Amendment 001 Sample Letter - Outbound mail ops re-compete 12.8.2020.pdf

Wanda Vázquez Garced Governor Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

Date: 11/11/2020

Pete Gaynor Administrator Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA

P.O. Box 10055 Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055

Disaster Number: 4571 FEMA Application Number: 123456789

Mr John Doe 5456 Any Street Arecibo, PR 00612-4706

Mr John Doe:

FEMA has reviewed your application for disaster assistance. FEMA Assistance is not a substitute for insurance and cannot cover all losses caused by a disaster; it is intended to help with emergency disaster recovery needs. This letter explains why you are not receiving assistance at this time and the additional steps you can take to receive assistance.

ASSISTANCE NOT APPROVED

You are not approved for the following assistance because:

Ineligible - Occupancy Not Verified (INONV):

FEMA has determined you are not eligible for Housing Assistance because you did not prove you lived in the damaged home at the time of the disaster.

If you decide to appeal this decision, provide a written and signed explanation and a copy of one of the following documents:

Valid driver’s license, state-issued identification card, or voter registration card;

Lease agreement signed by you or the co-applicant and the landlord;

Rent receipt with landlord’s contact information;

Utility bill;

Merchant’s statement (such as credit card or cell phone bill); or Employer’s statement (such as paystub).

Supporting documents must show your name, the damaged home address, and be dated within the 3 months before the disaster.

If you cannot send any of the above documents, you may provide a written and signed statement from your landlord or a public official. The statement must show your name, the damaged home address, how long you have lived there, and contact information from the landlord or public official.

HOW TO APPEAL

If you disagree with FEMA’s decision, you have the right to appeal.

When do I need to submit my appeal? Appeals must be submitted within 60 days of the date of this letter.

What do I need to provide? A written and signed letter explaining why you disagree with FEMA’s decision and copies of any documents supporting your appeal, including proof of your disaster-caused losses. All documents, receipts, bills, and/or estimates must include contact information for the service provider, allowing us to verify the information.

Please write the disaster number and your FEMA application number on all submitted documents. These numbers are printed above your name and address at the beginning of this letter. Please keep all original documents for your records.

Appeals must be signed by you, the co-applicant, or a third party authorized to appeal on your behalf. If you authorize a third party to act on your behalf, you must submit a signed and written statement explaining the type of information that may be shared, and name of the authorized third party.

Where do I send my appeal? Mail to:

FEMA

P.O. Box 10055 Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055

Fax to:

800-827-8112 Attn: FEMA

Upload to:

www.DisasterAssistance.gov Click “Check Status” on the Home Page and follow the instructions

How long will it take before I know if my appeal is approved or denied?

You will receive a decision letter from FEMA within 90 days of FEMA’s receipt of your appeal.

To check the status of your appeal, or to notify FEMA of any change to your mailing address or contact information, or for more information about your application, please visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov and select Check Your Application Status, or call FEMA’s Helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362).

Who can I call if I have questions about my appeal?

Please call FEMA’s Helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362) for assistance.

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability and use a TTY, please call 800-462-7585. If you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

When you applied for assistance from FEMA, you were provided information about other programs or agencies that may assist you. You are encouraged to contact these agencies for more information on additional programs for disaster survivors.

If available, you may also visit a local Disaster Recovery Center, where FEMA and other agencies can provide additional information in person. For information on locations near you, or if you have questions regarding disaster assistance, please visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or call FEMA’s Helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362). If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability and use a TTY, please call 800-462-7585. If you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362. If you feel that you have been discriminated against, you may contact the Civil Rights Unit within the Office of Equal Rights by email at FEMA-Civil-Rights-Program-OER@fema.dhs.gov, or call 202-212-3535.

Sincerely, Individuals and Households Program Officer SUPER

OR OR