Senator Rand Paul, others, work to simplify FEMA application process
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – U.S. Senator Rand Paul and others reintroduced bipartisan legislation to simplify the application process for federal disaster recovery assistance.
Officials say the legislation would require the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish a universal application across federal agencies for disaster survivors who are seeking federal assistance to recover from hurricanes, floods, wildfires and other natural disasters. Currently, individuals seeking federal aid to recover from a disaster must complete 'complicated' applications depending on which agency they need help from – a process that can take weeks or even months. The senators' legislation would help streamline this process.
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'Over the past few years, Kentucky has endured several deadly tornadoes and flash floods, leaving significant damage and displacing thousands throughout the Commonwealth,' said Sen. Paul. 'Many of those impacted have expressed challenges in receiving quick assistance and updates from government agencies. As part of my commitment to always put Kentuckians first, I'm proud to cosponsor the Disaster Assistance Simplification Act, which will reduce the burden on disaster survivors by ensuring the process of receiving aid is simple and speedy. I look forward to working with a bipartisan coalition to get this important legislation passed expeditiously.'
Officials explain after a disaster, there are several types of federal disaster assistance that may become available to disaster survivors. For example, FEMA's Individuals and Households Program can provide financial or direct assistance for housing and other needs and the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Real Property Disaster Loans and Personal Property Loans are available to eligible homeowners and renters who have incurred uninsured or underinsured damage to their home or personal property located in a declared disaster area. The senators argue these 'burdensome' applications can overwhelm some survivors, causing many to simply give up trying to access desperately needed assistance and pushing survivors beyond their breaking point.
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Sen. Paul's office explains the 'Disaster Assistance Simplification Act' amends the 'Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act' to require FEMA to establish a universal disaster application across federal agencies for disaster survivors who are seeking federal recovery aid. The bill would allow FEMA to share information on disaster survivors with other federal agencies to streamline recovery efforts and reduce the burden on survivors after a disaster. Finally, the bill requires all information sharing practices to meet federal data security standards.
The legislation can be viewed below.
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