Less Than One Month Left To Register For Disaster Assistance
September 2 Registration Deadline Approaching
Release Date: August 7, 2006
Release Number: 1649-046
» More Information on Pennsylvania Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides
HARRISBURG, Pa. -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) are reminding Pennsylvania residents living in disaster-designated counties to register for assistance if they have not done so.
Homeowners, renters, and business owners who live in Berks, Bradford, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Columbia, Dauphin, Franklin, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lebanon, Luzerne, Monroe, Montgomery, Montour, Northampton, Northumberland, Pike, Schuylkill, Susquehanna, Wayne, or Wyoming counties, may be eligible for disaster assistance.
“September 2 is just around the corner,” said Commonwealth Coordinating Officer James R. Joseph. “Residents should register for disaster assistance now to get the process moving forward.”
Many disaster victims delay registering for many reasons, such as waiting for their insurance claims to be paid, not understanding the disaster assistance process, or believing they are ineligible for disaster aid. Some also believe that because they have flood insurance or make too much money they will not be eligible for federal and state disaster assistance, but that may not be true. There are many factors that are considered when determining eligibility. The best way to find out if you are eligible is to register.
“Disaster assistance is intended to help those affected by the disasters work towards recovery,” commented Federal Coordinating Officer Tom Davies. “Housing and other needs assistance grants, as well as low-interest disaster loans, are available to eligible applicants.”
Pennsylvanians can register for assistance by calling FEMA’s toll-free number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the hearing- and speech-impaired. Both numbers are available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week until further notice. Multilingual operators are also available to answer your call. Those with Internet access can register online at www.fema.gov.
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. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Monday, 07-Aug-2006 11:53:00