BATON ROUGE, LA – September 3, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — Housing inspectors from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are assisting eligible Hurricane Isaac survivors get connected with potential assistance by visiting neighborhoods and checking for damage.
More than 400 inspections have taken place in the days following the storm, and more are scheduled as survivors report their uninsured or underinsured losses to FEMA.
“The housing inspections are an essential part of the recovery process for survivors who need to make their homes livable again or have serious personal property loss,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Mike Hall. “Homeowners and renters can help us help them by first registering and then making sure they coordinate with the inspectors for the visits.”
Survivors can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via smartphone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. If you use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.
The process begins when applicants living in parishes designated for disaster assistance register and report uninsured or underinsured damage to their homes, vehicles or other personal property. An inspector will then contact the applicant and schedule an appointment to visit the home.
To speed the inspection process, applicants should:
- Ensure their home or mailbox number is clearly visible from the road.
- Keep their appointment or notify the inspector if a postponement is necessary.
- Authorize another adult to act as their agent and be present on their behalf during the inspection if they have evacuated and cannot return for the inspection.
- Be reachable, informing neighbors where they can be contacted if they are not staying in the home.
- Tell the inspector about other property losses or disaster-related needs such as transportation, medical or dental care, tools needed for a trade and educational materials so inspectors can relay the information to FEMA.
Inspectors try a minimum of three times to contact the applicant, calling at different times on different days. If inspectors cannot reach an applicant, they will post a letter at the applicant’s dwelling with a phone number the applicant should call to schedule an appointment and/or have the inspection re-issued.
When FEMA inspectors arrive at a home, they will display official photo identification. If the photo identification is not displayed, it is important to ask to see it. This helps prevent scam artists from taking advantage of the situation.
The damage inspection generally lasts 20-45 minutes. As part of the inspection process, homeowners are asked to show proof of ownership, a tax bill, a deed, mortgage payment receipt or insurance policy with the property’s address. 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 also have a valid driver’s license or other photo identification.
Inspectors document damage but do not determine the applicant’s eligibility. They check for damage to the structure and building systems, to major appliances and septic systems and wells, and enter information into an electronic device that sends the information to FEMA. This speeds up the process of providing assistance.
A U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loss verifier may also schedule an appointment with applicants who have completed an SBA loan application. Like FEMA inspectors, SBA loss verifiers and insurance adjusters are required to carry identification. Residents should ask to see a photo ID if any inspector comes to their home.
Residents should not be concerned if an inspector is seen in their neighborhood but does not visit every home. They are following schedules and can only visit houses on that day’s list.
For more information on Louisiana disaster recovery, click www.fema.gov/disaster/4080 or www.gohsep.la.gov. You can follow FEMA on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA. Also visit our blog at www.fema.gov/blog.
