JIC Recovery Release No. 62 - DOAG Crop Loss Compensation Deadline Extended to June 30; Clarifying Common Misconceptions About Federal Disaster Aid; Beware of Fraud Scams - GHS OCD

DOAG Crop Loss Compensation Deadline Extended:

The Department of Agriculture (DOAG) Agriculture Development Services Division (ADS) has extended the application deadline for the Crop Loss Compensation Program (CLCP) to 4:30 p.m., Friday, June 30, 2023.

The CLCP provides monetary relief to farmers and ranchers for losses to crops, livestock and/or property, due to natural disasters. Funding for the program is derived from General Funds appropriated by the Guam Legislature. Compensation does not cover 100% of the loss but serves more as a recovery support to help farmers and ranchers start fresh.

Priority is given to eligible farmers/ranchers who meet all three of the following criteria:

Registered with DOAG ADS as Bona Fide farmers/ranchers;
Engaged in the commercial production of crops (vegetables/fruit trees) and/or livestock; and
Current and in good standing with production reports (due every six months from date of certification)

ADS personnel will be stationed at the DOAG, two-story Wildlife Building, Mangilao, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., June 28 - 30, 2023 to issue applications and provide application guidance. Farmers and ranchers are encouraged to bring valid identification and receipts for items they will claim.

The last day to submit applications is June 30 at 4:30 p.m.

In an effort to support farmers and ranchers with all possible programs available, USDA Farm Services Agency will also be on site to provide information about available federal farmer/rancher programs.

For further information regarding this program, please contact the Department of Agriculture Agriculture Development Services at 671-735-0281 or via email at agriculture@doag.guam.gov.

Clarifying Common Misconceptions About Federal Disaster Aid:

Although Guam residents who were affected by Typhoon Mawar may be eligible for federal disaster assistance, misconceptions can sometimes stand in the way of getting all the help possible. Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions:

Q: Does my income need to be below a certain dollar amount to qualify for disaster aid?

A: No. FEMA’s Housing Assistance program is available, regardless of income, to anyone who suffered damage or losses in Guam. To be considered for other types of grants that cover losses such as personal property, vehicle repair or replacement and moving and storage expenses, you must apply for a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loan first. Homeowners and renters who don’t qualify for an SBA loan may be referred to FEMA for consideration of additional grant assistance.

Q: Will FEMA buy me the actual clothing, furniture, or appliances to replace or repair my lost or damaged personal property?

A: No. FEMA Personal Property Assistance is a form of financial assistance. You should keep receipts when replacing lost items for the purpose of reimbursement from FEMA. FEMA calculates the award amount for each eligible item according to the consumer price index data for items of average quality, size and capacity.

Also, please note that the assistance is intended to meet basic needs and may not cover the complete restoration of all personal property items to their pre-disaster condition.

Q: Is FEMA able to repair or place my medical equipment (e.g., wheelchairs, CPAP, hearing aids) that was lost or damaged as a result of Typhoon Mawar?

A: Potentially, yes. If you have medical insurance, please file a claim for repair or replacement first. If you do not have medical insurance or your insurance does not cover those medical expenses, FEMA may be able to assist. Medical reimbursement is not income-dependent, but it does require a medical doctor’s note.

Q: I have already cleaned up and repaired my property. Am I still eligible to register with FEMA?

A: Yes. You may be eligible for reimbursement for clean-up, repair and other expenses. Taking both before and after photos of the damaged property can help expedite your application for assistance and should be on hand at the time of your FEMA housing inspection.

Q: How can I check the status of my case after I register with FEMA?

A: You may go online to disasterassistance.gov or call the toll-free FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If you need face-to-face assistance, please visit one of the four Disaster Recovery Centers in Guam.

Q: Will FEMA pay for all home repairs and contract work?

A: No. FEMA does not pay to return your home to its pre-disaster condition. FEMA provides grants to qualified homeowners to repair damage not covered by insurance to make the home habitable, safe, sanitary and secure. However, an SBA low-interest disaster loan may provide the means to return a home to its pre-disaster condition.

Q: I don’t speak or understand English, can FEMA still help me?

A: Yes. FEMA has many ways to meet your language needs. Some FEMA employees are bilingual or multilingual and can assist you with registration in your primary language at community meetings and at Disaster Recovery Centers. Translation services, including sign languages, are also available at all Disaster Recovery Centers. Multilingual operators are available when you call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362. It is helpful if someone who speaks English can assist you when making the call.

You can find the answers to additional questions and some other frequently asked questions here.

If you have more questions or concerns, let FEMA know.

If you haven’t applied for federal disaster assistance yet, please do so at disasterassistance.gov, by using the FEMA mobile app, by calling 800-621-3362 (The Helpline is available 24 hours a day/7 days a week at no cost for Guam residents) or by stopping by a Disaster Recovery Center located at Guam Community College, Dededo Sports Complex, C.L. Taitano Elementary School and Inalahan Community Center.

