January 30, 1995 - "People Helping People" - Issue #1044-2

Help for Flood Victims is Just A Phone Call Away

OES Photos by Terry Thornton After flood victims in California apply for disaster assistance by Teleregistration, Debra Cervantes-Gonzalez and Sandra Chu help people who call the Helpline for further assistance.

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To apply for federal/state disaster assistance, call 1-800-462-9029 (TDD: 1-800-462-7585) between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.

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In This Edition

• Teleregistration: The First Step Toward Recovery
• Outreach: Disaster Help Is At Your Door
• Rebuilding Better
• SBA Opens Loan Offices
• Grants and Loans
• Health Notes
• Recovery Roundup
• Important Phone Numbers
• When To Report More Damage

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Assistance To Disaster Victims As Of January 30

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Flooded Out?

Group Makes Housing Search Easier For You

The California Rental Housing Association is implementing a program to help Sacramento area flood victims obtain decent and affordable housing, Bill Berdan, president of the Sacramento Valley Apartment Association, said.

The service lists those companies, owners and properties offering special assistance, all of which have agreed to adhere to a specific set of rental guidelines.

Among other things, the rental agreement will contain a clause that the rent will not be raised for at least six months and that the owner/manager will allow for short term tenancy and not insist on a minimum length of tenancy.

Sacramento area individuals can call (916) 920-1120 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. After hours messages will be returned as quickly as possible. Victims in other areas can call the California Apartment Association at 916-447-7881 to learn of programs in their area.

Rental property owners and managers who would like to list their properties in Sacramento, Yolo, Yuba and Placer counties with the Emergency Referral Service should call the SVAA offices at (916) 920-1120 or 1-800-582-SVAA.

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Flood Insurance

Protect your property. Call the National Flood Insurance Program
1-800-638-6620 (TDD: 1-800-447-9487)

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Franchise Tax Offers Fast Cash

Tax relief for California’s flood victims has been provided by the California Franchise Tax Board.
Mailing of tax bills and notices was halted to disaster areas so people who experienced hardships from storms and flooding could be notified to contact the Franchise Tax Board: 1-800-852-5711 (TDD: 1-800-822-6268) and explain their situations.

State tax officials said casualty losses for flood victims may be declared on 1994 tax returns even though the losses occurred in 1995. Make note of your situation by writing "Winter Storm-1995" in red ink across the top of your tax return and the outside of the mailing envelope.

If you are eligible for a refund and need money fast, have a professional tax preparer file your return electronically and you should receive a check within seven days, Franchise Tax Board officials said.
If you need copies of tax returns for previous years for purposes of organizing your 1994 tax return, you may request copies at no cost to you. The Franchise Tax Board is waiving the usual fee for copies of old returns for flood victims.

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Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability or economic status. Anyone who believes he or she has been discriminated against should contact the Federal Coordinating Officer or the State Coordinating Officer immediately.
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Free Phone Services to Flood Victims

Pacific Bell is offering free voice mail and call forwarding to flood victims in northern and central California who have lost telephone service at their homes and businesses.
In addition, the company is offering free installation of phone service at a temporary location for customers who have been displaced from their homes due to flood damage.

The Message Center, Pacific Bell Voice Mail, and Call Forwarding are offered free of charge for up to three months to flood victims who contact Pacific Bell by February 13.

“We want to do our best to help people stay connected with their families, their communities and support groups,” Tom Cross, Vice President and General Manager of Pacific Bell’s North Area Business Unit said.

Cross added that customers are assured they will receive service through their regular telephone number.

For more information or to order free services, eligible customers should call 1-800-834-7900 (residence) or 1-800-794-4177 (business). For the Message Center and Pacific Bell Voice Mail, all custormers may call one number: 1-800-613-5663.

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Fraud Hotline

If you know about waste, abuse or fraud involving flood disaster assistance, please report it by calling the FEMA Office of the Inspector General 1-800-323-8603.

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Recovery Times is published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Governor's Office of Emergency Services with help from other federal agencies and departments. This publication is produced in cooperation with federal, state and local government agencies and volunteer organizations to provide timely and accurate information about disaster recovery programs for victims of the California floods. Comments and inquiries may be directed to the Recovery Times at the FEMA/OES Disaster Field Office at 1-916-364-2142.
David Skarosi, Federal Coordinating Officer
Dr. Richard Andrews, State Coordinating Officer

FEMA Office of Emergency Information andf Public Affairs
Morrie Goodman, Director
Phil Cogan, Deputy Director

OES Office of Information and Public Affairs
Tom Mullins, Director
Kati Corsaut, Lead Public Information Officer

Recovery Times
Michael Raphael, Managing Editor

Recovery Times Online is produced at the Disaster Field Office, Sacramento, California. Recovery Times Online
Art Botterell, Managing Editor
David Fowler, Associate Editor