Emergency Assistance Flowing to Gulf Coast
FEMA Distributes $450 Million to Victims of Hurricane Katrina
Release Date: September 9, 2005
Release Number: HQ-05-232
» More Information on Mississippi Hurricane Katrina
» More Information on Alabama Hurricane Katrina
» More Information on Louisiana Hurricane Katrina
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Nearly $460 million in expedited aid to individuals has been provided by the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency in the 48 hours since the agency activated the expedited assistance program. More than 230,000 eligible households are receiving these payments of $2,000 to help pay for their emergency needs of food, shelter, clothing, personal necessities and medical needs.
"It is time to help those hit hardest by this storm to start the recovery process," said Michael D. Brown, Homeland Security's Principal Federal Official for Hurricane Katrina. "The need is urgent and we are doing all we can to see that those eligible for assistance get it as soon as possible."
These expedited assistance payments are flowing out to individuals through electronic funds transfer to bank accounts and through mailed checks. Individuals are applying via FEMA's online registration tool at www.fema.gov or by calling toll-free, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) (TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the hearing or speech impaired). FEMA personnel also are setting up disaster--recovery centers throughout the most damaged areas of the Gulf Coast to provide person-to-person assistance, and are onsite in large shelters in Texas using a debit card as a means for distribution to that large population.
These $2,000 payments are just an initial emergency first installment. Those eligible will be awarded further federal assistance through FEMA, as assistance for destroyed homes, property and other needs assistance. Individuals calling in or getting on-line need only register once, as this triggers both the expedited assistance as well as any further assistance for which they are eligible. The maximum assistance per household through FEMA is $26,500.
FEMA has sent out award payments to displaced individuals in all 50 states, and the District of Columbia where victims of Hurricane Katrina have evacuated.
Those impacted from Hurricane Katrina are encouraged to apply now online or by telephone with FEMA. FEMA has operators taking registrations 24 hours a day and is increasing the intake capability daily. With so many victims from the storm registering, FEMA encourages patience and suggests calling or registering online during the off hours of 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. and to be ready with needed information. For those unable to register in the days immediately following the disaster, registration will remain open for many months.
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: Friday, 14-Oct-2005 09:05:13