To Fema: I had applied for help from Fema when there was a flood that came to my area and the county was considered a disaster from my state. I applied and was denied because Fema didnt’ feel I had enough substancial damage. I am probably one of the few who carries flood insurance but the problem with that is that my damage wasnt’ as much as my 5000.00 deductable. My insurance suggested that I applied for Fema. I had water only a 1/2 inch from comming into my home thru my crawl space. I have mold and my duct work needs to be cleaned. I had 2 feet of water in my garage and it ruined my new flooring that I hadnt’ put down in my kitchen that was in my garage. The flood also ruined my shed and things that were stored in it. All I was asking for was to clean and get rid of the mold in my crawl space and clean my duct work which the estimate was 1800.00 but yet others I have spoke with was able to receive assistance thru Fema even though there insurance covered thier damages thru their household policies which my household polioy wouldnt’ cover that is the difference in ins. companies. Example: One couple I know insurance paid to put in a new furance because their old one was in the basement and was ruined in the flood and paid for central air which they didnt’ have before and replaced there floors which the water never even got in there house it was under there floors just like mine. Then they applied for Fema and received 9000.00 this is not right. I had to leave my home for 4 days because of the flood and evacuation but yet Fema doesnt’ care that my elderly mother who lives with me and myself have to breath this sewage backwater from the flood and have stuff come up through my register vents because water got inside of my duct work. They Fema suggested I get a loan for my damages. I have Fema knocking at my door asking me questions still even though I was denied for assistance. So I tell them to not waste my time or theirs because Fema turned me down and that I do not think you are all that reliable.So the Fema person’s that come to my house tell me to go uptown somewhere to talk to a representative which I havent’ because it would be the same I’m sure but I did decide that I would write you this letter. I was just as devasated as everyone else in this county during the flood and unfortunately some were effected more than others. I now know if another flood comes through here that Fema is one organization that some of us can not depend on. Sincerely, Jill Rudisill
Comment by Jill Rudisill — March 24, 2008 ____________________________________________________
I wrote a brief message about a couple that moved in across from me and after myself, Fema, Red Cross, and other instutions helped take care of this family, I find out that while living in Mississippi this couple moved up here due to being behind 3 months on rent. Of course, they left EVERYTHING THEY owned in the apartment except for personnel items. I found out through her mother that the apartments that they lived in had very little damage from the hurricane Katrina. They left this house here in Lawton, OK and went back to MS and left all the things in storage that was given to them by Fema and the others. Of course, the account became delinquit and they were 330.00 dollars behind and I called the storage building only to find out that the following Saturday the bin was going to be auctioned off. And it was. Thier names are John Blair and Tasha Standridge. You can call me at 580-442-5931 for more detailed information. If I must pay taxes to organizations as such I would like to see my money go to the good and needy. Thank you for reading my mail.
Comment by Lynn Stewart — July 13, 2008 ____________________________________________________
I applied for fema help for Hurricane Gustav. You send me the envelope for a loan. I don’t want a loan!! Instead of giving those dead heads help, you should be helping the people who work regularly. I evacuated, I had to pay for the gas, the hotel, the food, then returned home to a damaged home, which the insurance has me with a $7000 deductable. The damage is about $3000, which I have to come across, and to add to all of this the gas to run the generator for insulin. I didn’t get no stipend to pay for my hotel, but yet the people of New Orleans are griping that they should get fema to help pay their bills because they didn’t work!!!when they got a stipend for their hotel stay, and fema is paying for their traveling expense. Where is the justice?? I along with many others who are vitims of the storm (Lafourche and Terrebonne Parish) are getting the shaft. We have to pay for our departure and our lodging, then we have to pay out our own pockets for the damage to our homes and we all have loss of wages!! Who is getting this Federal Funds?? THE DEAD HEADS!!!!
Comment by Jimmy Savoie — September 10, 2008 ____________________________________________________
We have a mobile home in North Liberty, Iowa for sale. We have put a lot of work into it making it comfortable for some one in a need of a home. Is there someone we can contact to see if Fema would be interested in purchasing this home for a family. Please advise, thank you
Comment by Jean Marie Pajak — September 23, 2008 ____________________________________________________
My family is a victim of huurican ike. We live in bridge city and our house like many was a complete loss. I registered with fema, and was denied! We do have flood insurance but since we no longer have a home, we need a trailer on our property so we can rebuild. Are we being punished because we have flood insurance? I finally got fema on the phone and she told me you have to request rental assistance? I do not understand who is more deserving of a trailer? Is it someone else that does not have proper coverage, or the person that pays their premiums and does’nt have a place to live? Please enlightn me on this subject, I am very frusterated with the procedures, and it is nearly imposssible to get fema on the phone!!
