FEMA Program Provides Help for Special Needs 

Release Date: February 7, 2006
Release Number: 1606-130

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AUSTIN, Texas -- All disaster victims who register for help with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) receive individual attention. But for those who require assistance beyond that of the general population, FEMA has a Special Needs department.

Operating under the general umbrella of FEMA's Individual Assistance program, Special Needs personnel help the elderly and disabled, among other special cases, reconnect with the social service agencies they had elsewhere. Some disaster victims have never had to access these services before but now find themselves in a position of need.

Operators staffing the customer service lines at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) and TTY 1-800-462-7585 refer some disaster victims to Special Needs, while others come to the attention of field workers assigned to FEMA's Community Relations (CR) section. At the outset of a disaster, CR teams fan out into the community, connecting with local government officials and community organizations to explain FEMA's role. In the process, CR teams often talk to disaster victims one-on-one.

Another major task for Special Needs is finding accessible housing for individuals with impaired mobility, and helping those incapable of handling the registration and claims process due to mental and emotional disabilities.

Like the Special Needs group, FEMA's Voluntary Agency Liaison group, or VAL, also connects FEMA clients with non-profit organizations, many of them faith-based. Non-profits have access to programs and services that can help disaster victims stretch available funds.

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 14:04:37