##### General Questions:

1\. What kind of help is available to residents whose homes have been
damaged in the flooding?

In answering this question, it is not to attempt to describe all
disaster assistance programs in detail (remember, 10 to 15 seconds).
Instead, the response should inform the interviewer that several
assistance programs are offered by FEMA as well as other organizations.
Then the interviewee should mention a few. If the interviewee mentions
assistance such as SBA loans, it is critical that the description makes
it clear this is an SBA program. The interviewee should instruct viewers
to call the teleregistration number or helpline (provide the telephone
numbers).

Sample Soundbite:

"Several programs are offered by FEMA, the State, and other
organizations. These include temporary housing grants, disaster
unemployment assistance, Individual and Family Grants, and Small
Business Administration loans."

2\. Who is eligible for assistance?

Again, the interviewee should not try to give a comprehensive list of
people who may be eligible for different programs. The interviewee
should explain, however, that anyone who has suffered damage to property
or loss of income may apply for assistance. The interviewee should point
out that there are many different programs available to assist with
people's needs, and that each of these programs has different
eligibility requirements. The interviewee should inform anyone who needs
assistance to call the teleregistration number or the helpline, or visit
one of the application centers.

Sample Soundbite:

"Anyone who has suffered damage to property or loss of income may apply
for assistance. FEMA encourages them to register by calling
1-800-462-9029."

General Questions: **(Continued)**

3\. How does someone apply for assistance?

Call the teleregistration number.

Sample Soundbite:

"The quickest and easiest way to apply for assistance is to call FEMA at
1-800-462-9029, and for the hearing impaired 1-800-462-7585."

4\. What is FEMA's policy on reimbursing the State for expenses?

The student should not answer this question.

Sample Soundbite:

"I'm sorry I can't address that issue now, but I can get back to you."

5\. Congress is looking into FEMA's budget. How will this affect FEMA's
delivery of assistance?

The student should not answer this question.

Sample Soundbite:

I'm sorry I don't have that information, but I'll get back in touch with
you."

6\. Congress is proposing drastic cuts in Federal spending. What is
FEMA's position on the budget?

The student should not answer this question.

Sample Soundbite:

I'm sorry I don't have that information, but I'll get back in touch with
you."

Human Services Questions:

1\. Is any assistance available for renters?

Yes. Renters who are unable to return to their homes should call the
teleregistration number to apply for assistance.

Sample Soundbite:

"Yes there is. Renters who are unable to return to their homes should
call FEMA at 1-800-462-9029."

2\. Do disaster victims need to take an income test to determine if they
are allowed to apply for assistance?

No, disaster assistance is for everyone. It is true that on the FEMA
application, people are asked to specify their family income. This is an
initial screening for the SBA. No matter what, some families just will
not qualify for a loan. Also, it is important that we don't duplicate
benefits. So if insurance or a loan meets a need, grants would not be
provided.

Sample Soundbite:

"No. Disaster assistance is for anyone who has been affected by the
disaster."

3\. How soon could a homeowner expect to receive money?

If the Interviewee has researched this question properly, he or she has
learned from the Federal Coordinating Officer that it is okay to give an
estimate of 7-10 days.

If they do not provide this estimate, assess how well they handle a
question for which they do not know the answer. Hopefully, they will not
make up their own estimate.

Sample Soundbite:

"Each individual is different, but on average a person may receive help
within 7 to 10 days following an inspection."

Human Services Questions: **(Continued)**

4\. We've heard a number of complaints that the teleregistration number
is always busy. Is FEMA having trouble handling the calls, and do you
have any advice for people who are trying to get through?

Evening is the best time to call the teleregistration number. Avoid peak
hours of 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Sample Soundbite:

"No. There are no problems, but we do encourage people to call in the
evenings and avoid peak hours during the morning."

5\. How soon could a homeowner expect to receive money?

If the Interviewee has researched this question properly, he or she has
learned from the Federal Coordinating Officer that it is okay to give an
estimate of 7-10 days.

