The Application Process-Calling 1-800 621-FEMA
Release Date: January 4, 2005
Release Number: 1539-331
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ORLANDO, Fla. -- What should an applicant expect when calling the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 1-800 number to apply for disaster assistance?
Applicants will reach an automated recording and will be asked to select English or Spanish. Once the selection is made the actual application process begins. Callers will be advised to have paper and pen available for taking notes. They will then be asked:
- What is the ZIP code where the damage occurred?
Then, because the same call-in number is used to follow-up on a caller’s application status they will be given options. Option 1 will take them to the registration process. They will be advised to have the following information available:
- The date the damage occurred.
- The caller’s Social Security Number.
- The address of the damaged property.
- An address and telephone number where the applicant can be reached, to receive FEMA information and/or to set up an appointment for an inspection. (An inspector will call within 7-10 days to set up an appointment.)
- Estimated family income.
- Insurance information.
- County where the damage took place.
Applicants will be given a seven-digit registration number. This number and the Social Security Number become the means of identification when calling in to report changes in the caller’s information or to request status on their case.
Once the operator has all the above information and based on the information provided by the applicant, mainly income, damages and insurance, the caller is given information about FEMA programs and other possible assistance available. Some of these programs may be based on the specific needs identified during the interview.
A copy of the application and a copy of “Help After a Disaster, Applicant’s Guide to the Individuals & Households Program,” will be sent to the caller. They will also be sent letters explaining any assistance being provided or why they were not eligible for certain types of assistance.
Based on each applicant's information they may also be mailed a loan application from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Information provided on the loan application helps determine what type of additional assistance is available, including grants. Often applicants will be forwarded directly to an SBA employee for more information about the low-interest loan program.
Applicants may also register online at the FEMA website http://www.fema.gov by clicking on the red “hot-link” button in the upper right-hand portion of the page marked “Register for Disaster Assistance Online.”
Floridians who experienced damage or loss from the four 2004 hurricanes are urged to call FEMA’s toll-free teleregistration number, 1-800-621-FEMA to register before the February 28, 2005 deadline. The TTY number is 1-800- 462-7585 for speech- or hearing-impaired. These numbers are in operation 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST seven days a week through Jan. 8, 2005. After Jan. 8, 2005, the hours of operation will be 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST.
FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 04-Jan-2005 19:34:52