Comment by carmen brumfield — September 29, 2008 ____________________________________________________
I applied for fema last week.They called me back in a few days which was nice.I was thankful for the vMy roof is about to cave in nice.I really really need help with my roof. Thats the reason i applied. I prayed for help.My roof is about to fall.Please i need help.I have no one to turn to So please could could you all consider us again. Thank you very much. Charlene Lucious
Comment by charlenelucious — October 21, 2008 ____________________________________________________
Dear Fema I’m asking for help again because they denied me. If i did’nt need the help i would have never applied.Thank you for coming out. The guy was very nice. I really really need help.Thats why i applied .So could you all please consider us again. I need help with my roof. Please consider again. Thank you very much. CharleneLucious.
Comment by charlenelucious — October 21, 2008 ____________________________________________________
IM A SINGLE MOM OF FOUR CHILDREN ONE WHO HAS ALREADY LEFT HOME. DURIING IKE, OUR HOUSE TRAILER SHIFTED OFF THE FOUDATION, BLOCKS WHICH CAME THROUGH THE BACK SIDE OF OUR HOME DESTROYING THE HOME FLOORS, AND BENT THE TRAILER FRAME. THE OUTSIDE WINDOW WAS TAKEN OUT BY A MEDIUM TREE, THE WASTE LINES AND WATER LINES WERE PULLED AWAY FROM OUR HOUSE CAUSING IT TO BECOME UNSANITARY.I TRIED TO FIX IT THE BEST I COULD, BUT AS A MOTHER, THAT WAS A LITTLE HARD TO DO. WHEN THE TRAILER FELL IT TOOK OUR H2O HEATER WITH IT THE MOBILE HOME GUYS CAME OUT AND CHARGED ME 2200.00 JUST TO AIR LIFT AND REBLOCK THAT IS NOT INCLUDING,PUTTING UP USED UNDERPINNING USED RIGHT BECAUSE I SPENT ALOT OF MONEY GETTING THE FLOORS RELEVELED.NEW WOOD FOR FLOOR, AND ALSO A NEW WATER HEATER WELL I AM UNABLE TO GET THE HEATER FIXED WITH ONLY MY INCOME.OR EVEN A NEW ONE.THE TREE THAT FELL I HAD TO PAY THEM 150.00 FOR REMOVING THE TREE. THE TREE TOPS ARE THE ONES
WE BURNT.I DO HEAT UP WATER FOR MY CHILDREN FOR NECESSITIES, YES I HAVE RECEIVED 795.00 WHICH I AM VERY THANKFUL BUT IT ONLY PAID FOR THE UNDERPINNING TO BE ORDERED AND REPLACED.IT WAS OVER 982.00 PLUS TAX.MY WHOLE FLOORS NEED REPAIRED AND I CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH.WITH KEEPIN THE BALANCE UP BETWEEN LOVE AND MONEY ALOT OF PEOPLE TAKE LIFE FOR GRANTED.I KNOW THERE ARE ALOT OF PEOPLE OUT THEIR THAT NEEDS HELP BEFORE ME BUT LIVING UP AND DOWN IN A TRAILER IS SO VERY HARD TO DO!PLEASE HELP ME AND MY KIDS GET BACK ON TRACK HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR EARS AND YOUR KINDNESS. JUANITA HUFF FEMA APP.#393189857 DISASTER #1795 ALSO I CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH ALL THE RECEIPTS YOU NEED TO HELP US OUT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PAITENCE, MY PHONE #IS 812-346-5650
Comment by juanita l.moore/huff — October 27, 2008 ____________________________________________________
I cannot get through to Human Resources.A gentleman by the name of Sid Garcia, who ownes Affordable Hurricane Protection, Inc. 16758 67th Court, Loxahatchee, Fl, states he is working for FEMA,and is in Galveston, Texas, putting tarps on roofs.His tel. # & home tel.# has been disconnected. He was to do work for me and a neighbor, and has our money. Work should have been done by Nov.1,08. No return calls from him any longer.I would just like to know if he is actually working for FEMA; and still in Texas?
I have tried all day to get through to FEMA to no avail. I have spoken to BBB, and it is a licensed businness. Any help you can render to me would be very much appreciated. Thank You
Comment by Paul Ponte — November 14, 2008 ____________________________________________________
How many years can you get for FEMA fraud?
Comment by kevin howard — December 9, 2008 ____________________________________________________
What a joke and farce FEMA assistsance is. My daughter was attending Texas A&M @Galveston and renting a house at the time of Hurricane Ike. She had to evacuate. She had to live with friends and classmates for two weeks as she had no other place to live. She applied for FEMA assistance at the recommendation of TAMUG. One of her roommates received $1400 for rental assistance, my daughter was denied after getting the run around for months, she was told that there was not sufficient damage to the residence to make it necessary for assistance. The house had six feet of water in it. The owner released them from their lease because the home was unlivable. UNBELIEVABLE, THAT ONE PERSON GETS ASSISTANCE AND ANOTHER IN THE SAME HOME AND SAME SITUATION GETS DENIED.