If they do not provide this estimate, assess how well they handle a
question for which they do not know the answer. Hopefully, they will not
make up their own estimate.

Sample Soundbite:

"Each individual is different, but on average a person may receive help
within 7 to 10 days following inspection."

6\. I have heard that SBA will give loans to homeowners as well. Who can
get them?

Homeowners and renters, as well as business owners may be eligible for
low-interest disaster loans for the repair or replacement of disaster
damaged real estate or personal property that is not covered by
insurance.

Sample Soundbite:

"Homeowners and renters as well as businesses may be eligible, including
self-employed people."

Flood Insurance Questions:

1\. How does someone get flood insurance?

Flood insurance is offered only through the National Flood Insurance
Program. It can be purchased directly or written by the same insurance
agents that write property loss insurance.

Sample Soundbite:

"You can buy flood insurance from your regular insurance agent or you
can get it directly from the National Flood Insurance Program."

2\. If Federal disaster assistance pays for losses, what is the point of
getting flood insurance?

There are several advantages for the policyholder:

-   *The amount of disaster aid is limited by regulation. Flood
    insurance policies can cover more types of personal property and can
    be of higher value than disaster aid limits.*

-   *Disaster assistance is not available on every flood event; only
    those that are declared Federal disasters.*

-   *Unlike a disaster loan, flood insurance payments do not have to be
    repaid.*

-   *Emotional security.*

Sample Soundbite:

"Disaster aid is only available during Presidentially declared
disasters. It is limited and often in the form of a loan that must be
repaid. Flood insurance claims are paid whether there is a disaster or
not."

Flood Insurance Questions: **(Continued)**

3\. What kinds of flood insurance coverage are available?

Homeowners, renters, and business owners are eligible to apply for flood
insurance. Homeowners may purchase coverage for structure, contents,
and/or home businesses. Renters may purchase coverage for contents.
Business owners may purchase coverage for structure and/or contents.

Sample Soundbite:

"Policies may be purchased to cover personal property and contents,
business property and contents, and home businesses. Both owners and
renters are eligible to buy coverage."

4\. How expensive is flood insurance? What are the average premiums?

Flood insurance rates are very affordable when you compare them to the
cost of rebuilding a home. Rates vary depending upon the likelihood of
flooding in that location.

Sample Soundbite:

"Flood insurance is a tremendous bargain. When you think of the cost of
rebuilding a flooded home, or the years of loan payments \... flood
insurance is definitely a smart decision."

5\. Are people who have flood insurance eligible for help from FEMA as
well?

Possibly. Apply for disaster assistance because Federal and State
disaster assistance programs may be able to help with costs not covered
by flood or homeowners insurance.

Sample Soundbite:

"Possibly. Disaster assistance programs may help with costs not covered
by insurance or if a person is underinsured."

Mitigation Questions:

1\. Who can get HMGP funds?

These entities are eligible to apply to the State for Hazard Mitigation
Grant Program funding: State and local governments, Private non-profit
organizations or institutions, Native American Tribes and Alaskan Native
Villages.

Sample Soundbite:

"State and local governments, private non-profits, and Native American
Tribes are eligible to apply for grant funds."

2\. How much assistance is available through the HMGP?

The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program may provide a State with up to15
percent of the total disaster grants awarded by FEMA after a major
disaster declaration (not including administrative costs). These grants
may fund up to 75 percent of eligible mitigation measures. The State or
local government provides the remaining 25 percent cost-share from
non-Federal sources.

Sample Soundbite:

"The HMGP award can equal up to 15 percent of the total grants awarded
after a major disaster."

3\. If approved, when will Ryan County get its grant?

Grants are awarded by FEMA to the State. The State then disperses the
funds to sub-grantees. A managing State that has a viable Administrative
Plan and a current Hazard Mitigation Plan, reviewed within the previous
12 months, may receive the grant award prior to the completion of
project applications.

