Holiday Hours For Applying For Disaster Assistance
Release Date: December 22, 2004
Release Number: 1539-326
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ORLANDO, Fla. -- New hours for applying for disaster assistance have been announced by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The teleregistration and TTY numbers will operate on the normal schedule of 6 a.m. to midnight through Dec. 23.
On Dec. 24 and 25 the teleregistration and TTY offices will be closed. Starting on Sunday, Dec. 26 the hours will change to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week until further notice. Hours of operation for the Florida Hurricane Housing Hotline (1-888-472-1727) will be 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. starting Sunday, Dec. 26 as well.
Persons who still need to register for assistance for damages caused by one or more of the four 2004 hurricanes that made landfall in Florida—Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne—should call the FEMA toll-free registration number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for those who are speech- or hearing-impaired. Applicants may also register online by going to the FEMA website at http://www.fema.gov and clicking on the red “hot-link” button in the upper right-hand portion of the page marked “Register for Disaster Assistance Online.”
“We want to ensure that all Floridians who are qualified for assistance are able to register for all help available to them,” said Craig Fugate, state coordinating officer.
“Even if the toll-free numbers are closed you can still register on line,” added Bill Carwile, federal coordinating officer. “We hope everyone who needs our help will apply as soon as possible.”
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: Wednesday, 22-Dec-2004 13:31:02