How to Apply for Federal-State Disaster Assistance
Release Date: August 28, 2008
Release Number: 1785-004
» More Information on Florida Tropical Storm Fay
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Disaster assistance is now available for people in Brevard, Hendry, Okeechobee, St. Lucie and Volusia counties who suffered losses related to Tropical Storm Fay. Disaster officials with the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urge people with uninsured or underinsured losses to register as soon as possible.
How do people apply for disaster assistance?
People can register online at www.fema.gov or call FEMA's toll free registration number, 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585 for the hearing- or speech-impaired. Both numbers are operational between 7 a.m. and midnight seven days a week until further notice. It will take about 15 minutes to complete the process. Before applicants call or go online, they should gather the following basic information to speed the process:
- Social Security number;
- Telephone number where he or she can be reached;
- Address of the damaged property;
- Current mailing address;
- Brief description of disaster-related damages and losses;
- Insurance information; and
- Direct deposit information to help speed delivery of funds.
Is there any cost associated with registering for disaster assistance?
No. There are no costs related to registering for or receiving federal disaster assistance. If an applicant is asked to pay for federal disaster assistance, contact the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General hotline at 800-323-8603.
What types of assistance may be provided?
The following list describes some of the types of assistance that may be available to eligible applicants through FEMA's Individuals and Households Program (IHP):
- Temporary Housing - homeowners and renters receive funds to rent a different place to live or a temporary housing unit when rental properties are not available.
- Repair - homeowners receive grants to repair damage from the disaster that is not covered by insurance. The goal is to make the damaged home safe and sanitary.
- Replacement - under rare conditions, homeowners receive limited funds to replace their disaster damaged home.
- Semi-Permanent or Permanent Housing Construction - homeowners assistance toward the construction of a new home occurs only in very unusual situations, in locations specified by FEMA, where no other type of housing is possible.
- Other Needs Assistance (ONA) - applicants receive grants for necessary and serious needs caused by the disaster. This includes medical, dental, funeral, personal property, transportation, vehicle repair or replacement, moving and storage, and other expenses that FEMA approves. The homeowner may need to apply for an SBA loan before receiving this type of assistance.
Why is the SBA application important?
Completing and returning an SBA application is an essential part of the recovery process. If an applicant is found ineligible for an SBA loan, he or she may be referred for ONA or to other disaster services agencies. People may get information by calling SBA's Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or (800-877-8339 for the speech- or hearing-impaired) or by sending an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or visiting www.sba.gov.
What assistance can an applicant expect to receive?
FEMA disaster assistance is to help them get safe and sanitary housing and meet other critical needs so they can begin their long-term recovery. Assistance is not automatic, but is calculated based on the losses of each individual or household that files and qualifies.
What if someone has insurance?
Renters or homeowners who suffered any damage or loss should apply for assistance; there is no need to wait for an insurance inspection. When an insurance inspection is conducted, remember insurance coverage may not be adequate and some foundation damage may not show up until later. If an insurance settlement is delayed, call FEMA. Also call FEMA if the settlement does not cover losses or if the additional living expense benefit is exhausted. Reminder, failure to file with an insurance company within 12 months can affect a person's eligibility for FEMA assistance.
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: Friday, 29-Aug-2008 08:14:28