Don't Let Misconceptions Halt Your FEMA Registration
NASHVILLE – As the Aug. 5, 2010, deadline approaches for applying for disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), misunderstandings about available assistance and its effect on other federal assistance and state benefits may be costly for those still needing to apply.
"Time is running out and anyone who had damages from this disaster and hasn't applied should call to register before the deadline," said James H. Bassham, State Coordinating Officer of the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA). "You can't receive assistance without registering. To do so, survivors should call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362)."
FEMA assistance does not count against or affect several federal and state programs. There is also help from the State of Tennessee in the form of sales tax rebates. Those rebates can be beneficial to some disaster survivors.
"Tennesseans are on the road to recovery after record flooding," said Gracia Szczech, FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer. "The recovery may generate questions about FEMA grants and their possible effect on other benefits. We want people to have the right information."
Nearly 654,000 Tennesseans living in the 46 counties designated for Individual Assistance collect Social Security, but they should not be concerned that registering for federal aid will affect those payments.
"Disaster recovery grants provided to individuals and families have no impact on your Social Security or Supplemental Security income benefits," said Barbara Grissom, Social Security Administration District Manager in Nashville.
Other programs generally unaffected by FEMA grants are:
• Medicare;
• Food stamps; and,
• Tennessee's Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF).
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Publication 547 instructs taxpayers how to record FEMA grants. The IRS also has valuable information that may be helpful to those affected by the recent flooding. If tax records were destroyed, IRS may provide copies or transcripts of previously filed taxes, free of charge. Survivors should submit Form 4506 – Request for Copy of Tax Return, or Form 4506-T – Request for Transcript of Tax Return. The top of the forms should be marked in red with "Tennessee/Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds and Tornadoes." Visit www.IRS.gov for more information.
Tennessee's sales tax refund may also provide some relief. Survivors who must replace damaged or destroyed items or restore residences may be eligible for a sales tax rebate on specific items. Eligible items include major appliances, residential furniture with a purchase price of $3,200 or less, and building supplies with a purchase price of $500 or less. These purchases must be used to restore the individual's primary residence to be eligible.
Qualified individuals receiving disaster assistance from FEMA as a result of the spring storms and flooding may request a refund of Tennessee sales tax paid on eligible items purchased between May 1, 2010 and September 30, 2010.
"The Department of Revenue is pleased that we can play a small role in responding to the needs of Tennesseans impacted by this tragedy," said Revenue Commissioner Reagan Farr.
Any individual submitting a refund claim will be asked to provide documentation verifying the assistance they received from FEMA. Detailed information on claiming a refund and a copy of Natural Disaster Claim for Refund Form are available at www.TN.gov/revenue.
All are reminded that they can register for FEMA assistance by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7565. Application for assistance can also be made by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. The deadline for registering is Aug. 5, 2010.
Follow the recovery in Tennessee online at http://twitter.com/t_e_m_a, http://twitter.com/fema, http://www.facebook.com/TNDisasterInfo, www.youtube.com/fema and http://www.flickr.com/photos/t_e_m_a.
The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA and TEMA do not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.
FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.