Grant Application interface changes

[Almarante51]

Hmmm,

I logged into the Grant application interface today, and found that there are several new additions to the interface. There is a section to view the Direct Deposit form, and other sections (not yet implemented) to view the awards, and another for administering the grant. I wonder what/why these items are there now...






Andrew

[jmkfire]

I logged in to our application and found the same thing. We haven't heard anything from FEMA yet. What I found interesting was the fact that it allowed me to edit some information that had changed since I submitted the application. Well I printed a copy of the 1199A just for luck any way! I'm just wondering if I should go ahead and have the bank fill in the information and send it to FEMA or wait some more?
Stay Safe Out There!

[car120]

I checked our application too, ours also has the 1199A link. I'm willing to bet that's been added to all of 'em. I'm not so sure I'd send the completed form in, or even have the bank fill in their info until you get some instruction to do so.

Of course I'm hoping I'm dead wrong. Any glimmer of hope, right guys?

However I didn't see anything (links) to view the awards or administering the grant sections though. Andrew (Almarante51) where are (should be?) those listed on the application page???

[car120]

Ooops, never mind. I've now seen them up top on the 1199A page. I was a little hesitant to click on that from the application status, but I did anyway.

I hope we get told to print it out and send it in. Keeping our fingers, toes, legs, eyes and anything else that can be - crossed.;)

Stay safe out there!!!

[ffpm43]

OK..... The email that some of recieved last week had the address to return the 1199A, I check the application page for the new interfaces, and yes, the view 1199A link is there, but with a more specific reply address... including an actual persons name. I'm resending mine tomorrow to that individual. (Sylvia A. Carroll)
Andrew... my links did not include awards or administration.....sounds interesting.

[car120]

ffpm43 - after clicking the view 1199A form from the application status page, look toward the top of the page. There's blocks with white letters "awards" "grant administration" "close."

I'm sure its being set up for departments that win, so they can take care of the paperwork after getting the $$$$.

Is there anyone out there that does NOT have the 1199A link in the 'actions' box of their application status page (the page that comes up after logging in with your user name and password)??? It appears right under "view application"

[car120]

oops! the letters are grey, right under the FEMA seal and e-grants.fema.gov (that's in white letters) on the top left of the Direct Deposit 1199A page.
"Application" "Awards" "Grant Management" & "Closeout"

[webteam]

Folks here are some general things you should all be thinking about, based on what we know now:


a) Please be patient. This process will take months. It may be a few weeks before those who 'defenitely' won't be getting an award are notified, and months before everyone who is knows for sure.

b) Regardless of what links are in the application online, you should wait for official instructions from a FEMA representative and follow THOSE directions given by that person. Doing otherwise, may cause delays and further prolong the process for both you and others.

c) Try not to read too much into anything. Until your political represnetative, a FEMA representative, or an official announcement comes from FEMA, don't presume your Department will receieve a grant. No one wants to be dissapointed, but only about 5,500 of the 19,000 departments that applied will actually receive a grant. 1 in 4 odds aern't bad, but please be patient for a long process.

d) We are trying to keep everyone informed and getting as much information from FEMA as we can in advance of and during the awards process, based on the many e-mails we get every day from users asking questions or requesting we look into certain aspects. But please don't e-mail specific requests about your department as we would not have that information until the same time as the official announcement. We are in near daily contact with FEMA representatives to get as much information as possible and will continue to pass it along as quickly and accurately as possible.

Again, please try to be patient. It will be a long process and if it works this year, you can expect it will only get easier and more streamlined as FEMA moves forward with the program.

Thanks
WebTeam

[jmkfire]

I recieved an e-mail from USFA Grants/FEMA about my inquiry about the SF1199A on our Depts. application site. The response stated that if we had recieved an e-mail from them requesting that information to fill it out and send it to them as soon as was convient for us.
Well, since we haven't recieved any e-mail as of late, it's just going to sit here until we hear something one way or the other.
Stay Safe!!