Comment by LISA SMITH — January 31, 2009 ____________________________________________________
I agree with Lisa Smith. My daughter was living with three other A&M Students at the UA apartments. They were unlivable after Hurricane Ike. The FEMA rep on site said that not having power, water or sewage did not make the apartments unlivable. When the students went back to get their personal property, everything was in ruin. The causeway to Pelican Island was unpassable for 5 weeks. The first floor apartments had water damage and mold was growing up the walls to the 3rd level. Two of the students in my daughter’s quad received $1400 each, but my daughter and one other student did not receive anyting from FEMA. These kids sat down and all filled out the same paperwork online. She kept being denied by FEMA telling her that her Social Security Number was not coming up as valid. My god, she has had that number since she was 10 days old. It worked for k-12, we used it on our tax returns and she also had a couple of part time jobs in high school and college that she had W2’s. She sent copies of the W2s to FEMA with copies of her drivers license, which in Texas requires a valid SS#. She has had her driver’s license since she was 16 and updated twice with her SS Card at TxDPS. Her application stated she lived at the Ua’s located on Seawolf Parkway, but the documents coming back from FEMA kept saying Seawall Pkwy and this was not a valid address. She had several emergency needs during the evacuation. Her medication for her migranes was damaged by rain and lost, and her eye glasses were damaged in the evacuation. All of her personal property was ruined. She lost her part time job at the Flight Museum. FEMA just flat out denied everything from living expenses to medical. I do not understand why some people living in other apartments or rental properties near my daughter’s apartment qualfied for assistance from FEMA on Galveston Island. FEMA just be fair to everyone needing assistance during this kind of a disaster.
Comment by Deborah Bissonnet — April 27, 2009 ____________________________________________________
My husband and I applied for FEMA assistance and were denied over and over. We rent our home (in Galveston) and ONLY applied for reimbursement on our lodging expenses. We evacuated as we were told to do and we came back as soon as we were told we could. We could not find a FEMA approved hotel room available within 100 miles. We returned to work as soon as possible therefore had to pay for temporary lodging. That is the only thing we ask help with and were denied. I am shocked that people in other hurricanes were issued gift cards, money, etc….no questions ask. I know people that didn’t even evacuate during hurricane Rita that recieved $1000.00 no questions asked. My husband and I evacuated for Rita but didn’t ask for any help because we didn’t feel like we should abuse the system. I guess with hurricane IKE had we stay 100 miles away in a FEMA approved hotel and not worked they would have paid for everything. I guess FEMA just does not help those who want to do the right thing. You can be assured that I will not evacuate again. I will take my chances and if I have to be rescued off my roof or if I die maybe FEMA can explain that to my family. We have NEVER applied for any assistance in our lives and the one time we needed a little help NOTHING.
Comment by Dori Stacy Saunders — April 28, 2009 ____________________________________________________
State Farm Used FEMA funds to pay for State Farm Obligations. My roof was inspected by 4 inspectors following Hurricane Katrina on Aug. 29th, 2009. all pronounced the roof as sound. Following a very strong thunderstorm in early December 2006, my neighbor Paul Dreibe noticed my roof shingles were broken and deposited on my back porch. I had an independent inspector followed by a State Farm inspector verified the damage to the roof. I suspect with all the people walking on the roof did not help the roof. However, if it was not for the heavy storms, the roof would have been ok. the estimate to correct the roof was over $16.000.00.
This switch of funds by State Farm Insurance cost me over $16,000.00 which had to be paid to St. Tammany Parish as part of a multiple flooding settlement. My ex Insurance, Ms Linda Collins, 3499 Pontchartrain Drive Suite 3, Slidell, LA 70458-4853 has blocked my communication with FEMA. She will not notify FEMA of my address change. I have notified my congressmen of the problem, but we have no resolution in sight. Since only the insurance agent can change the address I am out of luck.
I hope this is an isolated misuse of FEMA funds to the benefit of State Farm Insurance, but I believe it may be wide spread. David K Carpenter
Comment by David K Carpenter — April 28, 2009 ____________________________________________________
my name is debbie roye i live in ascension parish. i called fema they came out said my trailer was considered a total loss. i am a single mom of two kids. i had insurance on my trailer. the insurance paid off my trailer except for a 1000.00. which i was grateful for that. but i still had no home for me and my kids. fema denied me because my insurance paid my trailer. but what about help for me to pay for a place to live. i couldnt even get rental assistance nothing. i now have to pay 3 times what i was paying for my trailer because renting is not cheap and we are struggling so much that at times we dont even have enough money for groceries. now you tell me how fema can help people who have no insurance and even just rent their home. i lost everything i worked so hard for and couldnt get no damn help. i think it is sad that we hard working people that dont live off the state cant get help but people who sit on the asses all day got 10000.00 or more to help them. this is a damn shame. that is why the united states is in the situation its in. i am totally disgusted with fema and how they handled things.im struggling everyday just to make it . please help me anybody.
