FEMA, U.S. Postal Service Partner To Expedite Funds
Release Date: October 25, 2005
Release Number: 1606-047
» More Information on Texas Hurricane Rita
AUSTIN, Texas -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) have partnered in an exceptional program to expedite the delivery of federal disaster relief checks to victims of Hurricanes Rita and Katrina.
Approximately every four hours, FEMA forwards the approved disaster relief payment requests - whether a check or a direct deposit - to the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The Treasury then makes the payments four times daily.
FEMA checks received by the Postal Service at its Austin, Texas processing and distribution center are in turn expedited to local postal centers for delivery.
Since Sept. 14, FEMA and the Postal Service have been working to distribute U.S. Treasury checks by mail to victims and their families at temporary locations across the nation. Evacuees displaced at shelters and with host families or relatives out of state should be assured there is a concerted effort to provide them with financial relief as fast as possible.
Banks have also been working collaboratively with the government to ensure that these checks can be cashed by evacuees without regular access to accounts or identification.
Displaced residents are encouraged to file a change of address with the U.S. Postal Service so checks and other mail can be forwarded to their new temporary or permanent address. The quickest and easiest way to do this is electronically.
To date, more than 500,000 change of address notices have been filed by households in the areas most heavily affected by Hurricanes Rita and Katrina.
Hurricane victims who have computer or telephone access should utilize the Postal Service's Internet or Telephone Change of Address options. Change of addresses can be filed online at www.usps.com or by calling 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777).
Those individuals in areas without telephone service or Internet access should go to the nearest post office, complete a change of address form, and submit it to a postal retail associate at the counter or mail it. It's postage free.
In order to be eligible for the disaster relief funds, hurricane victims must register using FEMA's online registration at www.fema.gov or by calling toll-free, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. FEMA's new automated status update system allows applicants to check the status of their case and obtain basic information regarding their account, without having to speak with a FEMA operator.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 25-Oct-2005 08:15:35