[timm1960]

I checked yesterday and I could look at the 1199 form, but today it is no longer an option. Has this happened to anyone else or is this a bad sign????:mad: :mad:

[PeteLO655]

Guys,
I have also lost this link. I think what happened was...
FEMA started receiving alot of traffic, phone calls, emails, etc...
about either the form, or the error that many people were getting.
So, in turn, I think they may have disabled that link. This is just my thinking, but it could be true. I really would not read to much into anything at this point. I could not even view the form, there was some sort of Java Script error that was being generated. I heard nothing from FEMA so I did not worry to much about it. I am sure the conspiracy is flying though.:) As human nature calls it, we are all very anxious and looking for any indications we can. Hang tight folks, it couls be a long wait for some of us. Good luck to all!!

Pete

[jmkfire]

This is really odd. After reading the previous 2 posts, I went to our application and the link and form is still there. Although now there is instructions highlighted in red on which button to push to print the form. We still haven't heard anything from FEMA yet. I'm trying not to get my hopes up, but if they were removing the link to the form why not remove it from all applications? Just curious.
Stay Safe!!!!!!

[timm1960]

I checked again, but no longer have the link. Anyone else had this happen. Has anyone spoke to FEMA about this?

[PeteLO655]

We have not been able to see the link for two days now.
I am not sure what to think anymore. Like I said earlier,
there could have been a dozen reasons they pulled that link.
Maybe the people who still have access are going to be contacted soon or something. I don't know. I actually felt that we had a chance when I saw that link appear there. Honestly though, we did ask for a lot of money for a vehicle and I don't think we will get it. Nice justification and all truth, but I am sure a pro grant writer could out do this young hillbilly. We don't have the money to pay a pro, or lobby to our congressman, so we did it ourselves, as I am sure many of us did. Heck, it took us almost 40 years to acquire the funds to get the engine we have now.
To those who did their own grant writing, you all get an A for effort in my opinion. There is a certain amount of pride that goes along with that too. I know I spent a good 4 months doing research and stuff like that, but in the end will it matter? I don't know.

Good luck to us all.
Hang in there.

[Almarante51]

I would have to guess that they had a problem with their web pages. Probably the links we all saw were meant only to be viewed internally by the grant processing personel, but a minor glitch caused all of us to be able to view them. Who knows. It was a breif moment of hope to get our grant. Now I am waiting like everyone else again, hoping not to get that dreaded correspondence "Dear sir, We regret...."

But for now it is a patience tester.


L8r

[lindengunny]

I just ran across this thread. Received an email from FEMA last week directing us to mail in an updated copy of form 1199A. Did so and it arrived yesterday. Just checked the link and it is still there.

Also, does anyone know the status of House Bill HR 4775 which could possibly fund an additional $300 mil. THIS YEAR to the FIRE Act grant program?

Good luck all..............

[PeteLO655]

congratulations!! What did you get, if I may ask.

[lindengunny]

My fault - I should have written this a little better. I was referring to the Form 1199A arriving at FEMA Hq yesterday(tracked via USPS site). We are still waiting also.

[jmkfire]

I got the questionaire e-mail from FEMA today and the SF1199A is still there on our application site. I'm hoping this is a good sign!
Stay Safe!!!!!!

[PeteLO655]

Keep us in the loop John.
Good luck to ya!
Pete

[erniefire]

We got 1199 email requests on both grants we filled out last week.

[jboczek]

Erniefire,
What do you mean "both" grants? I thought we were only allowed one?

[timm1960]

I sent an e-mail to FEMA on why myself and several other departments used to be able to see the 1199 form, but can't anymore and why some still can see it. No response yet, but I will keep everyone informed. If anyone else knows why or has encountered the same change, let me know.