thanks,
debbie roye
Comment by debbie roye — May 5, 2009 ____________________________________________________
FEMA—I am a aggravated citizen and believe justice is not being served for all victims from natural disasters. I read a few letters from citizens that are still waiting for assistance and wondering WHY should that be???? I know of someone that was living in an apartment that should have been condemed. She would come to work talking about the floors from her closet caved in and she could see the neighbors from her closet, she said many a times the pipes busted and they had to tear up her floors and into her walls. Of course I would always ask why don’t you move and she said she had lived there 10+ years and she had so much stuff she didn’t know who would help her move…blah..blah…blah. Then hurricane Ike came through and deleivered from this apartment. She claimed all her stuff got ruined, she had no clothes & shoes….on and on…She got upset when Fema didn’t move fast enough. Well Fema put her up in a hotel and she complained about that because it wasn’t close for her so she stayed somewhere until they found her a temp place. She moved. In the meantime she took pictures of the disaster in her apartment and claimed everything to be a loss. After she submitted the paperwork and the process started she went back to claim/salvage her stuff. Well Fema set her up in a nice apartment and has paid her rent for 6 months. They also gave her vocuhers to get new living room furniture, new bedroom suite, all new kitchen stuff, new clothes and shoes, new flat screen t.v.’s and more. Oh yeah, paid her utilities and cable, new computer…etc. Oh wait, foodstamps also! Well she just went to re-apply for a year because she is claiming hardship. Today she informs me they are also paying to get her teeth done $3700 is her voucher for her teeth and they are also paying for glasses. She has never worn glasses but now she cannot see. PLEASE SOMEONE tell me how can she be getting all this from FEMA???? Before the hurrican came she paid her rent, bought her own food, paid her utilities, she bragged about her beautiful furniture she had and lived in an apartment she claimed was falling apart. Now she has all new stuff…salvaged her old stuff that FEMA thought was no good and gave her money to replace and is living in a nice apartment FEMA is paying for. Now mind you her employment status never changed. She still has the same job before the storm and after. How can she claim hardship now when she wasn’t having any before. IS FEMA REALLY LOOKING AT THE NEEDS OF THE RIGHT PEOPLE?
Comment by Aggravated Citizen — May 19, 2009 ____________________________________________________
Dear Fema, my house siding had serverly damaged by recent Hurricane IKE. When i filed a claim with my insurance, the adjustor came out to take photos of the house, i pointed out all areas damaged which included roof, skylight window, the front/back patios, the waterleak through fireplace, and as well as the siding, the adjuster said the siding damaged was due to lack of maintanience, only replace a few piece of siding. Now I could see all nails are coming out of the siding surrounding of my house, some of them are even dropped. Could someone help me how would I file a claim with the insurance company? PLease Help,,,,, Jasmin.
Comment by jasmintranly@yahoo.com — June 17, 2009 ____________________________________________________
To those without concern:
My wife and I were and are still victims of hurricane IKE. We applied for assistance but were denied! The reasons stated were I refused to relocate and that we were renters. First I could not relocate to Eagle Lake Texas where you told me I would have to go. My wife was critically ill in the hospital during the hurricane fighting for her life. To move some 80 miles away was ludicris! Second I am not a renter a fact that I shared with the FEMA representative by way of showing her the TITLE to my trailer! I appealed your decision only to find out you CLAIMED never to have received it! Why should I believe you? I mean its not like your organization is run efficiently. Never the less my wife and I are left with NOTHING! Thank you FEMA. I will be forwarding a copy of this letter to my congressmen. My wife’s brother was given aid by FEMA and did not have to move! My wife’s brother was offered a trailer to live in TWO times but declined because he did not need it. My wife’s brother was fully insured and still received aid from FEMA. My wife’s brother received aid from FEMA due to lost wages and I did not. My wife’s brother received compensation for ALL OF HIS LOSSES from FEMA and we didn’t get a thing! Finally to top it off my wife’s brother received compensation from his insurance as well. Here is a breakdown of the inequities:
1. We filed for help and were turned down.
He filed for help and received it.
2. I am a white man married to a white woman.
He is a white man married to a black woman.
The Katrina victims are STILL getting assistance in and I quote the Mayor of New Orleans “In the chocolate city”. That statement by him is PURLY RACISTS! But because he is black he gets a pass! I feel that not only am I the victim of Hurricane IKE but also the victim of REVERSE DISCRIMANATION! I know this letter if pointless, but I feel others should know that FEMA discrimanates!
