Tropical Storm Debby Federal Assistance

Tropical Storm Debby brought heavy rains and considerable flooding to the northern region of our district from August 9 -10, 2024. On September 11, 2024, a Disaster Declaration was officially issued for Pennsylvania, making federal funding available to affected individuals in Lycoming, Potter, Tioga, and Union counties. Affected residents have until November 12, 2024, to apply for assistance.

FEMA Assistance

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) may be able to help you pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other needs caused by the disaster, including:

• Essential items including water, food, first aid, prescriptions, infant formula, breastfeeding supplies, diapers, medical supplies and equipment, personal hygiene items and fuel for transportation
• Rental assistance if you are displaced as a result of the disaster, including financial assistance for the following: hotel stays, stays with family and friends, or other options while you look for a rental unit
• Repair or replacement of a vehicle, appliances, room furnishings, personal or family computer, books, uniforms, tools, computers and other items required for school or work, including self-employment
• Moving and storage fees, medical expenses, childcare and funeral expenses

If you have insurance that may cover any damages, you should file a claim as soon as possible. FEMA will not pay for losses your insurance will cover.

How to Apply:

1. Visit DisasterAssistance.gov.
2. Download the FEMA App.
3. Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.
   • Calls are accepted from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern Time. Help is available in most languages; if you use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS) or captioned telephone service, please provide FEMA your number for that service.
4. Visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) where you can get in-person help applying for federal assistance, update your application, and learn about other resources available. All DRC locations are open from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. These locations are as follows:
   • Tioga County
     • Valley Christian Church, 146 Maple Street Westfield, PA 16950

What to expect after applying for FEMA Assistance:

• Track Application
  • To check the status of your application, you can create an online account at DisasterAssistance.gov. Click on "Check Status” to create an account. You will need the email address you registered with.
  • Track your application through the FEMA app.
  • Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.
  • Visit a Disaster Recovery Center.
• Preparing for an Inspection
  • After you apply for disaster assistance, FEMA will verify your disaster-caused damage through an inspection. Within 10 days of submitting an application, FEMA staff and inspectors may call from an unknown or restricted phone number and make several attempts to discuss your disaster-caused damage.
• Understanding and Responding to your FEMA letter
  • Once FEMA has reviewed your application, the results of the inspection, and/or the documentation you have submitted, you will receive a FEMA letter. The letter will be sent to you by mail or through your online account based on what you selected when you completed your application.
  • Please read your FEMA letter carefully. The letter will explain:
    • whether you are approved for assistance
    • how much assistance you will receive
    • how the assistance must be used
    • how to appeal FEMA’s decision if you do not agree with it
  • If you disagree with FEMA’s decision, you may appeal. Your appeal must be submitted within 60 days of the date of the decision letter.
  • The letter sent from FEMA will provide additional details on the types of documents or information that you will need to provide if you choose to appeal FEMA’s decision. If you have any questions about your FEMA letter, we encourage you to visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) where FEMA staff can help clarify the message and advise you on next steps.
  • The documents apply specifically to the decision made. For example, if you are appealing for assistance to repair your home, you will want to provide FEMA with any receipts, bills or repair estimates received for the repairs needed.

How to Appeal a Decision from FEMA

• If you receive a letter from FEMA saying you are not eligible for federal assistance or that your application is incomplete, you have 60 days from the date of that letter to submit the missing documentation or to appeal FEMA’s decision. 
• Read the letter carefully. It will provide additional information on what your next steps will be. For example, you may need to submit insurance documents or receipts. You may need to confirm your identity or provide proof of residency. Or it may be something as simple as a missing signature.
• If you disagree with FEMA’s decision, you may appeal. An appeal is a request to FEMA to review your file again. It is also an opportunity to provide new or additional information not previously submitted that may affect the decision. You may appeal any decision by FEMA regarding your application for Individual Assistance, such as your initial eligibility decision, the amount or type of assistance provided to you, late applications, requests to return money, or a denial of continued Temporary Housing Assistance.
• An appeal should be an explanation of why you disagree with the decision. Be sure to include the following:

  • Applicant’s full name, current address and damaged dwelling address.

  • Applicant’s 9-digit FEMA registration number, found at the top of the determination letter (on every page)

  • The last four digits of the applicant’s Social Security number (on every page)

  • FEMA disaster declaration number, DR-4815-PA (on every page)

• You can submit your appeal documents online, in person, by mail or by fax.

  • Online: If you set up an online account, appeals can be managed through this account. Visit DisasterAssistance.gov, log into your account and to upload all supporting documents using the Correspondence "Upload Center."

  • In person: You can take your appeal documentation to a Disaster Recovery Center.

  • By mail: Mail appeal documents to

    • FEMA - Individuals & Households Program National Processing Service Center, P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055

  • By fax: Fax appeal documents to

    • (800) 827-8112, Attention: FEMA - Individuals & Households Program

• All appeals are reviewed. Decisions are usually made within 30 days of receiving the appeal; however, it may take up to 90 days. You will be notified of the response to your appeal either by mail or via the DisasterAssistance.gov account you created when you applied with FEMA.

SBA Assistance

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) can assist businesses with losses due to the Tropical Storm Debby. Residents affected are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA.

• The deadline for Physical Damage filing is November 12, 2024.
• The deadline for Economic Injury filing is June 11, 2025.

How to apply:

• To apply for a loan or for more information, please visit: www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance.
• Call the SBA Helpline at 800-659-2955.
• SBA has opened a Business Recovery Center (BRC) in Tioga County for in-person assistance. The BRC is located at the Westfield Community Building, 429 E. Main St., Westfield, PA 16950.
• Individuals needing SBA assistance can also visit a FEMA DRC for in-person help applying for disaster recovery,
  • Tioga County
    • Valley Christian Church, 146 Maple Street Westfield, PA 16950