FEMA reimbursement question

[GalvestonDuck]

Wasn't been able to get through on the main number during my lunch break at home and we still don't have phones here at work.

I'm trying to find out -- People are talking here, saying that FEMA will reimburse for evacuation costs and food loss. I know they will reimburse for hotels because that's what we were advised to tell people coming to the shelter after Katrina. Save receipts and send them to FEMA. But what about gas money? People are saying they'll give us assistance for gas money, but most people paid cash (because they got it out of banks before leaving since ATM's don't always work after the storm) and didn't get receipts (it was too hectic -- who remembered receipts when we just wanted to be moving more than 2 mph?). And they're saying food lost in a fridge/freezer is considered a loss and therefore should be reported and you can get reimbursement.

I feel guilty applying for something so minor when others are in horrible shape. But they said they want a full accounting of all losses and damages, even the minor ones.

Anybody know?

[Rob Beaux]

Your insuracne might cover your food lost if FEMA doesnt. My parents looked into FEMA money after Katrina but there seemed to be a mimimum amount that they didnt meet.( only out for 2 nights at a cheap hotel).

[GalvestonDuck]

I called my agent and he said the company won't reimburse for food, but FEMA would.

People are a little stressed here since the grocery stores aren't fully stocked and restaurants aren't open. The hospital cafeteria is serving basics instead of all the gourmet stuff. There *is* stuff for them to eat. But it's just not a feeling of normalcy yet because they don't have a selection at the cafeteria or they walk through the store and the meat cases are empy, the fruit section is empty (I guess veggies are hardier and last longer without refrigeration?), and the only kinds of bread are Mrs. Baird's white and split-top wheat. It looks as if Mrs. B suddenly had a monopoly on bread sales because the entire wall of shelves was nothing but those two kinds. No Iron Kids, no Pepperidge Farm, no Rainbow, no English muffins, no rye, pumpernickel, honey wheat, whole grain, or any of those other kinds. Just white and split-top wheat from Mrs. Bairds.

The way I see it -- at least there's bread.

And thank God for preparedness. I might not be able to enjoy a lot of the food I normally like, but at least I'm not going hungry.

[SouthFLTropics]

Here is my experience with FEMA...

Last year after Hurricane Jeanne I wasn't even going to file a claim with my insurance company because I didn't feel I had enough damage to meet the deductable. I called the agent and she said to file a claim anyway. Boy am I glad I did...A week later I got a check in the mail for over $9000.00. Then, I had heard rumors that FEMA would reimburse you if you bought a generator. I called FEMA and they sent someone out to my house. The guy was not here any longer than 5 minutes. Asked me some real quick questions and never looked at my reciepts that I had. I only paid $550.00 for the generator, as it was a small one. I asked him if he wanted to see my reciept for the generator and gas and he said no. A week later I got a check from FEMA for $1050.00. I was very suprised to get that amount considering that I only expected to get a portion of what I paid for the generator. I felt bad about getting that much as there were many others who needed it more than I did. I called FEMA and they told me not to worry about it. They use a "formula" and that was the amount that they calculated for me. Moral of the story. File a claim with your insurance company and with FEMA...you might be suprised at what you'll be able to get. BTW, my insurance premium didn't raise one penny since last year. I love my insurance company.

SouthFLTropics

[GalvestonDuck]

Thanks for the advice, SouthFLTropics. I'll pass it on.

[HurriCat]

Yep. Looks like the main thing is to live through the storm, then they will practically throw money at you. How stupid I was - Charley hit us pretty good and I called FEMA right away. Then, after getting a good look at everything, I said "Eh, I don't really NEED federal help". Idiot. The equivalent of throwing out a winning lottery ticket. Is the FEMA money to be repaid? Let me guess...

[GalvestonDuck]

Yeah, that's like me...I don't NEED it.

But hey, if they want to add my little screen door damage (maybe no more than $2.00 for nails to fix it) to the damage total, I guess it counts. But for the money and stuff, I don't need it. I have coworkers who do though, with kids, elderly parents. They had to spend money they didn't have in order to get everyone to safety and now they're worried about bills and food. I'm trying to reassure them.

Honestly...we were lucky here. It's a hardship, but not devastation by any means.

[TexasSam]

I think you can do that on the FEMA web site:
http://www.fema.gov/