Words from a tax payer
Brett Barrett
Comment by Brett Barrett — December 8, 2009 ____________________________________________________
DearFema.com is a public archive of visitor submitted open letters of complaint to FEMA, public officials, insurance
companies, and other public and private agencies. More Info
To Fema: I had applied for help from Fema when there was a flood that came to my area and the county was considered a disaster from my state. I applied and was denied because Fema didnt’ feel I had enough substancial damage. I am probably one of the few who carries flood insurance but the problem with that is that my damage wasnt’ as much as my 5000.00 deductable. My insurance suggested that I applied for Fema. I had water only a 1/2 inch from comming into my home thru my crawl space. I have mold and my duct work needs to be cleaned. I had 2 feet of water in my garage and it ruined my new flooring that I hadnt’ put down in my kitchen that was in my garage. The flood also ruined my shed and things that were stored in it. All I was asking for was to clean and get rid of the mold in my crawl space and clean my duct work which the estimate was 1800.00 but yet others I have spoke with was able to receive assistance thru Fema even though there insurance covered thier damages thru their household policies which my household polioy wouldnt’ cover that is the difference in ins. companies. Example: One couple I know insurance paid to put in a new furance because their old one was in the basement and was ruined in the flood and paid for central air which they didnt’ have before and replaced there floors which the water never even got in there house it was under there floors just like mine. Then they applied for Fema and received 9000.00 this is not right. I had to leave my home for 4 days because of the flood and evacuation but yet Fema doesnt’ care that my elderly mother who lives with me and myself have to breath this sewage backwater from the flood and have stuff come up through my register vents because water got inside of my duct work. They Fema suggested I get a loan for my damages. I have Fema knocking at my door asking me questions still even though I was denied for assistance. So I tell them to not waste my time or theirs because Fema turned me down and that I do not think you are all that reliable.So the Fema person’s that come to my house tell me to go uptown somewhere to talk to a representative which I havent’ because it would be the same I’m sure but I did decide that I would write you this letter. I was just as devasated as everyone else in this county during the flood and unfortunately some were effected more than others. I now know if another flood comes through here that Fema is one organization that some of us can not depend on. Sincerely, Jill Rudisill
Comment by Jill Rudisill — March 24, 2008
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I wrote a brief message about a couple that moved in across from me and after myself, Fema, Red Cross, and other instutions helped take care of this family, I find out that while living in Mississippi this couple moved up here due to being behind 3 months on rent. Of course, they left EVERYTHING THEY owned in the apartment except for personnel items. I found out through her mother that the apartments that they lived in had very little damage from the hurricane Katrina. They left this house here in Lawton, OK and went back to MS and left all the things in storage that was given to them by Fema and the others. Of course, the account became delinquit and they were 330.00 dollars behind and I called the storage building only to find out that the following Saturday the bin was going to be auctioned off. And it was. Thier names are John Blair and Tasha Standridge. You can call me at 580-442-5931 for more detailed information. If I must pay taxes to organizations as such I would like to see my money go to the good and needy. Thank you for reading my mail.
Comment by Lynn Stewart — July 13, 2008
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I applied for fema help for Hurricane Gustav. You send me the envelope for a loan. I don’t want a loan!! Instead of giving those dead heads help, you should be helping the people who work regularly. I evacuated, I had to pay for the gas, the hotel, the food, then returned home to a damaged home, which the insurance has me with a $7000 deductable. The damage is about $3000, which I have to come across, and to add to all of this the gas to run the generator for insulin. I didn’t get no stipend to pay for my hotel, but yet the people of New Orleans are griping that they should get fema to help pay their bills because they didn’t work!!!when they got a stipend for their hotel stay, and fema is paying for their traveling expense. Where is the justice?? I along with many others who are vitims of the storm (Lafourche and Terrebonne Parish) are getting the shaft. We have to pay for our departure and our lodging, then we have to pay out our own pockets for the damage to our homes and we all have loss of wages!! Who is getting this Federal Funds?? THE DEAD HEADS!!!!
Comment by Jimmy Savoie — September 10, 2008
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We have a mobile home in North Liberty, Iowa for sale. We have put a lot of work into it making it comfortable for some one in a need of a home. Is there someone we can contact to see if Fema would be interested in purchasing this home for a family. Please advise, thank you
Comment by Jean Marie Pajak — September 23, 2008
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My family is a victim of huurican ike. We live in bridge city and our house like many was a complete loss. I registered with fema, and was denied! We do have flood insurance but since we no longer have a home, we need a trailer on our property so we can rebuild. Are we being punished because we have flood insurance? I finally got fema on the phone and she told me you have to request rental assistance? I do not understand who is more deserving of a trailer? Is it someone else that does not have proper coverage, or the person that pays their premiums and does’nt have a place to live? Please enlightn me on this subject, I am very frusterated with the procedures, and it is nearly imposssible to get fema on the phone!!
