I got the "substantial damage" letter long ago. After finding out where to send it, I did so. I got a response in the mail requesting a dozen or so more letters and/or documents in order to receive the funds. Has anybody out there jumped through all these hoops and actually seen the money? Is there a shortcut? My plans are to use the $ for demolition.

Mike,
We are just starting that process one house with allstate and one with state farm.

To date allstate has been a walk in the park with claims; state farm on the other hand had us jumping through hoops just to get an adjuster out to our home.

But today if something happens in a day it is a miracle, if it happens it a week it is amazing, a month right on time...

Please keep us updated and let us know what hoops too look out for and which ones just lead back to the starting point.
Daniel

I have been told by my State Farm ICC adjuster that I can not use the substantial damage letter that Orleans parish is using currently. How are people getting their ICC money in Orleans parish with the same letter I was issued?? Please help!!

I don't know anything about State Farm not accepting the substancially damaged letters for ICC funds. To receive the funds for demolition (which is all I am experienced in), I had to send in a copy of the substancially damaged letter, a copy of the demo contract to be completed by a contractor, a copy of the demolition permit, a copy of the elevation certificate for my property, and a "Proof of Loss" form that they faxed to me after receiving all of the paperwork above. I then received half of the cost for my demolition. Now that the demo is completed, I am waiting for the City of New Orleans to issue me a letter stating that the house has indeed been knocked down. Once I receive this letter, I will fax it over to State Farm and they will send me a check for the remaining half of the ICC money for demolition.They hadn't changed the rules the last I checked, but as we all know, that means very little and it is quite possible. I hope this helps.

Cherie Melancon Franz

Allstate ICC Process:

We faxed them:
1.The Letter from the City of New Orleans that states the home is more than 50% damaged.
2. A current flood evaluation, ours from 2 years ago was -2.5 one done last week had us at -2.9, I think these 4 inches helped us since the 1984 BFE is -2.5. This cost $200 but ins. will reimburse you.
3. Building Permit (demolish)
4. Contract from our demo. company
5. Demand Letter from bank/mortgage company.
6. They faxed back a Statement of Loss, that I signed and faxed back.

Allstate said we are qualified for the full $30,000

We are still going through the process with State Farm, but they are requesting the same information, so I am hoping for the same results.

Just wanted to make sure everyone is aware that ICC funds can be used in concert with rebuiling. Make sure you get competitive bids on demolishing your home as the remaining funds can be applied to the foundation of the new structure. Any questions can be directed to the finance comittee at 504.610.3334

I have been trying to demo my home since October, but it has been delayed by the various "hoops" you read about here. State Farm initially told me the same 3 things you see here:
1. Signed Contract
2. Permit
3. Ltr of Substantial Damage (as if they didn't know it was substantially damaged on Aug 30, or when they paid my flood policy max)

After failed fax and telephone attempts, visits to City Hall finally produced a letter. After weeks, SF notified me that it wasn't good enough. They gave me a sample letter and said it has to say this, this, and that ( as if I could make the CNO change their letter). After miraculously getting my demo contractor to get City Hall to reword the letter, now SF tells me I need a 4th document, an elevation cert. because NO is the ONLY authority which has not worded their letters as suggested.

So now it's spend money on a survey of a house I'm tearing down. After that, it's write and sign a Proof of Loss and maybe they'll release half the money. To get the final 1/2, I'll need to jump through a few more hoops including getting a "completion certificate" from City Hall.

Good luck everyone and let us know if you actually receive money, not just get "approved." BTW, I get to do it all over again for the money left over when we reconstruct the home to new code (whenever THAT comes out). Looks like we have an advisory out today!

We recieved 1/2 the money on one property and waiting for the other 1/2 this week.

State Farm Let us send in a picture of the cleard lot as proof that is was done. Call 866-210-1785 option #5 then team# 50

State Farm moved their Luling Office to Irving, TX

Tell them you were told a photo of the lot would be fine and they will approve it.

We had to get a flood evaluation as well I think it was $200 we used James Coutrie 504-836-2121

You might want to spend some money to have a pre and post appraisal done. We had a net capital loss of $370,000 which we can file on our taxes (less insurance checks). We used Jim Ruffin 504-831-4101

Thanks for the info. After seeing some other posts on the Yahoo Rebuild Lakeview forum, I have some faith that the $ will come. As for appraisals, I feel well enough qualified to do my own analysis of the loss.

With enough insurance, SBA, FEMA, ICC and tax help I just might be able to rebuild regardless of whether any CDBG grant ever comes. It sure would be nice though, eliminating the need to borrow. I'm not sure if this has been discussed, but what about just using tax losses to quantify CBDG needs?