Floridians Still Waiting On FEMA And Insurance Payments
To say that many Florida families have been waiting for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) after Hurricane Irma is an understatement: It has been over a month, and still, many families are waiting for someone to come out and just inspect their flood-damaged homes so that they can move on and apply for assistance. While the agency arguably worked to address immediate needs, it has been completely inadequate at addressing the aftermath and in providing basic disaster assistance. Many are now waiting for FEMA payments and/or have had their applications for assistance unjustly denied. One of the biggest issues is the backlog of properties to inspect, as citizens are not eligible to receive federal assistance until a FEMA inspector analyzes any damage done by the hurricane. Yet, as of now, the average wait for an inspection is one month in Florida, with some reportedly waiting more than 50 days. This has many, instead, placing their faith in filing effective insurance claims to try and rebuild their lives and properties after the disaster. Dangerous Delays & Outright Rejections for Federal Assistance FEMA very obviously needs to hire more contract inspectors in order to meet basic needs after Hurricane Irma. The wait times associated with the Florida disaster have far exceeded those of past disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina, where people waited an average of five to 10 minutes to speak with a representative on the phone. With Katrina, home inspections were also completed anywhere between 10 days and two weeks after homeowners submitted their applications. FEMA has reportedly denied 23 percent of the application for assistance received, with a majority of those denied here in Florida (432,000 out of 1.8 million Florida applications). According to the agency, “many homes were not significantly damaged by the storm.” Insurance Payment Delays & Shelters Closing Unfortunately, families who do not obtain legal assistance are also waiting on flood insurance payments for more than a month. In addition, homeowners’ insurance rarely covers flood damage, leaving many in limbo, waiting on flood claims filed with their insurance companies. The last shelter in Florida closed on October 21, leaving many residents living in their moldy, sometimes even condemned buildings that pose significant health and hazard concerns. Attorneys Who Can Help Navigating the multi-agency bureaucracy has left many in Florida out of luck, and out of a way of providing for themselves and their families in the wake of disaster. Rather than depend on federal assistance to put your life back together after the hurricane, why not ensure that you file the most effective insurance claim possible with your insurance company, and that any payments that are due to you are not dangerously delayed? Contact one of our Florida insurance claim attorneys at HD Law Partners today to find out more about the estimate and payout to repair your home. Consulting with an experienced attorney can help you avoid experiencing difficulties in the claims process, and our attorneys have significant experience with assisting homeowners with their insurance claims. Resource: nytimes.com/2017/10/22/us/fema-texas-florida-delays-.html Tags: FEMA Law, Florida Homeowners Insurance Attorney, Florida Homeowners Insurance Attorneys Posted in FEMA Insurance Payments, Homeowners Insurance | No Comments » Connect with us Archives May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 July 2025 June 2025 January 2025 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 November 13 Categories Alimony Appellate Arbitration Auto Accidents Auto Insurance Business Corporate Business Insurance Law Child Custody Child Support Criminal Law Divorce Family Law FEMA Insurance Payments Florida’s Mandatory 2‑Hour Legal Professionalism CLE: Foreclosure Defense Fort Myers Hurricane Insurance Attorney General Guardianship HD Law Partners Service HOA/Property Management Homeowners Association Homeowners Insurance Hurricane Claims Hurricane Insurance Insurance Bad Faith Insurance Claims Insurance Defense Insurance Litigation Landlord Tenant Law Enforcement Liability Loan Modifications Mold Water Damage Parental Rights Paternity Personal Injury Premises Liability Law Prenuptial Agreements Private Security Property Distribution Property Owner Law Sarasota Insurance Litigation Attorney Slip Fall Tampa Business and Corporate Attorneys tampa family attorney Tampa Insurance Attorneys Timeshare Timesharing Uncategorized HD Law Partners is proud to be your trusted full-service law firm Quick Links Property & Casualty Business & Corporate Litigation Family Law Contact Us Careers Get In Touch 2002 North Lois Avenue Suite 510 Tampa, FL 33607 813-253-5333 Contact Us