Resources

Fact Sheet: What is FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program?

This FEMA fact sheet describes the types of services available under FEMA’s , which include housing assistance and other needs assistance. The IHP program provides financial help or direct services to disaster survivors who have necessary expenses and serious needs but are unable to meet these needs through other means.   Fact Sheet: What is FEMA’s… Read more

Don’t Disqualify Yourself By Not Registering For FEMA Assistance

If you choose not to register with FEMA, you disqualify yourself from receiving federal disaster assistance. Potential FEMA applicants should read through this informational article from FEMA, which outlines the reasons why homeowners should register with FEMA assistance even if they think their damages and losses won’t be covered.   Don’t Disqualify Yourself By Not… Read more

Tips for Understanding FEMA Individual Assistance Funding

  FEMA provides funding to individuals and households following a major disaster in the form of housing assistance and funding for other disaster-caused expenses. Receiving these funds can help you recover following a disaster. However, it is important to understand how the program works. First, review eligibility requirements. To be eligible for funds, all of… Read more

Tips for Construction Contractors: Working with CDBG-DR Homeowner Applicants

  Unlike typical construction projects, performing disaster recovery work under HUD’s Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program comes with scope of work, time and funding constraints in order to maintain program compliance. Be sure you and your subcontractors have a clear understanding of CDBG-DR program requirements prior to communicating with homeowner applicants or… Read more

Tips: Managing the Appeals Process

  Homeowner appeals during the recovery process are inevitable and time-consuming, they should be a last resort for applicants. IBTS has processed close to 2,500 homes for programs receiving funding from the the HUD’s Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program, and been able to mitigate nearly all homeowner appeals — saving the locality and the applicant valuable… Read more

Experiences Gained: Using FEMA’s Debris Removal Alternative Procedures

  Without a comprehensive debris management plan, the debris removal process can escalate into one of the most difficult and expensive response tasks after a natural disaster. To reduce costs and accelerate the process, FEMA introduced debris removal alternative procedures. Yet despite cost benefits and incentives for quicker debris removal, few localities have taken advantage… Read more

Experiences Gained: Using FEMA’s Debris Removal Alternative Procedures

  Without a comprehensive debris management plan, the debris removal process can escalate into one of the most difficult and expensive response tasks after a natural disaster. The first step in a long road to recovery, a quick debris removal can set the tone for the entire recovery process and build the community’s confidence in… Read more

Experiences Gained: Using FEMA’s Debris Removal Alternative Procedures

  Without a comprehensive debris management plan, the debris removal process can escalate into one of the most difficult and expensive response tasks after a natural disaster. To reduce costs and accelerate the process, FEMA introduced debris removal alternative procedures. Yet despite cost benefits and incentives for quicker debris removal, few localities have taken advantage… Read more

Tips for Project Managers: Be Prepared for Homeowner Applicant Appeals

  Homeowner appeals during the recovery process are inevitable, but project managers can take preventative measures and work with case managers to reduce the number of applicant appeals — saving the applicant, project manager and agency administrating the program a significant amount of time and stress. IBTS has processed close to 2,500 homes for programs receiving… Read more

Tips for Case Managers: Managing the Applicant Appeals Process

  Although homeowner appeals during the recovery process are inevitable, case managers can take preventative measures to prevent applicants from taking their appeals to grantee. This can save applicants, case managers and program administrators time and hassle. IBTS has processed close to 2,500 homes for programs receiving funding from the the ’s  program, and been… Read more