Thanks:rolleyes:

[jmkfire]

Attached is the response I recieved from FEMA when I asked them about the 1199A. It was simple and at the time I recieved this, I hadn't recieved the question e-mail. I still haven't recieved any notification to print the form yet. It is still on our app. site.
Stay Safe!!!

[erniefire]

What I mean by "both" is we have a town and a rural district that is two fire depeartments, we were notified on both to the tune of 306,000 for apparatus.

[timm1960]

Here is the reply I receied from FEMA when I asked why I no longer have the 1199 link, but used to.

FEMA:
You recieved that link in error. The applicants that recieved a
notification from the Program Office should only have this link. If you
received an email requesting you to fill one out, you would have access to
that link. Sorry for the confusion, it was a system glitch.

Sincerely,

Pinky Sheets
FIRE Grants Support Mgr.


Now what do I think? Grant or no grant? Yes,
You recieved that link in error. The applicants that recieved a
notification from the Program Office should only have this link. If you
received an email requesting you to fill one out, you would have access to
that link. Sorry for the confusion, it was a system glitch.

Sincerely,

Pinky Sheets
FIRE Grants Support Mgr.





Now what do I think? Grant or no grant?
:confused: :confused:

[Almarante51]

Hmmm. Maybe I dont want to know what I think about that.:rolleyes:
But at this point, still NO news is GOOD news. I am really not looking forward though to that "Regret" letter/email.

[FSRIZZIO]

Hell, half the fun is waitin' to see what happens.:D :D

[engel702]

erniefire
I hope that you meant that you filled out the 1199 requests last week and not the grant applications??


Terry:eek:

[PeteLO655]

guys, got the letter requesting me to fill out the 1199 form today.
Went to site and the link was not there. Called the person who emailed me from FEMA. He said it should be there. He is working to find out why it is not there. At no point have I received the questionare about being able to keep our end of the bargain.
I will keep yall informed.

Pete

[PeteLO655]

Oh man. Still waiting on FEMA to get back to me as to why I can't see the link. Ugg!! This is like when you were a kid at Christmas wanting that remote control monster truck and you don't know if you parents got it for ya!! Ha ha! The suspense is killing me. I bet it will end up being a mistake, I can see this coming already. Still, will keep ya'll infomed.
Stay safe god bless.

Pete

[077SKI]

At least some of you are getting a "taste" of victory.
I have no link, no email or letter as of yet(Letter is
probably lost in the mail). Keeping my fingers crossed.

Like so many have said before, NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS(Maybe)
Good Luck everyone!!

[PeteLO655]

Still no word back from FEMA. The gentleman I spoke to yesterday still did not call me back. I am sure this was a mistake and I was not supposed to get this email. Heck, he won't even answer his phone, it goes right into his voice mail. Oh well, wait and see, wait and see.

Pete

[klondikefire]

hey pete if go to your application there is a link right next to where the 1199 link was i think it is messages or message board. i used this last week to ask fema a few question and i got a response the next day. might want to try it...........

[PeteLO655]

Klondike,
yep, I used it today. I mean they just have me hanging here, I don't wanna be a pest, but I need to know what to do. Who knows anymore.

Pete

[MLFR203]

We had the 1199 up and than laost it. It took about a week to get it back at which time I was able to print it and send it in with the bank info. Got the response I wanted today.

Good Luck.

[car120]

Mike Lacey-

Did you get either e-mail (the questionaire or the mail directing you to print it, bring it to the bank, and send it in) from FEMA before sending the form?

It seems that some are only geting the direct deposit e-mail and not the questionaire and vice-versa.

And what do you mean that you "got the response you wanted today," did your department get a grant? If that's the case ...what's the scoop? Details for us poor folks out here!!!

[PeteLO655]

Car, I only got the direct deposit email.

[MLFR203]

Yes we got both the questionnaire and the 1199 form. We got notified today from our congressman that we will be receiving the $52,000 we applied for (PPE, communication equipment & thermal imaging camera.

