[Piledriver]

OK my fellow tax payers, you will love this one!

Given that my house has major damage to it from the storm surge, I like most filed my FEMA request for assistance. The rationale is based on the simple fact. All my damage was surge related and therefore will be covered by my flood insurance policy. No problem I have all the coverage I can get from the NFIP. But I knew I needed to file with FEMA as the NFIP does not cover displacement cost and it is estimated that I will be without my home for up to a year.

So on Sunday, the FEMA inspector met me at my home and his first words (and I quote) "Dude your house got trashed". As the inspection continued, he was very polite and did a complete job. He not only said the house wasnt liviable but most likely would max out the coverage and needed to be rebuilt. Ok I can deal with that. He tells me to look online as it will be about 2-3 days before FEMA gives me their offical ruling on my claim.

This monring/night I couldnt sleep and so got up figured I would check out FEMA and my status. Well you guessed it I was denied! They based this on the fact that I have FLOOD INSURANCE

Now what a perfect fricken circle this makes. So I figure I will call as I should get through. In fact I did get in right way and spoke with a FEMA rep. She pulled my file and yes my home was declared un-inhabitial but since I had insurance they wouldnt pay for any displacement costs. I asked her what the hell, as flood insurance doesnt cover that. She said she knew that, but since I have flood, I surely have homeowners insurance and that I need to file with them so that (and again I quote) "They can deny it and then send us that letter and we will cover your expenses"


Beautiful man just fricken Beautiful, So ultimately what this means is that since I have insurance I will have to wait a month or so to finally get FEMA assistance. But if I didnt have insurance they would send me a check immediately. Thank God I am responsible!

Anyways posting this as an alert to anyone else whom see this denial reason and hopefull save you the phone call.

Cheers
Pile

 

[Brassnadz]

Typical gov BS. Thats why I refuse to ask for or accept anything from FEMA. I work hard and take care of myself and mine. Dont you know that like most of us, the system isnt designed to be there for us? Thats not how it works. How it works is that we are supposed to be there for them via our hard earned tax dollars. My stupid @#% neighbor is still insisting that FEMA will be along any day now handing out debit cards. Of course this same guy has an obama sign in his front yard and is on the govt dole.

 

[capt. david]

pile something doesn't sound right since you can't live in the home. did you file with twia? if not you need too. also fema people at jb beach to assist you.

 

[Piledriver]

Yeah I know it didnt sound right but just some the red tape they make some people jump through. I know they will eventully kick in. I will be back down in JB on saturday to finally meet with the flood adjuster and will stop by city hall so I can speak with FEMA and hand them there stupid little piece of paper.

As for TWIA, I have no wind damage, didnt loose a single shingle, hence I have the name of a good roofer! as I replace it out of my own pocket after Rita.

 

[coachlaw]

And some people want the Federal Govt. to take over healthcare??????

Man, I'm sorry to hear all you're going through. My prayers are with all who lost so much.

 

[Piledriver]

Thanks Coach,

And there is noway I would ever want them taking over health care!

 

[JLand]

Talk to the people at The Landing in SeabrooK

It may be in El Lago but, I know two people who own condos there and the city will not let them back in. The city says because there is no water, electricity, or sewer they are uninhabitable. Plus, there is severe damage to at least one of the buildings.

My friends called FEMA and the inspector agreed they were uninhabitable, the next day they are informed that the powers that be in Washington say they are inhabitable even though the owners have a letter from the city stating they can not stay there. They appealed and had a meeting with representatives from FEMA and the city. The city maintains the condos are a danger and will not let the residents live there. FEMA denies the claim and tells the tennants they are on their own.

Of course, there are no minorities in the Landing. Go figure.

 

[badboy]

I don't understand it either Pile, seems like us honest and hard working people who goes to work everyday so we can provide for our family and buy all these insurance in case of something like IKE ends up getting s****ed. We are victims to, and what kind of example are the government telling people. Don't go out and buy insurance (just use that money your saving and blow on anything else but) and the government will help you. On the other hand if you go to work and choose to do the right thing by buying insurance, don't look our way because your on your own simply because you was stupid enough to go do the right thing and buy insurance.

 

[great white fisherman]

Hey, I had a boat in Venice La that I lost due to Katrana. My wife forgot to pay the insurance so it was a total loss. For IRS I carried it as a second home. I asked FEMA for some help when everyone else was getting $2,000. They would not help this middle class white man at all. So, I lost everything and at my age will never be able to replace or do again. People who where living in trailers down in VEnice that had one end of the roof already caved in and they where living in them they all got brand new trailers thanks to our tax dollars. N ow they set on there front porches of there brand new trailers and watch the working class go by every day!!!

 

[Gowdy2]

FEMA

Although I will not admit it in public, but I'm a PARR/FEMA disaster housing Inspector/fisherman. I just returned last week from the New Orleans area for Gustov.
The inspectors do not work for FEMA, we are sub-contracted by them.
The inspector he had operated different than most. The standard reply to the time frame question should of been "7-10 days by a letter in the mail" and not even mention the the abillity to look up the results on the computor.

The purpose of FEMA disaster assistance is to give help to those who are in a disaster state. It's not (this year) a freebee handout. The rules were corrected from the $2k gift card days. Look at like the goverment saving you tax payer's money.

Overall there was good, some bad, and some real ugly.
Not saying what's right or wrong.
Just remember the next FEMA guy may be a fisherman.

Fish Inspector

 

[sabine lake hustler]

i got friends that live in bridge city. they got denied. the only things we found loving in their houses were snakes. WoooHoooo FEMA!!! Go FEMA!!!

 

[Piledriver]

I have nothing against anyone working/subcontracting from FEMA. It is their policy that is totally screwed up. I mean they had inspectors walking door to door in the West University area, an area not hardly hit and very very weathly.

I just wish they would use common sense in their policy. I mean FEMA runs the NFIP so they know they do not cover displacement cost. Just up to 250K on the house and up too a 100K in content.

Yet you get this from them

Assistance Requested
Category Status Date Eligible Amount
Housing Assistance INS,INSFI - Ineligible 10/02/2008 N/A
Insured,Has
Flood Insurance

 

[EZ ED]

The inspector he had operated different than most. The standard reply to the time frame question should of been "7-10 days by a letter in the mail" and not even mention the the ability to look up the results on the computer.

The problem is most people don't ask the right questions or know how the game is played. Most people have a real job, the guys sitting on their front porch have a job too. It is to learn how to play the government game. They learn the game from each other & it is passed around.

That being said ask if they will cover your deductible.

I know this does not help with your problem right now but might help in the long run.

EZ

 

[Piledriver]

Well I guess I am luckily that I am at least 5 days ahead of the game! The ironic thing about this, is that after calling FEMA they fully admitted that they will end up paying for it, it is just a classic stall tactic as now I have to appeal their decission and wait up to 30 days for their response.

 

[EZ ED]

I must say that is not great but it is better than giving away our hard earned tax money to every tom, dick & harry.

EZ

 

[Piledriver]

well the flood adjuster came up today, had me answer a few questions and then looked at the house for all of about 15 minutes. Then turn and told me she needs to call in the engineer as is she is convinced the house is a loss. I just looked at her and said so I should be picking out house plans and she said "YES". So much for that livable house FEMA was telling me I had!