Registering With Voluntary Agencies For Disaster Aid Does Not Register You With FEMA
Release Date: April 29, 2009
Release Number: 1834-003
» More Information on Arkansas Severe Storms and Tornadoes
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- It is important to know that if you suffered damages and losses from the severe storms and tornadoes of April 9 and registered with a voluntary agency for assistance, it does not register you with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
You must contact FEMA to register for federal assistance. There are two easy ways to begin the FEMA application process. You may call FEMA's toll-free number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585. Lines are open daily from 8 a.m. to midnight, and multilingual operators are also available to answer your call. Residents with Internet access can also register online at www.fema.gov or www.disasterassistance.gov.
The following is important information on the registration process and what to expect when you call or register online:
- Your call is confidential, and the information will be used only to determine what type of assistance is most appropriate.
- This call is your application and usually takes only 15-20 minutes to complete. You will be asked general information about your income, your insurance and how badly your residence or business was damaged. You should give details about your housing needs.
- You will be given an application number, which will help locate your application in the system in the future. Write this number down so you will have it handy.
- Within a few days, a FEMA-contracted inspector will call you to arrange an appointment to visit your damaged home or apartment.
- Please note that FEMA-contracted inspectors and all voluntary, county, state and federal disaster-related personnel should show you official photo identification to prove their identity. If an inspector or anyone asking for access to your home cannot show you a photo ID, do not let them into your home, and call your local law enforcement agency. FEMA-contracted inspectors do not recommend repairs and never charge for their services.
- The FEMA inspection is mandatory. Before an application can be completed and approved, the location must be inspected to verify the nature and extent of damage suffered by those who have registered for federal disaster assistance. The inspector will document the damages and send that information through the appropriate channels.
- You will be asked to sign a document stating that you were lawfully present in the U.S. at the time of the disaster. You will need to present proper identification.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terrorism.
Last Modified: Thursday, 30-Apr-2009 15:40:20