Compared to many of the complaint letters here on DearFEMA.com, my problem is minor, but still very frustrating. I did in fact receive the initial $2,000 from FEMA and I have also received a trailer that I am now living in. What I am frustrated with is the request for reimbursement for itmes purchased after the storm to mitigate any further damage to my home. Prior to purchasing any items, we spoke, in person with representatives from FEMA to find out if we would be reimbursed. We were told yes, you will receive reimbursement for purchasing a generator, chain saw (which we didn’t need, and didn’t purchase) a shop vac for clean up and a dehumidifier to assist in drying out our home. I faxed in the recipts for the items purchased on the 12th of October. On the 25th of October a FEMA representative visited my home, verified the damages to my home (over 8 feet of water)and he also verified the receipts for the generator, shop vac and dehumidifier. He told me at that time that it would take about two weeks for reimbursement of these items. It is now the 23rd of December, and I’m still waiting. I have called FEMA numerous times, only to be told, yes, we see that the receipts were scanned in, and when it’s assigned to a case manager, they will review the request for reimbursement. I have called no less than 25 times, and each time I’m told the same thing, except now, supposedly I’ve been assigned a case manager but the person I talk to can’t tell me who the case manager is or how to contact them. Many of the FEMA reps I’ve talked to have been downright rude and unprofessional. One time I called and after getting multiple “I don’t know” for an answer, I asked to speak with a supervisor. They told me they didn’t have enough supervisors in the office for me to talk to, and that I would have to contact the TX office to speak with a supervisor. I asked for that number, and they told me it was the same 800 number, it’s just the luck of the draw as to which office your call is routed to. I’m not asking for anything more than I was told I was entitled to as a taxpaying citizen of the United States. If I had known that I wouldn’t be reimbursed, or that it would take this much hassel, I would never have bought these items in the first place. But, then they would have had more comments to me in that I would be accused of not preventing further damage to my home. The only way to do this was to get a dehumidifier and a generator to run it.
State Farm Insurance is also worthless in my opinion. One estimate (paid for by me) indicated that the damages to my home are approximately $118,800, but the adjuster from State Farm is only offering $48,000. I would have been better off not having flood insurance and not having paid the premium for this coverage, since the State of MS is now looking at paying those who did not have flood insurance $150,000 for their damages. I’m so tired of fighting with FEMA and State Farm. I think if my doctor had not put me on anti-depressants by now, I would have just ended it all rather then have to go through what we are all going through, and losing all that I have worked for in the lat 20 years.
- Kim
Hello-
I work for FEMA and might be able to help you out a bit. The generator reimbusement program is taking no less than 30 days. Due to an insane caseload, things that took 7 to 10 days to process are now taking 30-40 days. If your reciepts are scanned into the system, you’re 3/4 of the way there. I am sorry that you’ve gone through such an ordeal for your reimbursement!
As to the misinformation and rude manner in which you were treated by the phone operators, please do report it. If you are referred to the 800 621-FEMA number, you are more than likely speaking to someone who had a very brief training session, and may honestly not know what is going on with your case. The only way that I learned to decypher the computer system was by experience alone, not by any class I took.
The operator may also have been someone who was displaced from either Katrina, Rita or Wilma. A large number of FEMA employees are what are referred to as “local hires,” those who have lost thier jobs due to any kind of disaster. It’s another way to provide funds to those who need it. Unfortunately, some of these folks are understandibly stressed out. Combine thier own stress with that of other victims, and genuine frustration with not knowing how to answer people’s questions, and you get someone who is not going to be able to provide a professional response.
Not that that is an excuse for the way that you were treated. You may also have simply been served by a non local-hire FEMA employee with a nasty attitude. Either way, you CAN report it.
There is a helpline number, one specifically for questions or concerns regarding your application. (800) 525-0321. Make sure that FEMA has your current mailing address and phone number, in case someone needs to get ahold of you.
I hope that things run more smoothly for you in the future. If you have any other concerns, feel free to e-mail me. Good luck! bonanzajellybeanz@yahoo.com
Comment by Bonanza Jellybean — December 25, 2005
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keep fighting for what is yours do not let state farm get over because just like they wanted their insurance premiums then you need your insurance money.
Comment by lynsa — December 28, 2005
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about State Farm claim, it is pretty much on how your agent/adjuster is. My sister received a fairly good sum of money from SF, but her sister-in-laws across the street got raped bad, all because of a different adjuster. As for FEMA, after Katrina I started working on my house and yard. When the agent came over to evaluate my damage, I had fixed most of it. IT HAD BEEN 3 MONTHS. So, claim was DENIED! And he didn’t care how many receipts I had!
Comment by Just Depends — January 1, 2006
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Just Depends,
What were your reciepts for? Did you send them in to be processed? Do you have pictures of your damage? If so, you should write an appeal letter.
Comment by mysteryguest — January 1, 2006
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I have just heard on the national news that whites in Louisiana received more money, more insurance, and were able to received funds to rebuild their homes, whereas the majority of the population, which is black, were left out and the only statement from FEMA was that this was an OVERSIGHT. What a travesty. One day this country is going to explode from within - the poor against the affluent. Ask not for whom the bells toll - they toll for thee.
Comment by Anita Moore — October 25, 2006
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