FEMA Applicants: Update Your Contact Information 

Release Date: June 12, 2006
Release Number: 1635-031

» More Information on Missouri Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Residents of Missouri who have applied for federal disaster assistance should update their contact information with the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) any time their addresses or telephone numbers change.

People who have moved but not updated their contact information with FEMA could be missing out on important correspondence or calls about temporary housing and other disaster assistance. Some federally issued checks cannot be forwarded and must be mailed directly to the recipient. For these reasons, state and federal officials urge disaster applicants to stay in touch and to update contact information immediately should they move or change telephone numbers.

"Many people provided contact information at the time they registered and have since relocated", said Tom Costello, federal coordinating officer for the Missouri disaster recovery. "We encourage everyone to update their contact information each time they move so we can provide information and assistance more quickly."

Missouri residents registered for disaster aid with FEMA may check their application online to ensure their address and phone numbers are current in the system by going to www.fema.gov and using their unique pin number. If the information is not current, inspectors and other state and federal disaster recovery officials may be unable to contact them.

To update contact information, applicants may call the FEMA helpline at: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585 for the speech- or hearing-impaired.

"It is extremely important that we have your current contact information", said Ron Reynolds, Director of the State Emergency Management Agency. "Without the newest change of address, mail cannot be forwarded and may cause important information or checks to be returned as undeliverable."

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 (NFIP). FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 13-Jun-2006 08:35:38