Tips to Speed Disaster Assistance
Release Date: May 9, 2007
Release Number: 1697-009
» More Information on Texas Severe Storms and Tornadoes
EAGLE PASS, Texas -- Disaster-recovery officials who are helping people recover from the devastating storms and tornadoes of April 21-24 have some tips to speed disaster aid.
- Register by telephone or online as soon as possible. Homeowners, renters, and business owners who had losses as a result of the severe storms and tornadoes of April 21-24 should call the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) registration line at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) to apply for assistance. Individuals with hearing or speech impairments can call (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. The lines are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., daily. You can also register online at www.fema.gov. Remember registering with voluntary agencies does not register you with FEMA.
- 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.
- Register, even if you are insured. Your insurance coverage may not cover everything. However, FEMA disaster assistance, by law, cannot duplicate insurance coverage.
- Remember, disaster assistance covers a wide range of losses. Disaster-related damage or loss of personal property, anything from a wheelchair to a major appliance, may qualify for some form of federal/state assistance.
- 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.
Visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) to meet face-to-face with recovery specialists. If you have questions or need more information, you can go to centers open in: Maverick, Moore and Swisher Counties. DRCs are one-stop shopping for disaster recovery information.
- Return all forms promptly. After registering, you may receive a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest loan application package in the mail. Fill out and return these forms promptly or visit a DRC for SBA assistance. Even if you aren’t 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.
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: Wednesday, 09-May-2007 15:07:40