FEMA Provides Several Options To Get Answers To Disaster Assistance Questions
Release Date: October 27, 2004
Release Number: 1539-233
» More Information on Florida Hurricane Jeanne
» More Information on Florida Hurricane Ivan
» More Information on Florida Hurricane Charley and Tropical Storm Bonnie
» More Information on Florida Hurricane Frances
This summer’s hurricanes and accompanying severe storms and flooding have affected millions across the United States. While moving ahead in the recovery process, it is natural that individuals have questions about assistance programs and what aid may be available. The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides individuals with several methods of getting important recovery information:
Read the booklet “Help After a Disaster.” Once you apply for disaster assistance from FEMA, FEMA will mail you a booklet called “Help After a Disaster: Applicant’s Guide to the Individuals and Households Program.” The Applicant’s Guide is also available on the Internet at www.fema.gov/about/process. This is a very useful publication that explains how FEMA’s disaster assistance program works; describes additional kinds of help you can receive from other federal, state and voluntary agencies, and gives you many important tips on how to make all these programs work best for you. FEMA officials urge you to look in the Applicant’s Guide first for answers to any questions about disaster assistance.
Visit a Disaster Recovery Center: FEMA representatives at the Disaster Recovery Center can answer your questions and tell you the status of your application. Representatives of the Small Business Administration will also be there. Check your local news media for the location of a center near you or log on to www.fema.gov, click on “Recovery Information” and then click on your state. Note that Disaster Recovery Centers are not open in all states.
Log on to www.fema.gov. The FEMA web site provides a wealth of information. On the home page you will see a button labeled “Recovery Information.” This page includes a list of questions that are updated frequently to cover current issues and concerns. FEMA urges you to check the FAQs frequently for new information.
Call FEMA’s Helpline: In addition to answering your questions, the Helpline representative can tell you the status of your application for FEMA disaster assistance. Call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). The hearing impaired may call TTY: 1-800-462-7585. The Helpline is open from 6 a.m. to midnight, EDT. Because of the large number of individuals with questions, FEMA recommends calling after 6 p.m. or on weekends when fewer people are trying to call.
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA’s continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 27-Oct-2004 17:31:41