HURRICANE MARIA FEMA A FEMA update from February 1 states that 10,742 individuals are participating in FEMA’s Transitional Shelter Assistance (TSA) program throughout 40 states and Puerto Rico. HURRICANE IRMA FEMA PA Grants in USVI. FEMA has approved more than $138 million in additional grants for restoration of electric power and removal of debris in… Continue reading

General Updates State of the Union. Last night, President Trump gave his first State of the Union Address. Several members of Congress tried to highlight Puerto Rico’s continuing struggle with recovery by bringing Hurricane Maria survivors as their guests. Representative Grace Meng (D-NY) brought Omar Miguel Nieves Delgado, a 33-year-old dancer who left San Juan… Continue reading

CONGRESS Need for Direct Lease Program. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) sent a letter on January 25 to Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Roselló advising him to request participation in FEMA’s Direct Lease program. FEMA uses the Direct Lease program to provide temporary housing by encouraging landlords to participate in the program, then paying for rent and… Continue reading

General Updates Updated Deadlines. NLIHC has compiled this list of known upcoming deadlines related to disaster recovery.  Some of these are coming up soon, including Feb. 10th for Florida’s TSA.  IRS EITC Eligibility. The IRS is urging survivors of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria to see if they qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit… Continue reading

General Delayed Loans for PR. FEMA and the U.S. Treasury Department are temporarily withholding a billion-dollar emergency loan to help Puerto Rico with disaster recovery efforts. The loan was approved by Congress several months ago, but officials from FEMA and Treasury issued a letter on January 8 stating that the island’s central cash balance did… Continue reading