Automated Update For Disaster Registration Available On FEMA Helpline 

Release Date: November 25, 2008
Release Number: 1800-041

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CHICAGO, Ill. -- Need to update your disaster registration? Are you pressed for time? Officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) want people who have registered for federal disaster assistance to know there is a new and fast way to update their status.

By calling the FEMA Helpline and choosing the option for the Automated Status Update, applicants can follow a series of voice-activated prompts to speedily access their information. The Automated Status Update provides information about personal registration, eligibility status, financial compensation, the appeal process and other information, including the ability to update their current information without speaking to FEMA staff.

This is how it works:

  1. An applicant calls the toll-free FEMA Helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585;
  2. They press 1 for registration;
  3. They press 2 for the option of using the Automated Status Update; or
  4. An applicant may choose to speak in person with FEMA staff by pressing 3.

To access the Automated Status Update, applicants must provide their FEMA registration number, date of birth and the last four digits of their Social Security number. If an applicant provides inaccurate information or makes an error, the call will be forwarded to FEMA Helpline staff.

If homeowners, renters and businesses in Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, LaSalle, Peoria, Will or Woodford counties suffered damage or losses by September's flooding, they can register for federal disaster assistance until Dec. 16.

To register for disaster assistance call 800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 800-462-7585 or visit www.fema.gov. Registration is available by phone seven days a week from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. CST until further notice.

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 terror.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 26-Nov-2008 10:24:54