FEMA has denied at least 690 applicants from Ky. flood disaster. Here’s how to appeal
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Facing a wave of criticism from Kentucky’s elected leaders that it was denying too many flood relief claims in the eastern part of the state, the Federal Emergency Management Agency is now encouraging denied applicants to contact the agency and ask why.
“Did you get help from another source, like insurance? Is your application not finished? Did you miss a FEMA call or inspection? These are common reasons you could get turned down for FEMA assistance, but it may not be the final answer,” the agency said in a news release Tuesday.
Last month’s catastrophic flooding in Eastern Kentucky killed at least 38 people, destroyed multiple schools, wiped out entire water systems and damaged thousands of homes. FEMA has faced mounting criticism from Republicans and Democrats alike, including Gov. Andy Beshear and State Sen. Brandon Smith, R-Hazard, who slammed the agency’s “inaction, denials and an indication of surprisingly inadequate financial assistance.”
As part of its response to that criticism, FEMA said it’s called every person who had their claim denied, as well as launched a text line and OK’d workers on the ground to authorize claims, Beshear said.
Here’s the latest data on claims as of Aug. 13, as well as information on appeals, courtesy of FEMA spokesperson Jim Homstad.
The deadline for applicants to appeal is 60 days from the date they received their eligibility notification letter from the agency.
How many relief applications for the flooding in Eastern Kentucky has FEMA processed?
As of Aug. 13, FEMA had received 8,990 total registrations for relief from Kentuckians related to the July 28 flooding and approved at least 4,002 of those, Homstad wrote in their emailed responses to the Herald-Leader.
That said, it’s worth noting these numbers will likely change daily.
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Asked how many relief applications the agency had denied, the FEMA spokesperson wrote that as of Aug. 12, 690 applications had been denied. Homstad said reason for denial including issues with verifying the applicant’s identity or homeowner status, missing documents, failing to meet with a FEMA inspector or other problems.
Homstad described the relief FEMA can provide disaster victims as “one piece of the puzzle” in conjunction with other agencies and organizations assisting in recovery efforts.
“It is important to remember that any assistance provided by FEMA is supplemental, and it’s focused on short-term, disaster-caused needs,” Homstad wrote.
“FEMA grants are designed to make a damaged home safe, sanitary and functional, however survivors are encouraged to appeal if additional needs are unmet. I do want to stress that by law, FEMA cannot provide funding to individuals or households for losses covered by insurance or any other source. Homeowner or rental insurance is the primary go-to defense during a disaster. Then if a survivor is uninsured or underinsured, FEMA assistance may be available,” the spokesperson continued.
It’s important for insured survivors to keep in contact with FEMA and submit a copy of their insurance settlement or denial letter, Homstad said. FEMA can’t determine eligibility for assistance until applicants provide their insurance settlement information, they said.
What are my options if FEMA denies my claim?
According to Homstad, you can submit an appeal letter.
This letter must explain the reasons for the appeal and must be signed by the applicant or person who the applicant authorized to act on their behalf.
The appeal should also include the following information:
The applicant’s full name
Applicant’s FEMA application number and disaster number (That number is DR-4663-KY NR-022.)
Address of the applicant’s pre-disaster primary residence
Applicant’s current phone number and address
Supporting documents to support the claim from a contractor
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You do not need an attorney to make an appeal, Homstad said, and there are no income requirements applicants need to make in order to qualify for relief.
Last week, Gov. Beshear urged people to keep up the pressure on FEMA and appeal denials.
“Let me say to people applying for disaster assistance: No. 1, do not give up,” he said. “No. 2, if you’re denied, go and look these people in the eye.”
What happens after I submit my appeal to FEMA?
According to Homstad, once FEMA receives your appeal, a caseworker who had no prior involvement in your case will review the appeal and information to decide if a change in FEMA’s decision is warranted.
If more information is required in order to reach that decision, FEMA will take one or more of the following actions:
Calls the applicant and sends a letter requesting additional information with a deadline of 30 days to submit the additional information
Contacts a third party, such as a contractor, insurance company or mechanic, in order to verify submitted information
Schedules an appeal inspection
The agency notifies applicants in writing about the appeal decision within 90 days of the receipt of the appeal letter.
FEMA’s appeal decision represents the final agency determination and cannot be appealed again.
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