Comment by carmen brumfield — September 29, 2008
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I applied for fema last week.They called me back in a few days which was nice.I was thankful for the vMy roof is about to cave in nice.I really really need help with my roof. Thats the reason i applied. I prayed for help.My roof is about to fall.Please i need help.I have no one to turn to So please could could you all consider us again. Thank you very much. Charlene Lucious
Comment by charlenelucious — October 21, 2008
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Dear Fema I’m asking for help again because they denied me. If i did’nt need the help i would have never applied.Thank you for coming out. The guy was very nice. I really really need help.Thats why i applied .So could you all please consider us again. I need help with my roof. Please consider again. Thank you very much. CharleneLucious.
Comment by charlenelucious — October 21, 2008
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IM A SINGLE MOM OF FOUR CHILDREN ONE WHO HAS ALREADY LEFT HOME. DURIING IKE, OUR HOUSE TRAILER SHIFTED OFF THE FOUDATION, BLOCKS WHICH CAME THROUGH THE BACK SIDE OF OUR HOME DESTROYING THE HOME FLOORS, AND BENT THE TRAILER FRAME. THE OUTSIDE WINDOW WAS TAKEN OUT BY A MEDIUM TREE, THE WASTE LINES AND WATER LINES WERE PULLED AWAY FROM OUR HOUSE CAUSING IT TO BECOME UNSANITARY.I TRIED TO FIX IT THE BEST I COULD, BUT AS A MOTHER, THAT WAS A LITTLE HARD TO DO. WHEN THE TRAILER FELL IT TOOK OUR H2O HEATER WITH IT THE MOBILE HOME GUYS CAME OUT AND CHARGED ME 2200.00 JUST TO AIR LIFT AND REBLOCK THAT IS NOT INCLUDING,PUTTING UP USED UNDERPINNING USED RIGHT BECAUSE I SPENT ALOT OF MONEY GETTING THE FLOORS RELEVELED.NEW WOOD FOR FLOOR, AND ALSO A NEW WATER HEATER WELL I AM UNABLE TO GET THE HEATER FIXED WITH ONLY MY INCOME.OR EVEN A NEW ONE.THE TREE THAT FELL I HAD TO PAY THEM 150.00 FOR REMOVING THE TREE. THE TREE TOPS ARE THE ONES
WE BURNT.I DO HEAT UP WATER FOR MY CHILDREN FOR NECESSITIES, YES I HAVE RECEIVED 795.00 WHICH I AM VERY THANKFUL BUT IT ONLY PAID FOR THE UNDERPINNING TO BE ORDERED AND REPLACED.IT WAS OVER 982.00 PLUS TAX.MY WHOLE FLOORS NEED REPAIRED AND I CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH.WITH KEEPIN THE BALANCE UP BETWEEN LOVE AND MONEY ALOT OF PEOPLE TAKE LIFE FOR GRANTED.I KNOW THERE ARE ALOT OF PEOPLE OUT THEIR THAT NEEDS HELP BEFORE ME BUT LIVING UP AND DOWN IN A TRAILER IS SO VERY HARD TO DO!PLEASE HELP ME AND MY KIDS GET BACK ON TRACK HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR EARS AND YOUR KINDNESS. JUANITA HUFF FEMA APP.#393189857 DISASTER #1795 ALSO I CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH ALL THE RECEIPTS YOU NEED TO HELP US OUT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PAITENCE, MY PHONE #IS 812-346-5650
Comment by juanita l.moore/huff — October 27, 2008
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I cannot get through to Human Resources.A gentleman by the name of Sid Garcia, who ownes Affordable Hurricane Protection, Inc. 16758 67th Court, Loxahatchee, Fl, states he is working for FEMA,and is in Galveston, Texas, putting tarps on roofs.His tel. # & home tel.# has been disconnected. He was to do work for me and a neighbor, and has our money. Work should have been done by Nov.1,08. No return calls from him any longer.I would just like to know if he is actually working for FEMA; and still in Texas?
I have tried all day to get through to FEMA to no avail. I have spoken to BBB, and it is a licensed businness. Any help you can render to me would be very much appreciated. Thank You
Comment by Paul Ponte — November 14, 2008
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How many years can you get for FEMA fraud?
Comment by kevin howard — December 9, 2008
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What a joke and farce FEMA assistsance is. My daughter was attending Texas A&M @Galveston and renting a house at the time of Hurricane Ike. She had to evacuate. She had to live with friends and classmates for two weeks as she had no other place to live. She applied for FEMA assistance at the recommendation of TAMUG. One of her roommates received $1400 for rental assistance, my daughter was denied after getting the run around for months, she was told that there was not sufficient damage to the residence to make it necessary for assistance. The house had six feet of water in it. The owner released them from their lease because the home was unlivable. UNBELIEVABLE, THAT ONE PERSON GETS ASSISTANCE AND ANOTHER IN THE SAME HOME AND SAME SITUATION GETS DENIED.
