Vermont's top elected officials fielded questions Wednesday evening about recovering from this month's devastating floods.
The telephone town meeting, which was also livestreamed on Facebook, featured Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Peter Welch, Rep. Becca Balint, and Gov. Phil Scott. Other officials spoke about specific program details.
“It’s going to take all of us pulling in the same direction to see this through," said Gov. Phil Scott. "Just like Irene and the pandemic, we’ve seen Vermonters stepping up, neighbors helping neighbors, donating to recovery funds and so much more. This is the Vermont way, and it’s why I know we’ll get through this and once again show why we’re Vermont strong — and tough, too.”
Below are key takeaways from the discussion.
FEMA payouts so far
As of Tuesday evening, 3,074 Vermonters had applied for individual assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, said FEMA coordinating officer William Roy.
The federal government has approved $4.7 million in payouts, including $4.2 million already in people's bank accounts, Roy said. Eight people have received the maximum grant of $41,000.
More from Vermont Public and VTDigger: A guide to the FEMA aid process for flooded Vermont homes
The status of Orleans County
Orleans County has been added to the list of disaster areas where residents are eligible for individual assistance. Nine counties are now eligible.
State: Insurance companies cannot raise rates as a result of floods
A caller asked if there's a way to get FEMA assistance without also going through insurance, since they were afraid that the insurance company would raise their rates due to a claim.
Filing with insurance is part of the process, and you should do it, said Vermont Financial Regulation Commissioner Kevin Gaffney.
“They cannot rate, rerate, cancel your policy due to the events of this storm," Gaffney said. The Vermont Department of Financial Regulation alerted the insurance industry of that position shortly after the flooding began.
More details coming Thursday about state business grant program
The governor promised to share details about the planned $20 million Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program at Thursday's press conference. The program will help businesses and nonprofits with damage to their physical space and loss of inventory, equipment and supplies.
State officials announced the program last week but have not yet provided details about how it would work.
“We scraped together, somewhat robbing Peter to pay Paul, and put together $20 million for this effort,” Scott said on the town meeting phone call. “And I just want to level set expectations here: It’s not enough.”
USDA program can help relocate renters, rebuild homes of low-income Vermonters
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development program is helping income-eligible Vermonters now and will also help communities with needs like wastewater in the long term, said State Director Sarah Waring.
Waring pointed out three groups of people who can benefit from their programs now: Renters, very low-income homeowners, and homeowners who have USDA mortgages.
"If you are a renter and you’ve been displaced, you may be eligible to move into a government-subsidized multi-family housing facility that has vacancies," Waring said. "Some of these are in Vermont, and there are a lot in other states. Our teams can help you find that place and get you connected to that landlord or property manager."
Very low-income homeowners who suffered flooding damage may qualify for grants of up to $40,675 to help with home repairs, Waring said. This is money that comes after any insurance and FEMA benefits.
Current homeowners with USDA mortgages can get flexibility for their payment schedules.
To reach the USDA Rural Development program, call the New Hampshire office at 603-223-6035. (The program's Montpelier office has been flooded.) You can also email Housingvt.nh@usda.gov or visit a FEMA recovery center to talk to someone in person.
Helpful phone numbers and links
- To report flood damage to Vermont officials, call 2-1-1 or visit vermont211.org.
- To apply for assistance through FEMA, visit disasterassistance.gov, call 800-621-3362, or for in-person help, visit a FEMA recovery center.
- To reach the U.S. Small Business Administration, which can provide help to many groups (not just businesses) in the form of low-interest loans, call the local office at 802-828-4422 or visit sba.gov/disaster.
- To reach the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development program, call the New Hampshire office at 603-223-6035. (The program's Montpelier office has been flooded.) You can also email Housingvt.nh@usda.gov or visit a FEMA recovery center to talk to someone in person.
- To reach the USDA Farm Service Agency, call 802-658-2803.
- If you are experiencing emotional distress, call or text the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990, or contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
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