Thousand Oaks Disaster Recovery Center to Close on Dec. 17

December 17, 2018 Rosanna Coletti Popular, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks Comments Off

(Sacramento, Ca) The Thousand Oaks Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in the Janss Mall will close permanently at 7 p.m., Monday, Dec. 17.

Located at 173 Moorpark Rd., Suite A, the DRC location is open Monday, Dec. 17 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m and will close at the end of the day.

DRCs are jointly operated by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). DRCs offer information concerning resources available to homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained damage as a result of the wildfires.

Two other DRCs remain open to serve survivors of the Woolsey and Hill Fires:

(Malibu) Los Angeles County Malibu Courthouse 23525 Civic Center Way Malibu, CA 90265 Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mon. thru Sat. Closed Sundays
(Agoura Hills) Los Angeles County Conrad N. Hilton Foundation 30440 Agoura Rd. Agoura Hills, CA 91301 Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mon. thru Sat. Closed Sundays

Representatives of FEMA’s Individual Assistance and Mitigation teams, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and other state and federal agencies, as well as nongovernmental service organizations, will continue to staff the DRCs in Los Angeles County.

DRCs are accessible for individuals with disabilities and access and functional needs. They have on-site communication accessibility tools, including amplified listening devices, Video Relay Interpreting and CapTel phones. ASL interpreters are available upon request.

Survivors are encouraged to file insurance claims for damages to their homes, cars and businesses before they apply for FEMA assistance. They can register with FEMA online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585). Multi-lingual operators are available. The toll-free numbers are open daily 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. PST

Many of the services available at the DRCs are also available on the FEMA Helpline, including:

Registering with FEMA to apply for disaster assistance;
Providing a change of address, phone number, bank account and insurance information;
Receiving information about FEMA home inspections;
Getting other questions answered about federal disaster assistance;
Asking questions about a letter from FEMA, and
Learning how to appeal a FEMA decision.

Californians impacted by the wildfires that started on Nov. 8 in Butte, Los Angeles and Ventura counties can find their nearest DRC at https://egateway.fema.gov/ESF6/DRCLocator or by texting 43362 with the message DRC and their ZIP Code. Standard message and data rates apply.

If a resident received a letter or text message stating that they were not eligible for disaster aid, there may be an easy way to resolve some of the reasons wildfire survivors received a notice stating that they are ineligible for assistance.

One common reason for initially being ineligible for disaster assistance is that an applicant has not provided FEMA with a copy of an insurance determination letter.
Other reasons for an ineligibility determination may include:

o   The applicant did not sign the required documents.

o   The applicant did not prove occupancy or ownership

o   Applicants identity may not have been verified

o   The damage is to a secondary home or rental property, not a primary residence.

o   Someone else in the household may have applied and received assistance.

o   Disaster related losses could not be verified.

Residents should call 1-800-621-3362 or visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC).

Residents may also receive a Small Business Administration (SBA) loan application packet; if so, it is important that they complete and return the SBA packet. If the SBA determines the homeowner or renter qualifies for a loan, they don’t have to take it , but it is a low interest loan with deferred payments. If it is determined that the homeowner or renter doesn’t qualify for a loan, they may be referred for assistance through the Other Needs Assistance (ONA) program.

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