KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
After a disaster strikes, survivors Insurance? rarely think about obtaining legal assistance. But you may have rights that need to be protected. Three Rivers also wants you to have information about the various benefits that might be available. The more informed you are about your rights and possible benefits, the better your chances of recovery.
INSURANCE: Things to Know When Filing an Insurance Claim
If your property was affected by a disaster, and you had a home and/or flood insurance policy, you should file an insurance claim to see if there is coverage for your damages. You should allow the insurer’s claims representative to inspect the property as soon as possible. Become familiar with the
coverage you had in force at the time of the loss. Keep a copy of your policy in a safe place. Take photos of the damages and keep all of your receipts if you have to pay to repair the property, or to make the property safe, before the insurer sends someone to inspect the damages. An attorney can help you file a claim and explain available insurance coverage.
WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE INSURANCE
You may be eligible for federal benefits. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is a government funded agency that provides assistance to survivors of a disaster. Disaster survivors can apply to receive assistance through FEMA’s Individuals and Household program. Help may come in many different forms: temporary housing, emergency home repairs, money for personal property losses, payment for flood damage to cars that are covered by minimum insurance requirements, and medical, rental and funeral expenses caused by the disaster.
You can apply for FEMA assistance using one of the following Website:
www.DisasterAssistance.gov
Toll Free:
1-800-621-3362
Hearing Impaired:
TTY 1-800-462-7585
Or, you can apply in person by visiting a local Disaster Recovery Center. If you receive payments, you must retain proof that you spent FEMA funds for their intended purpose. The application process and appeals process can be difficult to navigate alone. Our attorneys can help you through this process.
Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP)
D-SNAP provides emergency food assistance to households affected by a disaster. This program is only active when there is a presidentially-declared disaster with a program for individual assistance. To be eligible to receive DSNAP benefits, you must meet certain criteria such as a loss of income due to the disaster, or loss of household food due to a power outage, etc. D-SNAP uses different standards than normal SNAP. What is SNAP? The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) called food assistance in Florida and formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, provides food benefits, access to a healthy diet and education on nutrition to low-income households. Even if you would not normally qualify for SNAP, you may still qualify for D-SNAP. You may apply for D-SNAP benefits at special sites in your community. Before the program begins, state agencies release information through local media to let you know the location of application sites, their days of operation, and the eligibility requirements.
DISPUTES WITH LANDLORDS
As a renter, you need to know your rights during a disaster. DISPUTES WITH LANDLORDS are common. You may not be responsible to pay rent or other fees associated with your rental if your premises are completely or partially unlivable due to a disaster. Your landlord has a duty to make repairs to make the home safe to live in. Our attorneys may be able to help if the landlord fails to make needed repairs or tries to evict you because of the disaster.
BEWARE of Home Repair Scams after a Storm
After the storm, don’t be victimized by fraudulent or scam home repair contractors. Protect yourself! heck the credentials of any home repair contractor, check the contractor’s references, get written estimates, and never pay the full amount in cash.
Three Rivers Legal Services, Inc. may be able to provide services to the following after a disaster Handling disputes with your landlord Filing supplemental claims and appeals with FEMA, defending foreclosure cases, negotiating issues with your contractor, and helping to file your homeowner’s and/or flood insurance claims
Three Rivers Legal Services Contact us if you think you have a civil legal problem and might be eligible for assistance from Three Rivers Legal Services.
