information on the registration process is available in ASL at http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/videos/111546.

For updates on Tennessee's wildfire response and recovery, follow @FEMARegion4 on Twitter and visit www.tnema.org/ and fema.gov/disaster/4293.

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