The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Local News

October 14, 2012

Deadline to report derecho damage announced

The deadline for Greenbrier County residents to report losses or damage suffered due to the derecho of June 29 is mid-October, according to the Greenbrier County Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency.

Although there is no guarantee that residents will be reimbursed for their losses, GCHSEM is still encouraging people to telephone the Federal Emergency Management Agency at 800-621-3362 to report damages, which may support the state’s bid for additional aid. Damages may also be reported online at www.disasterassistance.gov.

Currently, only Fayette, Nicholas, Raleigh and Kanawha counties have been approved for individual assistance.

According to Paula Brown, assistant to the director of GCHSEM, questions have been posed about obtaining reimbursements for generators purchased in the storm’s aftermath. Brown said the purchase of a medically necessary generator — one used to power an oxygen delivery system, motorized wheelchair or other electrical medical device — may be eligible for federal reimbursement.

For more information on this issue, contact the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.

Another avenue for federal financial assistance for some who suffered damages from the storm is the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program operated by the Small Business Administration (SBA). These are working capital loans to help small businesses, small agriculture cooperatives and most private nonprofit organizations meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot otherwise be met as a direct result of a disaster.

The application filing deadline for the SBA’s loans is June 19, 2013.

Also, those with storm-related damages may qualify to deduct losses to their home, household goods and motor vehicles on their federal income tax return. For more information, go to the IRS website at www.irs.gov/pub584.

 

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