Beware of Fraud Scams:

Guam residents affected by Typhoon Mawar should be aware that crooks may try to obtain money or steal personal information through fraud or identity theft after a disaster. The community is reminded:

FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance teams, housing inspectors and other authorized officials working in impacted areas always carry official identification badges with photo IDs.
FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration representatives never charge applicants for disaster assistance, inspections or help in filling out applications.
Don’t believe anyone who promises a disaster grant in return for payment.
Be suspicious of unexpected phone calls or visits to your home from people claiming to be FEMA housing inspectors or people claiming they work for FEMA (FEMA representatives will have your FEMA application number).
Don’t give out your banking information to a person claiming to be a FEMA housing inspector (FEMA inspectors are never authorized to collect your personal financial information).

In some cases, thieves try to apply for FEMA assistance using names, addresses and Social Security numbers they have stolen from survivors.

If a FEMA inspector comes to your home and you did not submit a FEMA application, your information may have been used without your knowledge to create a FEMA application. If so, please inform the inspector that you did not apply for FEMA assistance so they can submit a request to stop further processing of the application.

If you did not apply for assistance but receive a letter from FEMA, please call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. The Helpline will submit a request to stop any further processing of that application. If you do wish to apply for FEMA assistance after stopping an application made in your name without your knowledge, the Helpline will assist you in creating a new application.

If you suspect fraudulent activity involving FEMA, you can report it to the FEMA Fraud Branch at: StopFEMAFraud@fema.dhs.gov, fax: 202-212-4926 or write to: FEMA Fraud and Internal Investigation Division, 400 C Street SW Mail Stop 3005, Washington, DC 20472-3005.

If you suspect identity theft, please visit Identity Theft | FTC Consumer Information or IdentityTheft.gov.

Residents are also advised to report any suspicious activity or suspected fraud to local law enforcement or the Mariana Regional Fusion Center (MRFC) at 671-475-0400 or via email at mrfc@ghs.guam.gov, following the Department of Homeland Security’s campaign, “If You See Something, Say Something.” Information that is provided to the MRFC will be recorded and properly disseminated to all pertinent authorities.

Visit the following links for the latest information:

Governor’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/govlouguam
GHS/OCD Website: https://ghs.guam.gov/
GHS/OCD Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GHSOCD/

For more information, contact the Joint Information Center at (671) 478-0208/09/10.

X Flooding is a temporary overflowing of water onto land that is normally dry. Flooding may happen with only a few inches of water, or it may cover a house to the rooftop. There are many possible causes of floods including heavy rain, coastal storms and storm surge, waterway overflow from being blocked with debris, or overflow of levees, dams, or waste water systems. Flooding can occur slowly over many days or happen very quickly with little or no warning, called flash floods.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/floods

Wildfire

Regularly clean the roof and gutters.
Maintain an area approximately 30’ away from you home that is free of anything that will burn, such as wood piles, dried leaves, newspapers and other brush.
Connect garden hoses long enough to reach any area of the home and fill garbage cans, tubs, or other large containers with water.
Review your homeowner's insurance policy and also prepare/update a list of your home's contents.

Fire Weather

Turn on your TV/radio. You’ll get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.
Know where to go. If you are ordered to evacuate, know the route to take and have plan of where you will go. Check-in with your friends and family.
Keep your car fueled, in good condition, and stocked with emergency supplies and a change of clothes.

Drought

Conserve water

Take shorter showers.

Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving.
Run the washer less frequently and only when you have a full load.
Water your lawn less frequently and do so when the temperature is cooler in the early morning or late evening.
When you run the tap to heat or cool water, keep a pitcher to store the water and use it to water plants.
Avoid washing your car.

Practice fire prevention

Don't set off fireworks when conditions are dry.
Deposit cigarette butts in the proper receptacle to avoid starting a
Pour water over camp fires and backyard fire pits to ensure they are completely out before leaving them unattended.

Follow directions from local officials. If there are restrictions on water usage, be sure to heed them.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/wildfires and https://www.ready.gov/drought

X
Typhoons/Hurricanes are massive storm systems that form over the water and move toward land. Threats from typhoons/hurricanes include high winds, heavy rainfall, storm surge, coastal and inland flooding, and rip currents.

“Hurricanes” form in the Atlantic Northeast Pacific region and “Typhoons” form in the Northwest Pacific Region. These large storms are call cyclones in other parts of the world.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes.

JIC Recovery Release No. 62 - DOAG Crop Loss Compensation Deadline Extended to June 30; Clarifying Common Misconceptions About Federal Disaster Aid; Beware of Fraud Scams