Well, yesterday didn't turn out to be eventful by any means -- but there is still a good bit of news to report...
First off -- George finished his homework!!! I didn't think it was going to happen, but it did eventually. I just had to do the follow up on that story considering that George's homework was the one thing to take up the biggest chunk of yesterday....
According to our online account summary with FEMA - our appeal for assistance for the loss of our vehicles was denied. Reasons stated: 'other'. We should be getting a letter from them within the next few months explaining the denial. We aren't devastated -- actually, we aren't even surprised -- it was simply worth a shot.
I had actually forgotten about FEMA altogether until Dave informed me our appeal was denied. That's when I had a vague memory of something else FEMA was supposed to be doing... Er... providing temporary housing for several thousand people? No, no that's not it...
Paying for the demolition of condemned houses? Uh.. no they 'changed their mind' half way through that project... Maybe they were supposed to be allowing contractor bidding on some of those no-bid contracts they gave out back in September? Oh, that's right they 'changed their mind' about that too. Oh yes.. I remember now...
Back at what feels like the dawn of time to us now... when we first applied with FEMA... they informed us that as part of the process we were required to apply for an SBA loan. Further, we were informed that if we were denied a loan by SBA that our application would return to FEMA for a possible home repair grant. I remember our SBA inspector telling me not to worry if we did not qualify -- that it would actually turn out better for us in the end because we would go back to FEMA for the grant and would not have to deal with another loan payment. His words were prophetic because of course we were denied the SBA loan. But we have never heard a thing about any grant from FEMA. My memory was further jogged last night when I ran across a recent post by a local woman who was asking whatever happened to the grants FEMA promised if you were denied by SBA.... Apparently we weren't the only ones... I can only assume now that FEMA had another change of plans.
Timing is everything though - and on the heels of the vehicle assistance denial I found our state tax refund in the mail. Everything helps.
Also in the mail yesterday afternoon: A little bird ran across my blog entry regarding Shell Oil's Keep Gulf Coast Moving program. We received two gift cards for gasoline from Shell Oil yesterday afternoon. Such a personal gesture lifted our spirits in a really big way -- and we can always use the gas, too. I'd like to extend a huge thank you to Shell Oil and all the folks who have worked to execute the program (and that little bird, too).
Discovered online yesterday: The website for the Mississippi Katrina Homeowner's Grants made its 'application guidebook' available for viewing on March 27th. Most notable quote: "With this federally funded grant money, MDA is hopeful that thousands of homes across Mississippi can be rebuilt and repaired as soon as possible. On behalf of every Mississippian, MDA thanks you for demonstrating resilience, hope and patience during the months that have passed since Hurricane Katrina struck. You continue to make your fellow citizens proud to call Mississippi home."
Notable glitches:
Everyone who appears on the deed for the affected property must be present at the application center. (That would be Dave and I.) There will be no child care provided and, further, MDA reminds us that we should not be distracted during the application process. It is required that we 'make other arrangements' for child care. Yes. Okay. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it -- but I'm sure I'm not the only mother out here feeling stressed about the whole thing now, thanks.
The application requires that we bring the Proof of Loss statement provided by our insurer to the application center. We never received a Proof of Loss statement and I'm still really confused about how the insurance process was supposed to have played out. Further on in the application worksheet provided - there is reference made to 'total damages' as outlined by the homeowner's policy... and then the same process repeats for the wind policy.. and again for the flood policy... Although we did have a wind policy in addition to homeowner's - there was no distinction made between the two when our insurance company settled our wind damage claim... And none of the damage for flooding is actually documented by our insurance company -- it is simply ignored. Therefore, what our insurance settlement refers to as 'total damages' is actually limited to 'wind damage'... I hope we're allowed to write in the margin of these applications.
That stuff aside -- we just can't wait to gather up our paperwork and go stand in line.
There was a knock at the door last night. I don't know what time it was because I was busy encouraging George to do his homework... but it was dark outside. I could hear Dave talking to someone for a few minutes before he called me to the door. There on our porch were about six people of various ages. They said they were coming from Ingall's Baptist Church.. and were volunteers from Tennessee. They wanted to know if we needed any help. *grin* We chattered like maniacs and told them we had tons of stuff to do... but we weren't sure what should be done next. We explained the situation with the homeowner's grants -- and how we felt a little stuck waiting to find out if we qualify for anything... That is -- if we do qualify we certainly don't want to take valuable volunteer time from folks who aren't going to qualify... But of course if we don't qualify -- we are definitely going to need some help. They put our name on their list and told us they would have shifts of volunteers coming down week after week and that they would stay in touch with us or we could call if we needed something sooner.
Then the pretty young girl of the group asked if we needed anything in the meantime -- like, maybe prayers or something. Gasp! "No! No!" I hissed - and then I ran them all off the porch with a broom.... Er.. okay that's not at all what happened. I just wanted to make sure you were actually reading this. We asked them all to pray for us.. for all of us... And then, right there on the porch, the pretty young girl led the group in a sweet prayer for our family.
Thank you, God, for the exquisite timing.
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