FEMA Recipients Urged to use Grants for Intended Purpose

Eagle Times Staff
WILLISTON, Vt. – FEMA is warning disaster assistance recipients that the aid is intended only to help residents pay for necessities lost because of the July severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides.

Letter explaining what the payment are to be used for are now being sent to recipients within a day or two of the check or direct deposit payment.

FEMA’s letters will also contain good news. The agency wants eligible disaster survivors to know that federal disaster assistance funds for rental assistance, home repairs and more are tax-free. FEMA’s notification letter will inform recipients of the appropriate uses for disaster assistance funds.

Acceptable uses of disaster funds include:

• Home repairs

• Rental assistance for a different place to live temporarily

• Repair or replacement of a damaged primary vehicle

• Uninsured out-of-pocket medical expenses for an injury caused by the disaster

• Repair or replacement of occupational tools

• Essential educational materials

• Moving and storage expenses related to the disaster

• Other disaster-related expenses.

If a recipient spends the grant on anything other than the purpose for which it is intended, they may be ineligible for future disaster assistance. In some cases, FEMA may ask that the money be returned.

Those receiving assistance are urged to keep receipts for their disaster spending for three years to document that the money was used to meet disaster-related needs. If you receive an insurance settlement to cover the same expenses, you must reimburse FEMA. Audits are conducted to confirm funds were spent properly.

Survivors in Caledonia, Chittenden, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, Rutland, Washington, Windham and Windsor counties can apply for disaster assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov, by using the FEMA mobile app or by calling 800-621-3362.

For the latest information on Vermont’s response and recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4720.

Follow the FEMA Region 1 account on Twitter at twitter.com/FEMARegion1 or the FEMA Facebook at facebook.com/FEMA. Follow the Vermont Emergency Management Agency at twitter.com/vemvt on Twitter and on Facebook at facebook.com/VermontEmergencyManagement.