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Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsLocal governmentHurricane Disaster Recovery Recommends to Keep Track of Important Dates

Hurricane Disaster Recovery Recommends to Keep Track of Important Dates

V.I. Department of Human Services

Eligible survivors across the territory may apply for food aid under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP), according to a press release issued Friday by the Department of Human Services (DHS). D-SNAP provides food assistance to low-income households with food loss or damage caused by a natural disaster. The program is being managed by DHS.

The D-SNAP application sites have been consolidated:

  • St. Croix – DHS Mars Hill offices in Frederiksted
  • St. Thomas – Tutu Park Mall
  • St. John – DHS Multipurpose Center

The times of site operations will remain from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m., and on Saturday, Nov. 18, where the sites will operate 8 a.m. until 1 p.m.”

Thursday, Nov. 23 is the deadline to apply for temporary roof repairs through Operation Blue Roof. Homes with a temporary roof repair under Operation Blue Roof are not excluded from power restoration by the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (WAPA), although the home must first be inspected and certified by a licensed electrician in order for the work to proceed.

Monday, Dec. 18, is the deadline to register with FEMA for assistance because FEMA has granted the territorial government’s request to extend the deadlines and make them the same for both disasters.

Friday, Dec. 29 is the deadline for government entities and certain private nonprofit organizations to submit a Request for Public Assistance (RPA) with VITEMA. Potential applicants can download the RPA form at https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/10145 and submit it to the following territorial government contacts:

o St. Croix: Malinda K. Vigilant-Messer, Deputy Public Assistance Officer, at 773-2244 or malinda.vigilant@vitema.vi.gov

o St. Thomas-St. John: Renata Christian-West, Territorial Public Assistance Officer, at 774-2244 or renata.christian@vitema.vi.gov

  1. Friday, Dec. 29 is the deadline to register for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). Survivors who lost jobs as a result of Hurricane Irma or Hurricane Maria can report to the U.S.V.I. Department of Labor for assistance with applying at the following locations:

o    St. Croix: U.S.V.I. Department of Labor, 4401 Sion Farm, Christiansted; Monday through Friday

o    St. John: Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the U.S.V.I. Legislature, St. John Annex, 1D Cruz Bay

o    St. Thomas: U.S.V.I. Department of Labor at 2353 Kronprindsens Gade; Monday through Friday,

Wednesday, Jan. 31 is the end of the enrollment period for the Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP). The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is making the EPAP available for uninsured survivors to ensure they have access to medicines and medical equipment.

The free program provides a 30-day supply of covered drugs and medical supplies that can be renewed every 30 days for as long as the program is active. People who live in the disaster area and do not have any form of prescription insurance should call the EPAP enrollment toll-free hotline at 1-855-793-7470.

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