Keep in mine they have only given out less than 1 1/2% of the money to less than 1 1/2% of the 5500 companies eligible, which means you still have approximately a 1 in 4 chance of receiving something. Hang in there because there still is a long way to go.

Good Luck

[car120]

Fantastic Mike - congratulations to you and all the other departments out there who've won so far!!!

You're right - it's early in the game yet, so I'm not giving up any kind of hope yet. This whole process will be going on until the end of the year. Let cross our fingers that extra $300 million gets added to the FIRE ACT spending. That'll effectively double everyone's chances.

Thanks for the quick reply, and stay safe out there! Good job.

Chad

[TRFD698]

My FD hasn't received a call or an e-mail from FEMA yet, but when I access my Dept's application I have the "Fill-In Form 1199a" link, right below the "View application" link.

The link is active and I can access Form 1199a, and fill in the fields. I did have a Java script error about a week or so ago, but it has since cleared up and I am able to go in and out of the form.

[jmkfire]

I first became aware of the change on our app. site by this thread.
I went to our app and it was there. It is still there. On the 16th of July, I recieved the questionaire e-mail from FEMA and got confirmation that they recieved our responses to them. However; I haven't recieved the direct deposit e-mail at this time. The questionaire e-mail did state that our app. was favorably recommended. So I still have my fingers crossed and hope to recieve another positive request. Congrats to all who have been awarded grants so far. All the rest of us can do is still wait.
Stay Safe and good luck!

[car120]

Hang in there John, there's still a long way to go on this ride - still $325 million or so left in the pot!

I too became aware of the 1199a link here, which is still showing on our application status page. But still no word, questionaire/phone call/Direct Deposit request yet. Still crossing our fingers!

[jmkfire]

Good luck on yours as well. This is like X-mas eve, Knowing that good ol St. Nick has come to your house but not knowing if he left goodies or a lump of coal in your stocking! And you can't peek!:p
Stay Safe!!!!!

[TRFD698]

Today I noticed that my link to the 1199a form now reads "Update 1199a", where before it read "Fill-In 1199a Form."

[jmkfire]

I e-mailed FEMA (from the mail center on app site) yesterday that our bank acct info was incorrect. I found this out after I had replied to the questionaire last week. I asked them how to change that info.
This morning I recieved the direct deposit e-mail from FEMA. It told me to go to our app site that our SF1199a had been released to be updated and submit it electronically and then print the updated form and take it to the bank and mail the form back to Grants Mangement Branch. I not only recieved the e-mail at my address, but there was the same message in the mail center on our app. site. The link said update SF1199a. It was different this time. There was some information to read at the beginning of it regarding fed direct dep. rules. I updated it and clicked the submit button and it was done. The changes were then made and I could then print out the form. I was surprised at how quick I got a reply from them and that not only could I make the necessary changes, but that they wanted it signed by the bank and returned as well. Does this mean we will get a grant? I don't know, but it sure seems like a pretty goood sign to me!
Stay Safe!!!!!!!!
P.S. Check your mail center on your app. site as well as your e-mail.

[jmkfire]

Attached is a copy of what the e-mail looked like that I recieved.

[PeteLO655]

Yup, that's the one John. Imagine my excitement when I saw this in my inbox. :) Then only to find out it was an error.:( Oh well. On a brighter note, I was contacted by another gentleman from FEMA who told me that whoever gave me the premature information about being out of the running could be untrue. So, there is always hope. Will keep ya'll posted.

Stay safe,

Pete

[jmkfire]

I know how this e-mail has gotten everyones hopes up here. I can only imagine your feelings after being told that it was in error. Lets hope that they only meant that the error was sending it to you to early.:D Good luck and I hope everything works out for your dept.
Stay Safe!!!!!!!

[PeteLO655]

Hey John,
never thought of it that way!! You are quite the optimist!!:)

Good luck bud, let us know how you make out.

Pete