California Rep. Judy Chu Calls on FEMA to Revamp Disaster Assistance Claims Process
The lawmaker reports that she has been hearing from several of her constituents regarding their ‘frustrations’ with FEMA during the ongoing fire crisis.
Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.) is calling on FEMA to reconsider their approach to disaster assistance claims, following feedback from residents in Southern California whose claims were denied due to insufficient insurance information.
Last week, President Joe Biden sanctioned a federal major disaster declaration for California, which enables FEMA to allocate federal funding for emergency response expenses.
The White House indicated that this assistance could encompass grants for temporary housing, home repairs, and low-interest loans to compensate for uninsured property losses related to the disaster.
Chu emphasized that FEMA possesses ample resources to assist her constituents affected by the recent wildfires.
The legislator pointed out that applicants might lack complete insurance details when submitting a claim, potentially leading to rejections of their claims.
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Chu pointed out that numerous residents in California had to evacuate their homes, resulting in the loss of crucial documents during the fires. She recommended that they either contact FEMA directly or stop by the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center, which opened on January 14 at Pasadena City College Community Education Center, to check on their application status.
When asked why FEMA is rejecting claims due to insufficient information, Chu responded, “I think there’s a tendency to assume that it’s better to issue a denial proactively rather than label it as pending.”
“I am actively encouraging them to modify this approach,” Chu stated.
The legislator mentioned that she raised this concern during a phone conversation with the FEMA administrator on Monday night.
FEMA Advises Applicants to Verify Claims
Survivors of the Los Angeles County wildfires who have received letters indicating they have not been approved for assistance may not necessarily be denied support, as indicated in a January 14 FEMA statement.
“It could simply imply that FEMA cannot approve your application with the current information provided,” the agency noted. “FEMA might require the final determination of your insurance before proceeding with your application to ensure you’re not receiving aid for the same damage twice.”
Other possibly missing documents could include evidence of insurance coverage, resolution of insurance claims or a rejection letter from an insurance company, proof of identity and residence or ownership, and confirmation that the property affected was the applicant’s primary residence at the time of the disaster.
Rep. Judy Chu at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on August 19, 2024. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
FEMA also cautioned applicants to be vigilant about typographical errors or missing numbers in their applications, which could cause delays or result in an initial “not approved” determination letter.
Thousands of homes have been lost in the disaster, which began on January 7 when fires erupted across Los Angeles and continued to spread, exacerbated by extreme drought conditions, low humidity, and strong winds.
The cause of the fires is still under investigation as firefighters tirelessly strive to contain the flames.
The Hurst Fire in the Sylmar area has burned through 799 acres and is 97 percent contained, and the Auto Fire in Ventura County has charred 61 acres and is 47 percent contained.
The Epoch Times has reached out to FEMA for further comment.