Comment by LISA SMITH — January 31, 2009
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I agree with Lisa Smith. My daughter was living with three other A&M Students at the UA apartments. They were unlivable after Hurricane Ike. The FEMA rep on site said that not having power, water or sewage did not make the apartments unlivable. When the students went back to get their personal property, everything was in ruin. The causeway to Pelican Island was unpassable for 5 weeks. The first floor apartments had water damage and mold was growing up the walls to the 3rd level. Two of the students in my daughter’s quad received $1400 each, but my daughter and one other student did not receive anyting from FEMA. These kids sat down and all filled out the same paperwork online. She kept being denied by FEMA telling her that her Social Security Number was not coming up as valid. My god, she has had that number since she was 10 days old. It worked for k-12, we used it on our tax returns and she also had a couple of part time jobs in high school and college that she had W2’s. She sent copies of the W2s to FEMA with copies of her drivers license, which in Texas requires a valid SS#. She has had her driver’s license since she was 16 and updated twice with her SS Card at TxDPS. Her application stated she lived at the Ua’s located on Seawolf Parkway, but the documents coming back from FEMA kept saying Seawall Pkwy and this was not a valid address. She had several emergency needs during the evacuation. Her medication for her migranes was damaged by rain and lost, and her eye glasses were damaged in the evacuation. All of her personal property was ruined. She lost her part time job at the Flight Museum. FEMA just flat out denied everything from living expenses to medical. I do not understand why some people living in other apartments or rental properties near my daughter’s apartment qualfied for assistance from FEMA on Galveston Island. FEMA just be fair to everyone needing assistance during this kind of a disaster.
Comment by Deborah Bissonnet — April 27, 2009
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My husband and I applied for FEMA assistance and were denied over and over. We rent our home (in Galveston) and ONLY applied for reimbursement on our lodging expenses. We evacuated as we were told to do and we came back as soon as we were told we could. We could not find a FEMA approved hotel room available within 100 miles. We returned to work as soon as possible therefore had to pay for temporary lodging. That is the only thing we ask help with and were denied. I am shocked that people in other hurricanes were issued gift cards, money, etc….no questions ask. I know people that didn’t even evacuate during hurricane Rita that recieved $1000.00 no questions asked. My husband and I evacuated for Rita but didn’t ask for any help because we didn’t feel like we should abuse the system. I guess with hurricane IKE had we stay 100 miles away in a FEMA approved hotel and not worked they would have paid for everything. I guess FEMA just does not help those who want to do the right thing. You can be assured that I will not evacuate again. I will take my chances and if I have to be rescued off my roof or if I die maybe FEMA can explain that to my family. We have NEVER applied for any assistance in our lives and the one time we needed a little help NOTHING.
Comment by Dori Stacy Saunders — April 28, 2009
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State Farm Used FEMA funds to pay for State Farm Obligations. My roof was inspected by 4 inspectors following Hurricane Katrina on Aug. 29th, 2009. all pronounced the roof as sound. Following a very strong thunderstorm in early December 2006, my neighbor Paul Dreibe noticed my roof shingles were broken and deposited on my back porch. I had an independent inspector followed by a State Farm inspector verified the damage to the roof. I suspect with all the people walking on the roof did not help the roof. However, if it was not for the heavy storms, the roof would have been ok. the estimate to correct the roof was over $16.000.00.
This switch of funds by State Farm Insurance cost me over $16,000.00 which had to be paid to St. Tammany Parish as part of a multiple flooding settlement. My ex Insurance, Ms Linda Collins, 3499 Pontchartrain Drive Suite 3, Slidell, LA 70458-4853 has blocked my communication with FEMA. She will not notify FEMA of my address change. I have notified my congressmen of the problem, but we have no resolution in sight. Since only the insurance agent can change the address I am out of luck.
I hope this is an isolated misuse of FEMA funds to the benefit of State Farm Insurance, but I believe it may be wide spread. David K Carpenter
Comment by David K Carpenter — April 28, 2009
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my name is debbie roye i live in ascension parish. i called fema they came out said my trailer was considered a total loss. i am a single mom of two kids. i had insurance on my trailer. the insurance paid off my trailer except for a 1000.00. which i was grateful for that. but i still had no home for me and my kids. fema denied me because my insurance paid my trailer. but what about help for me to pay for a place to live. i couldnt even get rental assistance nothing. i now have to pay 3 times what i was paying for my trailer because renting is not cheap and we are struggling so much that at times we dont even have enough money for groceries. now you tell me how fema can help people who have no insurance and even just rent their home. i lost everything i worked so hard for and couldnt get no damn help. i think it is sad that we hard working people that dont live off the state cant get help but people who sit on the asses all day got 10000.00 or more to help them. this is a damn shame. that is why the united states is in the situation its in. i am totally disgusted with fema and how they handled things.im struggling everyday just to make it . please help me anybody.
