Questions About Disaster Aid? Call FEMA’s Helpline 

Release Date: October 16, 2008
Release Number: 1794-017

» More Information on Mississippi Hurricane Gustav

LONG BEACH, Miss. -- A disaster-information Helpline is available to residents of Adams, Hancock, Harrison, Washington and Wilkinson counties who suffered damage or losses from Hurricane Gustav and who have applied for disaster aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.

The FEMA Helpline number is 1-800-621 FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for individuals with speech- or hearing-impairments. Storm victims may call to get information about what disaster assistance programs are available or check on the status of their application.

"People with questions about their applications or eligibility for assistance can get answers by calling this number," said FEMA's Federal Coordinating Officer Michael L. Parker. "Helpline personnel may not be able to answer every question but should be able to refer callers to the agency or organization that can."

FEMA also encourages applicants to use the Helpline if they need to reschedule an appointment with a FEMA damage inspector. The fewer delays there are in assessing disaster damages, the faster help can be on its way to those who need it.

"The disaster assistance programs can be difficult to understand and navigate," said MEMA Director Mike Womack. "But the Helpline is there to keep the process of obtaining assistance for our residents moving forward."

Storm victims can register with FEMA by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 at any time, daily. Applicants also can register online at www.fema.gov.

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Last Modified: Thursday, 16-Oct-2008 10:43:22