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Community Assisting Recovery, Inc.

"Survivors Helping Survivors"• 888-216-8264 • carehelp.org

Upcoming Meeting Schedule:

Insurance/Recovery Tip:

ALE Fund Exhaustion

If a FEMA applicant has exhausted ALE funds after a declared disaster and is still unable to return home while the home is being repaired the applicant may be eligible for rental assistance.

Those that cannot return to their homes as a result of the disaster (even if the house was not destroyed) may be eligible for assistance. As a result of the declared disaster they were put out of their homes. The park (in Sylmar) remains closed under the 'Declaration of Public Health Hazard Associated with Fire Ash and Debris' issued on 12-22-08 by the Los Angeles County Public Health Officer.  A letter declaring Oakridge a health hazard was scanned into the FEMA file of those applicants whose house is still standing.

FEMA applicants should submit the following information: (by mail: FEMA NPSC, PO BOX 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055 or by fax (800) 827-8112):

1. Written request informing FEMA of ALE exhaustion ( why they still have a need for rental assistance)
2. Documentation/proof of  exhausting of ALE settlement (receipts showing how funds where used),
3. Copy of their insurance settlement to show proof of amount awarded for ALE
4. And a permanent housing plan (what are they doing to repair home or if they plan to return to the damaged dwelling).

○        FEMA may provide Rental Assistance to households who have exhausted their ALE coverage, for up to 18 months after date of disaster declaration.

○        Applicants must have exhausted the ALE benefit in accordance with the intent of the payment to be considered for Rental Assistance from FEMA

○        Any assistance provided following exhaustion of the applicant’s ALE may be provided only for the remaining period of the 18 months after declared disaster.

○        As with Rental Assistance provided to uninsured applicants, this assistance may be provided for periods of up to 3 months at a time with periodic re-certification reviews for continued assistance.

○        A request for assistance may be submitted any time during the assistance period, provided the applicant registered during the application period.

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Sempra/SCE Update:

Power Line Fire Danger At Center Of Hearings
March 17, 2009

SAN DIEGO -- The California Public Utilities Commission held two public hearings in San Diego Tuesday to discuss how to prevent power lines from sparking wildfires in Santa Ana winds.

http://www.10news.com/news/18947771/detail.html#-

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Disaster Recovery News:                   

Derry Assails Cleanup Cost
March 18, 2009

San Bernardino County paid five times as much as it should have for the cleanup of mountain properties ravaged by the fires of 2007, Third District Supervisor Neil Derry charged Monday, and in doing so denied rebuilding funds to fire victims.

http://crestlinecourier-news.com/articles/2009/03/18/news/news4.txt

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Insurance Industry News:                                                                                  

Americans Believe They’re Savvy About Insurance, but NAIC Insurance IQ Tells Different Story
March 10, 2009

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (March 10, 2009) — In these uncertain financial times, knowledge is your best policy — especially when it comes to insurance. According to a new survey commissioned by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), a vast majority of Americans believe they are smart about insurance, but a deeper look at the issue tells a different story. If you, too, believe you have a high “Insurance IQ,” see if you can answer these three basic questions:

http://www.naic.org/Releases/2009_docs/insurance_iq.htm

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Disaster Prepared:                             

Scotch Broom get it out while the soil is moist

How do you get rid of it?

·         Pull out the entire plant, including roots. When the soil is moist, small plants can be pulled easily by hand. Winter and spring are good seasons to do this in California.

·         Larger plants must be removed with a tool such as a Weed Wrench (tm). Be sure to remove the entire plant. Broken stems re-sprout and are much harder to remove for the next person. Plants can be left where pulled.

For much more, go to http://www.nps.gov/archive/redw/scotchbr.htm

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Disaster News:               

Jury recommends death penalty for Esperanza arsonist
03/18/2009

Photo Gallery: Oyler's sentencing
RIVERSIDE - For more than two years, the families and colleagues of five federal firefighters who died in the Esperanza Fire have endured intense pain and sadness at the loss of their loved ones.

http://www.sbsun.com/ci_11944906

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Quote of the Week:                   

I love the man that can smile in trouble that can gather strength from distress and grow brave by reflection.

   - Thomas Paine

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Community Assisting Recovery, Inc.

19360 Rinaldi Street, PMB 220, Northridge CA 91326
www.carehelp.org
888-216-8264