thanks,
debbie roye
Comment by debbie roye — May 5, 2009
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FEMA—I am a aggravated citizen and believe justice is not being served for all victims from natural disasters. I read a few letters from citizens that are still waiting for assistance and wondering WHY should that be???? I know of someone that was living in an apartment that should have been condemed. She would come to work talking about the floors from her closet caved in and she could see the neighbors from her closet, she said many a times the pipes busted and they had to tear up her floors and into her walls. Of course I would always ask why don’t you move and she said she had lived there 10+ years and she had so much stuff she didn’t know who would help her move…blah..blah…blah. Then hurricane Ike came through and deleivered from this apartment. She claimed all her stuff got ruined, she had no clothes & shoes….on and on…She got upset when Fema didn’t move fast enough. Well Fema put her up in a hotel and she complained about that because it wasn’t close for her so she stayed somewhere until they found her a temp place. She moved. In the meantime she took pictures of the disaster in her apartment and claimed everything to be a loss. After she submitted the paperwork and the process started she went back to claim/salvage her stuff. Well Fema set her up in a nice apartment and has paid her rent for 6 months. They also gave her vocuhers to get new living room furniture, new bedroom suite, all new kitchen stuff, new clothes and shoes, new flat screen t.v.’s and more. Oh yeah, paid her utilities and cable, new computer…etc. Oh wait, foodstamps also! Well she just went to re-apply for a year because she is claiming hardship. Today she informs me they are also paying to get her teeth done $3700 is her voucher for her teeth and they are also paying for glasses. She has never worn glasses but now she cannot see. PLEASE SOMEONE tell me how can she be getting all this from FEMA???? Before the hurrican came she paid her rent, bought her own food, paid her utilities, she bragged about her beautiful furniture she had and lived in an apartment she claimed was falling apart. Now she has all new stuff…salvaged her old stuff that FEMA thought was no good and gave her money to replace and is living in a nice apartment FEMA is paying for. Now mind you her employment status never changed. She still has the same job before the storm and after. How can she claim hardship now when she wasn’t having any before. IS FEMA REALLY LOOKING AT THE NEEDS OF THE RIGHT PEOPLE?
Comment by Aggravated Citizen — May 19, 2009
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Dear Fema, my house siding had serverly damaged by recent Hurricane IKE. When i filed a claim with my insurance, the adjustor came out to take photos of the house, i pointed out all areas damaged which included roof, skylight window, the front/back patios, the waterleak through fireplace, and as well as the siding, the adjuster said the siding damaged was due to lack of maintanience, only replace a few piece of siding. Now I could see all nails are coming out of the siding surrounding of my house, some of them are even dropped. Could someone help me how would I file a claim with the insurance company? PLease Help,,,,, Jasmin.
Comment by jasmintranly@yahoo.com — June 17, 2009
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To those without concern:
My wife and I were and are still victims of hurricane IKE. We applied for assistance but were denied! The reasons stated were I refused to relocate and that we were renters. First I could not relocate to Eagle Lake Texas where you told me I would have to go. My wife was critically ill in the hospital during the hurricane fighting for her life. To move some 80 miles away was ludicris! Second I am not a renter a fact that I shared with the FEMA representative by way of showing her the TITLE to my trailer! I appealed your decision only to find out you CLAIMED never to have received it! Why should I believe you? I mean its not like your organization is run efficiently. Never the less my wife and I are left with NOTHING! Thank you FEMA. I will be forwarding a copy of this letter to my congressmen. My wife’s brother was given aid by FEMA and did not have to move! My wife’s brother was offered a trailer to live in TWO times but declined because he did not need it. My wife’s brother was fully insured and still received aid from FEMA. My wife’s brother received aid from FEMA due to lost wages and I did not. My wife’s brother received compensation for ALL OF HIS LOSSES from FEMA and we didn’t get a thing! Finally to top it off my wife’s brother received compensation from his insurance as well. Here is a breakdown of the inequities:
1. We filed for help and were turned down.
He filed for help and received it.
2. I am a white man married to a white woman.
He is a white man married to a black woman.
The Katrina victims are STILL getting assistance in and I quote the Mayor of New Orleans “In the chocolate city”. That statement by him is PURLY RACISTS! But because he is black he gets a pass! I feel that not only am I the victim of Hurricane IKE but also the victim of REVERSE DISCRIMANATION! I know this letter if pointless, but I feel others should know that FEMA discrimanates!
Words from a tax payer
Brett Barrett
Comment by Brett Barrett — December 8, 2009
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