ReBuild Western Massachusetts can help you access funds to rebuild after the tornado. Make Energy Smart improvements that will help save on energy bills for years to come! Download the flyer for more info >>

Rebuilding Guide for Homeowners

The City of Springfield and HAP Housing has released a guide to assist residents rebuilding after the June 1 tornadoes with identifying resources available to assist them. Download the Rebuilding Guide >>

FEMA Disaster Assistance Guide / Ayuda después de un desastre

Information for individuals and households (English)
Guía del solicitante para el Programa de Individuos y Familias (Espanol)

Rebuilding Together Springfield Announces Tornado Recovery “Funnel Your Energy for Rebuilding Together” Rebuilding 25 Homes in 5 Days

Rebuilding Together, the nation’s leading nonprofit working to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize communities announced a tornado rebuilding event from Saturday, October 1 – Wednesday, October 5, 2011. Rebuilding Together Springfield, MA affiliate along with more than 200 fellow Rebuilding Together affiliates across the country and 100 TD Bank employees from Maine to New England will repair and rebuild the homes of low-income Americans affected by the devastating tornadoes of June 1st.  More >>

Ineligibility Letter May Not be the Last Word on Disaster Assistance

People who receive a notice from the Federal Emergency Management Agency stating they are ineligible for disaster assistance may be able to use additional records to turn that “no” into a “yes.”

“Every applicant has the right to appeal a FEMA decision,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Nick Russo. “When you do so, you are asking us to review your case again, and we will gladly do that.”

State and federal disaster assistance is available in Hampden and Worcester counties for survivors of the severe storms and tornadoes that struck Massachusetts June 1.

“Applicants who receive a letter from FEMA saying they are ineligible for assistance should read that document thoroughly and carefully,” said Kurt Schwartz, state coordinating officer and director of the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency. “It will list some reasons the aid was denied and provide instructions on filing an appeal.” 

Some common reasons an applicant may be determined ineligible include:

• More information is needed on insurance coverage. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance benefits. If the applicant can show the need for help with losses not covered by insurance, an appeal may be successful.
• The applicant did not sign required documents.
• Additional personal information is needed to complete the assistance evaluation process.
• Proof is needed to verify the identity of the applicant or that the damaged property was the applicant’s primary residence at the time of the disaster. 
• Confusion about Social Security numbers, addresses or phone numbers. If FEMA can’t contact you, your application may be denied.

An appeal letter must be submitted within 60 days of the date on the ineligibility letter.

You can mail it to:
FEMA Appeals Officer
National Processing Service Center
P.O. Box 10055
Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055

Or fax it to: 800-827-8112

Keep a copy of the appeal letter and supporting documentation as a record.

For more information on the appeals process, call FEMA’s Helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362) or   

TTY 800-462-7585 for the hearing- and speech-impaired.

You may also visit the Springfield Disaster Recovery Center at:

Massachusetts Technology Park
One Federal Street, Building #104
Springfield, Massachusetts 01105

Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. The center is closed Saturdays and Sundays.

MA-DR-1994-NR-028 Crisis Outreach Program Available to Massachusetts Tornado Survivors

As residents of Hampden and Worcester counties clean up and rebuild in the aftermath of the severe storms and tornadoes of June 1, they may want to take steps to boost their emotional recovery.

“Disasters are stressful and draining for survivors,” said Kurt Schwartz, state coordinating officer and director of the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency. “But help is available for people who feel overwhelmed, exhausted or unable to cope.”  

As a supplement to regular community services, the disaster-related MassSupport Program is now offering free outreach to tornado survivors. Through a state and federal partnership, Riverside Community Care operates MassSupport by sending specially trained workers into tornado-stricken communities, where they go door to door and visit community centers and civic groups.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency provided $98,300 for the effort. 

To contact the service, call 781-915-8047 or 2-1-1. Registration for disaster assistance is not required, and all calls are confidential.

Massachusetts Recovery Coordination Center launched to efficiently coordinate information on assistance needs and volunteers

United Way of Pioneer Valley, MASS 2-1-1, Massachusetts Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, and All Hands Volunteers are launching a coordination point to maximize their efforts in clean-up across the region. The Massachusetts Recovery Coordination Center (RCC) provides resources and referrals to residents in need of assistance and coordinates with other agencies to deliver services directly to those in need. It also fosters communication and collaboration between groups to avoid duplication of efforts and to maximize impact on the community in this time of need.  More>>

New Mass.gov Storm Recovery Web Site

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts now has a website which is one-stop shopping for all Tornado recovery related issues:

www.mass.gov/stormrecovery

Visit the site to learn more about how you can help; Also learn about the storm assistance centers and other consumer information.

• Patrick-Murray Administration Details Insurance Claim Data From June 2011 Tornados
• Funnel Your Energy for Rebuilding Together… Rebuilding 25 Homes in 5 Days
• Mayor Domenic J. Sarno Calls on FEMA to Approve City's Request for Removal and Disposal of Debris from Private Property
• Rebuilding Together Springfield Announces Tornado Recovery “Funnel Your Energy for Rebuilding Together” Rebuilding 25 Homes in 5 Days
• SBA to Close Disaster Loan Outreach Centers and Business Recovery Center in Hampden County on August 18
• SBA Cerrará los Centros de Asistencia por Desastre y el Centro de Recuperación para Negocios en el Condado de Hampden el 18 de agosto
• FEMA Center to Reopen as SBA Disaster Loan Center
• SBA Urges Return of Applications Before Aug. 15
• Préstamos para Propietarios, Inquilinos y Negocios de todos los Tamaños
• MA-DR-1994-NR-033 Springfield Disaster Recovery Center to Become SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center
• Ineligibility Letter May Not be the Last Word on Disaster Assistance
• MA-DR-1994-NR-028 Crisis Outreach Program Available to Massachusetts Tornado Survivors
• Rebuild Springfield Advisory Committee Schedules Listening Tours
• Apply for SBA Assistance Before Insurance Settlement
• Aplique Para Asistencia con SBA Antes de Llegar a un Acuerdo Con Su Aseguradora
• Emergency HUD Assistance for Homeowners
• Three Disaster Recovery Centers to Close
• SBA Business Recovery Center Opens
• City Working with Tornado Victims on Property Taxes
• Redevelopment Efforts
• Local Disaster Assistance Guide
• Recursos Locales Para Ayuda de Desastre (en Espanol)
• Consumer Tips for Tornado-Affected Homeowners
• Dies Avisos para Duenos de Casas Afectados Por el Tornado
• Instructions for Storm Debris Removal, Plywood Available
• CHD Collecting Donations for Storm Victims
• Massachusetts Recovery Coordination Center launched to efficiently coordinate information on assistance needs and volunteers
• City of Springfield's Law Department to Seek Orders on Condemned Properties