FEMA Partnering With Florida To Help Its Citizens Recover 

Release Date: February 5, 2007
Release Number: 1679-001

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ORLANDO, Fla. -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the State of Florida are working together to help the state’s citizens recover from last week’s tornadoes.

“The most important thing disaster victims can do right now is to register for help,” said Jesse Munoz, the official in charge of FEMA’s recovery effort. “You do that by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or, for the hearing- or speech-impaired, (TTY) 1-800-462-7585, or online at www.fema.gov.”

There have been rumors that disaster victims must settle insurance claims before applying. “Floridians who have insurance should not wait to apply for assistance,” said Deputy State Coordinating Officer Ruben Almaguer. “They will need to contact their insurance agent, but it is not necessary to do that before calling to register.”

President Bush’s disaster declaration includes four counties: Lake, Volusia, Seminole and Sumter. Once disaster victims have registered, they can follow up at a Mobile Disaster Recovery Center (MDRC). Two MDRCs opened yesterday, and two more opened today. They are located at:

1985 Laurel Manor Drive
Lady Lake

31039 Lake Mack Road
DeLand

1212 Conrad Road
New Smyrna Beach

1706 S. Woodland Boulevard
DeLand

More MDRCs will open in the next few days. All of them will operate from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

Once registered, an applicant can expect to see an inspector within a few days. After an inspector has visited, financial assistance should arrive within the week.

Community Relations (CR) teams are in the field, providing information to people in the affected areas. CR personnel, inspectors and anyone else working for FEMA will always have an official ID badge and will never ask individuals for money.

Some quick facts about assistance for individuals

HELP FOR INDIVIDUALS:

The Individuals and Households Program provides temporary help with housing and/or financial assistance with other needs.

Housing Assistance can provide funding for:

Other Needs Assistance may include funding for:

Other assistance for individuals:

FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident, initiates mitigation activities and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA works closely with state and local emergency managers, law enforcement personnel, firefighters and other first responders. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, economic status or retaliation. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, you should call FEMA toll-free at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or contact your State Office of Equal rights. If suspicious of any abuse of FEMA programs, please contact the fraud hotline at 1-800-323-8603

Last Modified: Monday, 05-Feb-2007 17:47:16