Three Days Left To Register For Fema Disaster Aid; SBA Applications To Close March 11, Too
Release Date: March 9, 2006
Release Number: 1606-151
» More Information on Texas Hurricane Rita
AUSTIN, Texas -- March 11, 2006, is the last day for unregistered evacuees from hurricanes Katrina and Rita to apply for assistance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency. Applicants can register by applying online at www.fema.gov or by calling FEMA toll-free at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585. Assistance is available in multiple languages.
The most common form of housing help from FEMA is rental assistance. Other assistance may include grants to help with minor home repairs; grants to replace furniture and personal property not covered by insurance; money for necessary expenses and serious needs, such as funeral expenses, caused by the disaster; and low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration for homeowners and business owners. March 11 is the deadline to apply for SBA assistance.
As stewards of taxpayer dollars, FEMA routinely requires proof of occupancy, ownership, residency, insurance verification or other information. FEMA also actively prosecutes those who make false claims for assistance. FEMA continues to partner with state and local governments, voluntary agencies, faith-based organizations and recovery coalitions to help hurricane survivors with legitimate, disaster-related needs that cannot be met through FEMA programs.
More than 634,424 Rita and Katrina survivors in Texas have applied for assistance from FEMA. Since the hurricanes struck last year, the agency has approved some $1.41 billion in Individual and Other Needs Assistance for eligible applicants in the state. (Figures are as of close of business March 5, 2006.)
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Thursday, 25-May-2006 14:00:13