Sample Soundbite:

"As the State disperses the money to counties, you may want to ask the
State Hazard Mitigation Officer. But, most funds are working within 18
months."

Mitigation Questions: **(Continued)**

4\. What kinds of projects might be eligible for HMGP funds?

Some types of eligible projects include:

-   Acquisition of hazard-prone property and conversion to open space;

-   Retrofitting existing buildings;

-   Vegetative Management/soil stabilization;

-   Infrastructure protection measures;

-   Stormwater management;

-   Minor structural flood control projects; and

-   State management costs.

Sample Soundbite:

"Projects may be of any nature that will result in protection to public
or private property. Examples include acquiring hazard-prone properties
and retrofitting existing buildings."

5\. What are the minimum eligibility criteria for HMGP projects?

There are five minimum criteria that all projects must meet to in order
to be considered for funding:

-   Conforms with State Hazard Mitigation Plan.

-   Provides beneficial impact upon disaster area.

-   Conforms with environmental regulations.

-   Solves a problem independently or constitutes a functional portion
    of a solution.

-   Demonstrates cost-effectiveness.

Sample Soundbite:

"Primarily, a project should be a cost-effective mitigating measure that
is consistent with the State's overall hazard mitigation strategy and
does not adversely affect the environment."

Public Assistance Questions:

1\. What is the Public Assistance program?

Public Assistance is Federal financial assistance provided to State and
local governments or to eligible private non-profit organizations for
work that must be done, through repairs or replacement, to restore an
eligible facility on the basis of its pre-disaster design and in
conformity with current applicable codes, specifications, and standards.

Sample Soundbite:

"The Public Assistance program reimburses governments and eligible
non-profits for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and the
repair of disaster-damaged infrastructure---like roads and bridges."

2\. Does FEMA require that public structures be rebuilt to be less prone
to future disasters?

FEMA supports rebuilding public structures to current local and State
building codes. This often results in buildings that are less prone to
future damage.

Sample Soundbite:

"FEMA Director, James Lee Witt, has made reducing future damage the
focal point of the agency. Building less vulnerable structures in safer
areas is the primary way to reduce disaster costs and damage."

3\. What portion of PA projects is funded by FEMA?

Typically, FEMA funds XXX percent. The remaining XXX percent is paid by
the State and/or local government. The Federal share may be increased at
Presidential discretion.

Sample Soundbite:

"Generally, FEMA pays XXX percent."

Public Assistance Questions: **(Continued)**

4\. Does the PA program allow improvements to damaged facilities?

Section 409 of the Stafford Act authorizes repair of facilities to
applicable codes and standards. It also requires State and local
governments to prepare and implement hazard mitigation plans. In these
plans, State and local governments evaluate the natural hazards in the
designated disaster area and identify appropriate actions to mitigate
such hazards. This hazard mitigation planning is both required under
Section 409 and a prerequisite for eligibility for Section 404 funds.

Sample Soundbite:

"Repairs may include improvements if those measures bring the facility
up to current codes and standards."

5\. How are Public Assistance projects identified?

The State identifies potential applicants in all declared counties.
Joint FEMA-State briefings are scheduled to provide information about
the scope of the Public Assistance program. Damage inspection teams
verify and assess damage. Applications are reviewed for eligibility.

Sample Soundbite:

"Eligible governments and private, non-profit organizations submit
applications based upon a briefing packet provided at joint FEMA-State
meetings."

6\. What criteria determine the eligibility of a private non-profit
organization?

The organization must present the Federal IRS tax exemption or State
certification of tax-exempt status from the State attorney general or
Secretary of the affected State. Facilities belonging to an eligible
organization may or may not be eligible depending upon the services
provided there. Eligible facilities include: educational facilities;
utilities; emergency; medical; custodial care; and those providing
essential services of a governmental nature to the general public (i.e.,
zoo, library, homeless shelter, community center).

Sample Soundbite:

"Organizations that have tax-exempt status are usually eligible."