Hurricane Katrina: Legal Issues - Columbus School of Law

Deed or Official record may be the original deed or deed of trust to the property listing you as the legal owner.
Title number which lists you on the actual escrow or title document for the purchase of the dwelling.
Mortgage payment book or other mortgage documents (i.e. late payment notice, foreclosure notice) may be
used to verify the ownership when your name is listed along with the damaged dwelling address.
Real property insurance must be for the damaged dwelling the applicant is occupying with his or her name
listed as the Insured.
Tax receipts or a property tax bill showing the damaged dwelling and listing the applicant as the responsible
party to the assessments.
What type of occupancy documentation can the applicant provide to support his or her application for help?
Below are a few types of documents that may be provided to prove occupancy:
Utility Bill for the dwelling the applicant is occupying with his or her name (or name of co-applicant). The
utility bill should be for one of the major utilities, such as electricity, gas, or water.
Merchant's Statement sent to the damaged dwelling the applicant is occupying with his or her name (or name
of co-applicant). Merchant statements include: credit card bills, delivery notices, or other first class mail
addressed to the applicant and showing the damaged dwelling address.
Employer's Statement sent to the damaged dwelling the applicant is occupying with his or her name (or name
of co-applicant). An employer's statement refers to pay stubs and similar documents sent to the applicant and
showing the damaged dwelling address.
Current Driver's License showing the address of the damage dwelling.
To receive money for repair or help with housing needs do I first need to file a claim under any insurance
policy I may have?
Yes. In order to receive money or help with housing needs you must have filed for insurance benefits (if you have
insurance) and the damage to your property must not be covered by insurance.
What if the insurance settlement under my policy is insufficient to meet my disaster - related damage or need?
An eligible applicant will need to write a letter to FEMA indicating the amount of the unmet need. The applicant will
need to present adequate documentation from his or her insurance company for FEMA’s review.
DEADLINES FOR APPLICATIONS
Yes, there will be important application deadlines that you must meet (unless specifically extended by FEMA), each
of which is calculated from the date of the disaster declaration. The standard deadline for registration for individual
disaster assistance is within 60 days following the date the President declares the disaster. If the standard deadline is
applied, the following would be the deadlines for individual assistance:
Date of Disaster Declaration Standard Registration Deadline
Florida August 28, 2005 October 28, 2005
Louisiana August 27, 2005 October 27, 2005
Mississippi August 28, 2005 October 28, 2005
Alabama August 29, 2005 October 29, 2005
Can FEMA extend the registration deadline?