Tips To Speed Disaster Assistance
Release Date: July 22, 2008
Release Number: 1773-028
» More Information on Missouri Severe Storms and Flooding
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- State and federal officials, who are helping Missourians recover from the devastation of the June severe storms and flooding, have some tips to speed disaster aid.
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Register by telephone or online as soon as possible. Homeowners, renters, and business owners who had damages and losses as a result of the severe storms and flooding that began on June 1 should call the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) registration line at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585 to apply for assistance. Lines are open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Online registration is also available at www.fema.gov. Remember, registering with voluntary agencies does not register you with FEMA.
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Have some simple information ready when you apply. When you call the FEMA number, have some important information at hand such as your current address; the address of the damaged property; current phone information; insurance information, if any; and your Social Security number.
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Register, even if you are insured. Your insurance coverage may not cover everything. However, FEMA disaster assistance, by law, cannot duplicate insurance coverage.
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Remember, disaster assistance covers a wide range of losses. Along with rental assistance and assistance for home repairs, disaster-related losses include damaged or lost personal property that may include anything from a wheelchair to a major appliance.
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Stay in touch and keep appointments after you have registered for disaster assistance. A FEMA inspector will make an appointment to visit your home. Make every effort to be at the damaged property for the visit, and call if you need to change the appointment.
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Return all forms promptly. After registering, you may receive a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest loan application in the mail. Fill out and return the forms promptly or visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) for SBA assistance. Even if you are not interested in a loan, complete the loan package and return it. Filling out the SBA application is a necessary step to being considered for other forms of disaster assistance; storm victims are not obligated to accept an SBA loan.
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After registering, visit a DRC to meet face-to-face with recovery specialists. If you have disaster aid questions, need help filling out an SBA loan, want to check on the status of your application, or need information on how to re-build better and stronger, you can talk with recovery specialists at any one of the DRCs listed below:
DRC Hours this week: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., through Saturday and closed on Sunday. New hours beginning Monday, July 28, are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday; and closed on Sunday.
CLARK COUNTY
Clark County Middle School
384 N. Jefferson
Kahoka, MO 63445 (closing July 26)
MARION COUNTY
Chapel Hill Professional Building
109 Virginia Street
Hannibal, MO 63401
LINCOLN COUNTY
Winfield-Foley Fire Department
2663 E. Hwy 47
Winfield, MO 63389
PIKE COUNTY
Clarksville Visitors Center
204 N. 2nd Street
Clarksville, MO 63336
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: Tuesday, 22-Jul-2008 15:02:38