FEMA Paying For Generators...

[Jerry Still]

Folks,

Several family's in my complex have bought generators in the last two storms. Both called FEMA (800) 621-3362 and received a visit and on the spot checks for the generator and also for gas used and any plywood that was purchased. No $hit...free generators!

I read that FEMA is about out of money and is asking for another 2 Billion $. Something feels wrong to me about this free money program. If your poor I guess its OK? I guess its better that American's get the money then to give it away for libraries in Iraq. Can Sand Diggers (pc) read?

I haven't bought a generator yet as I don't want to keep my neighbors up all night with the noise. I will if they get one. But, I think I'll bite the bullet and pay for it myself. (It's tempting though).

JS

 

[Wendy]

I thought you had to have filed an insurance claim in order to get money for generators and the like. Maybe not?

 

[Jerry Still]

Wendy,

You might be right? The people who got the money in my complex must have filed some type of claim with FEMA, but I don't think it was a FEMA insurance claim for damage to their homes. I was told by one home owner that it was for the generator and gas only. The other person was second hand information (inyouenddough), Italian suppository.

Give the FEMA 800 number a call, they might give you some more information. As I intend to pay for mine (if I buy one) without the tax payers help and I'm to busy watching the weather channel.

JS

 

[Chris Colston]

Take it from one who is in the process right now...ME! You have to call your HOMEOWNERS insurance company first and get a claim #. Most HO polcies do not cover generator purchases, mine covers a rental. Yeah , right, try and find a generator to rent. FEMA will reimburse up to $800 for a purchase and 40 gallons of gas. I'm currently running about 3 gallons to 5 gallons a day. FEMA will also cover your insurance deductible either as an out right grant or low interest loan depending on gross income. Hurricane coverage on homeowners insurance is not the same as regular coverage. Most deductibles on HO insurance are like $500-$1,500. Hurricane coverage the deductible is 2% of the dwelling value. My deductible is $2,600!! I have neighbors where the deductible is over $3,800. I've been out of work now since last Thursday....do you have $2,600 to cover my deductible...cuz without work, I sure don't....and I need a new roof, and interior repairs. I'll take whatever I can get right now, from FEMA the RED CROSS, even unemployment (FEMA rep says I can qualify for disaster relief for lost time on the business).

Don't be so quick to judge those who appear to be getting a hand out...its more like a HAND UP!

 

[Wendy]

Personally I think that claiming FEMA money is the right thing to do if you have a reason.

Myself - no damage just cleanup and doing w/out electric. Couldn't work for a week, but also didn't mind a little vacation. FEMA money would be wrong.

Chris and others w/ damage - there is a big hit in cost for deductables and repairs; can't work and need the cash. FEMA money is right.


We pay taxes into a system. What is wrong with that money sometimes returning to help us when we need it?

By the way, I'm looking for a 6000+ watt generator. Anyone know where I can get one?

 

[Jerry Still]

Chris,

"Don't be so quick those to judge those who appear to be getting a hand out...its more like a HAND UP"

Chris, where in my post did you get the thought that I was judgmental about people who needed the help from FEMA?

I think if you own a business (40+ employees) and your net worth is mega bucks (as my neighbors is) and you can well afford many luxuries such as $100,000 travel trailers. You have no business getting FEMA money to pay for your generator. This guy and his family stayed in a hotel during the first storm and the 40' trailer (with air) during the second.

What is it about the mega number posters on this Forum? You guys/gals read each post with a magnifying glass looking for something you perceive as negative so you can jump down the non "in crowd" posters throat? No wonder at lot of us just lurk.

My original post was intended to let my fellow Forum members know about the FEMA free generator program, not demean people who really have an economic need to use it. I'm real glad my tax dollars are going to fellow Americans in need and not to Build libraries in Baghdad!

I know your having a hard time their, but please lighten up a little or your fellow Floridian here. I'm felling some stress myself here too.

Love,

Jerry

 

[Chris Colston]

"If your poor, I guess it's OK?" Jerry, what is poor?? House poor, income poor, cash poor???

I'm not attacking you, if you have the funds available to purchase a generator without assistance, go get one.

I attempted to answer this yestgerday, but the dial connection got disconnected as I pressed the REPLY button.

You pay taxes, I pay taxes, your neighbors pay taxes....right now cash is very tight. Do you know how many of those non-poor neighbors are out of work? How many are self employed like you and me, that have had businesses destroyed by the current weather conditions??

I'm not saying you don't have a valid agruement about the folks that don't necessarily need the help are taking advantage of it anyway, but do you really know the whole story before you start critizing the actions of others.

BTW..speaking of paying taxes...The IRS has extended filing 3rd quarter 2004 and the annual 2003 until Dec 30 for Florida tax payers. Good thing, too, cuz I'm supposed to file by Oct 15 and after this stint of being out work and the cost of repairs to my house, I can't afford to pay taxes, too, right now.

BTW...i don't consider myself a MEGA poster either. Chill a little. we're all on edge these days.

 

[Judy Whitehead (Florida)]

Ah, come on guys....it is always easy to misunderstand someone when you are just reading the words and not listening to the voice or looking at the body language. I certainly understood where Jerry was coming from about his rich neighbor and I also know that Chris has had a real hard time of it.

The only inconvenience I have had have been a yard full of branches and no electricity for 4 days. I consider myself really lucky. We had a tiny little generator that broke after 2 days so I had to listen to my neighbor's generator through the hot night as well! At least he was 300-400 yards away, as our lots are big and it sounded pretty loud anyway!

Actually, the worst thing about losing power was no water - we have a private well for water. We flushed with pool water and I read my book by oil lamp. I actually enjoyed everything but the lack of water.

Let's help each other. Just let me know if there is anything I can do. I have donated money to hurricane relief through several organizations, but feel quite helpless otherwise. We are just praying that Ivan stays away

 

[Jerry Still]

Judy,

Thank you for the kind words regarding misunderstanding posts due to lack of voice or body language. Your a beacon of light in the dark.

I also have a neighbor who ran a generator 24 hours a day. His was on his patio 15' from my open bedroom window. I left after one day to my Aunts home in Fort Myers until my power came on eight days later.

That's the reason I won't buy a generator for the next storm, unless the rest of the neighbors do. Some people have no consideration for their neighbors or $hit for brains. We all live on 65x125 sites.

Regards,

JS

 

[Wendy]

Charley - only one person on the street had a generator and he ran it all the time. Death threats were pending.

Francis - everyone on the street had purchased a generator and we all ran 'em like crazy. They are not so loud when you have one too!