How A Disaster Recovery Center Can Help You
Release Date: November 3, 2003
Release Number: FNF-03-13
Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are set up in hard-hit disaster locales specifically to give people who have suffered losses in a disaster the opportunity to sit down face-to-face with state and federal recovery specialists and discuss their unique situation.
At each center, state and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) staff and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loan officers are able to provide one-on-one assistance with paperwork, answer questions and access updated information on applications already filed.
Applicants often seek information about specific aid programs, including a wide range of housing assistance, possible grants for necessary expenses or serious needs caused by the disaster, available SBA low-interest loans for homeowners, renters and businesses, "how-to" preventive measures to reduce future disaster risk and other disaster-related programs to help cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.
Visitors to any DRC first should register for assistance at 800-621-3362 (FEMA). Individuals with speech or hearing impairments who use special keyboard equipment (TTY) should call 800-462-7585. The lines are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week until further notice.
DRC sites are selected to provide a convenient, easily reached location for most of the people in disaster area. Some DRCs are mobile units, fully staffed and equipped and able to travel to outlying or hard-to-reach areas. Any applicant can go to any DRC.
Last Modified: Monday, 03-Nov-2003 08:12:44