FAULKNER COUNTY, Ark. — FEMA continues to accept requests for assistance following the historic Arkansas River flood.
More than 1,300 people in Arkansas have applied for FEMA assistance following the flood.
FEMA spokesperson Lenisha Smith says with the different types of assistance available – state, local, federal, volunteer agencies and others – “a majority” of applicants have been determined eligible.
However, some flood victims seeking federal assistance say they have received a determination letter stating they are ineligible for FEMA assistance.
Water from the Arkansas River rose 12 feet inside Susana Alvarado’s home near Toad Suck Lock and Dam.
Alvarado described the damage as “very sad.”
Her home also flooded in 2016.
“During the first flood, FEMA gave us money to restore the house,” Alvarado said through a translator.
But this time around, Alvarado said her request for FEMA assistance was denied.
According to Smith, FEMA requires anyone who receives assistance from the agency to maintain flood insurance moving forward. If they don't, they become ineligible for future flood assistance, she said.
“They gave us insurance for three years. The insurance expired in April,” Alvarado said.
When her property flooded one month later, it was not covered by insurance. Alvarado said a new policy would've run more than $500 per month – a rate she says is not affordable for her family of seven and others in the neighborhood.
“I know two other people who have been denied help due to the same problem,” she said.
According to Smith, an application for assistance could be deemed ineligible for a variety of reasons. Anyone whose application is denied has 60 days to appeal.
“If you have any questions we definitely recommend people stop in at their closest disaster recovery center where they can sit down face-to-face with a representative and they can go through those letters together and let them know what their next steps should be,” Smith said.
Alvarado filed her appeal at a disaster recovery center on Wednesday.
“We have to wait ten days to see what solution they'll offer us,” she said.
Anyone wishing to register for FEMA Assistance can call 1-800-621-FEMA.
“There’s a process we have to go through,” Smith said. “Of course, we want it to go by as quickly as we can, but it’s very important for you to stay in touch with us and making sure that we have everything we need to assist you.”