08/27/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/27/2024 11:13
FEMA may provide assistance to underinsured residents of New Mexico who were impacted by the South Fork and Salt Fires and flooding. Even if you have insurance, FEMA may be able to help with costs that insurance doesn't cover. The following information explains how insurance affects eligibility for FEMA assistance:
You need to tell FEMA about all the insurance coverage you have (e.g., flood, homeowners, renters, vehicle, mobile home, medical, burial, etc.) when you apply for FEMA assistance. FEMA can't pay for costs that your insurance covers, so it's important to contact your insurance company right away to file a claim.
In some cases, FEMA may help pay for costs your insurance didn't cover, up to FEMA's maximum award amounts. So, if you still need assistance, you can send FEMA a copy of the documents from your insurance company that show the damage or expenses your insurance covers. The types of documents residents can send include:
FEMA may be able to help with costs that your insurance doesn't cover. For each type of assistance, FEMA will look at your insurance payout and compare it to your verified loss or damage.
If your net payout (the amount your insurance paid for your claim after deductibles) is less than the loss amount recorded during your FEMA inspection, you can get Home Repair Assistance for the difference between FEMA verified loss and your net insurance payout - up to the maximum award amount. For example:
It depends. FEMA doesn't directly pay deductibles, but your FEMA award may be able to cover some or all of your deductible.
Yes, FEMA may cover things that insurance doesn't cover, like damage to wells and septic systems.
In some cases, FEMA may be able to provide some help while you are waiting for your insurance settlement. If it has been 30 days or more since you filed your insurance claim and you have received no funds, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. FEMA may be able to provide you some initial funds to rent somewhere to stay while you wait for your insurance settlement.
If you don't agree with FEMA's decision, you can appeal by showing why you need FEMA assistance. The eligibility letter you get from FEMA will have more information about what may be missing from your application and what types of documents you may need to submit to avoid an appeal.
You can send supporting documents to FEMA by:
The first step for residents and business owners in Lincoln, Otero, Rio Arriba and San Juan Counties and the Mescalero Apache Reservationto receive assistance is to apply to FEMA. There are four ways to apply:
For video in American Sign Language on how to apply for assistance, visit youtube.com/watch= WZGpWI2RCNw.
There are no costs involved to apply for, or receive, FEMA assistance.
If you live in Lincoln, Otero, Rio Arriba and San Juan Counties or the Mescalero Apache Reservation the deadline to apply for FEMA assistance is Oct. 19, 2024.