FEMA Stresses To Evacuees the Importance of Updating Their Addresses 

Release Date: March 21, 2006
Release Number: 1603-409

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BATON ROUGE, La. -- Residents of Louisiana who were displaced as a result of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and have applied for federal and state disaster assistance should submit a new change of address, particularly if they have moved more than once.

Applicants who have already registered with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) need to check their applications frequently to ensure their contact information (address, phone number) is up-to-date.

"It is very important for applicants to provide a change of address each and every time they move," said Scott Wells, FEMA's federal coordinating officer. "This will ensure that their mail will be forwarded to the proper address."

To update their address with FEMA, applicants should call 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the speech- and hearing-impaired.

To put in a change of address with the U.S. Postal Service, applicants may visit any U.S. Post Office or use the postal service telephone or internet change of address options.

Applicants can also go online at www.usps.com to file a change of address or call 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777). If you have no telephone service or internet access, you may go the nearest post office and complete a change of address form.

If you are a victim of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and you have not registered for disaster assistance, you may do so now by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). FEMA's registration deadline is April 10.

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: Tuesday, 21-Mar-2006 08:35:04