FEMA now accepting claims by typhoon victims

Starting today, the Federal Emergency Management Agency will be entertaining claim applications by victims affected by supertyphoon Chaba.

Claimants may contact FEMA’s teleregistration no. 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) at the National Information Processing Service Center in Denton, Texas, from 7am to 8pm daily, local time.

“[Individual assistance] is already available. They [victims] can start calling in,” said Tony Calvo, planning and information chief at the CNMI’s Emergency Operations Center.

The federal government is making available disaster assistance to the Commonwealth following President Bush’s declaration of the Northern Marianas as major disaster area.

Disaster relief would include not only public assistance for 75 percent of the cost of rehabilitation of public facilities, but also aid for individuals, families and business owners affected by the onslaught of Chaba. Each affected household may get a maximum grant of $25,600.

The FEMA clarified, though, that the nationwide average amount of assistance given to households in similar disasters range from $2,000 to $3,000, stressing that the amount of grant would vary depending on damage assessments.

Individual assistance covers lodging expense reimbursement, rental, home repair cash grants, home replacement cash grants and, in rare circumstances, permanent housing construction. Affected residents may also receive medical, dental, funeral, and transportation assistance.

Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration will also be available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.

Calvo said claimants should be U.S. citizens or permanent residents to qualify for individual aid. Non-U.S. citizens who have children or dependents who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents may also apply for assistance under the dependents’ names.

Calvo advised claimants to be ready to provide the following information: head of the household, Social Security number, location of damaged home and mailing address, telephone number and alternative contact numbers, the date when damage was incurred, gross income, home and/or auto insurance information, and request for damages.

He also advised claimants to be ready with documents proving ownership or leasehold of damaged homes, including insurance policies. He said certificate of ownership forms would also be available at the EOCs on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.

Calvo said the forms would also be available at FEMA’s Disaster Recovery centers on the three islands, which would be opened possibly Thursday. Saipan’s DRC will be located at the Multi-Purpose Center, while Tinian and Rota’s centers will be at the Tinian Youth Center and the Public Library, respectively. Once opened, the centers will serve residents from 8am to 6pm daily.

“FEMA inspectors will be visiting every applicant to verify damage claims and authorize processing of the claims,” Calvo said. Checks would be mailed out upon the approval of the claims. If discrepancies arise between the application and the inspectors’ assessment, the application may initially be denied but may be brought before the DRC for reconsideration.

FEMA representatives have been arriving on-island, supporting disaster relief operations. Last Saturday, Calvo said FEMA brought in relief supplies that include tents and kits, tarps, and cots from Guam. The supplies were transported via chartered Asian Pacific 727-aircraft, after the C-130 plane scheduled to arrive on Saipan incurred mechanical problems.

Meanwhile, the number of evacuees staying at government shelters remained relatively high at 938 yesterday, with some 354 staying at the Marianas High School. On Saipan, Ada gym had 200 evacuees; Kagman Community Center, 148; Dandan Community Center, 32; and Tanapag Social Hall, 25. The evacuees on the island totaled 759.

Some 114 evacuees remained sheltered at the Rota Aging Center, while Tinian gym had 65.