Disaster Aid Applicants Urged to Update Contact Information 

Release Date: March 28, 2006
Release Number: 1605-201

» More Information on Alabama Hurricane Katrina

MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Alabamians who suffered damages from Hurricane Katrina and whose address or contact information has changed recently or since their original registration are urged to get in touch with the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). It is important that applicants update their records. Failure to do so may result in a delay in receiving assistance or benefits.

Homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained damage from the hurricane are urged to call the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585 for the speech- or hearing-impaired. Both lines are open from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. (CST) seven days a week until further notice. Please have your FEMA registration ID number handy when you call.

Applicants with access to a computer can also register online by entering the FEMA website at www.fema.gov. Look for and click on the words "Apply online (Online Individual Assistance Center)" located at the top right side of the page. Follow the prompts to step 3: "Check the Status of Your Application."

"If you had damage, it is up to you to make sure your contact information is up to date," said Michael Bolch, federal coordinating officer. "We want to make every effort to reach all the disaster victims and ensure that they receive the assistance they are entitled to for eligible losses, but without correct information, that makes our job difficult."

Those who were affected by Katrina may qualify for help under a wide-range of federal and state programs. These include temporary disaster housing assistance; SBA low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses; and assistance for disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

To date, more than 115,000 applications for assistance have been received by FEMA and the state of Alabama.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 28-Mar-2006 10:55:05