Tips To Speed Disaster Assistance
Release Date: September 18, 2007
Release Number: 1717-028
» More Information on Minnesota Severe Storms and Flooding
ROCHESTER, Minn. -- The following are some tips to speed assistance resulting from the severe storms and flooding that struck southeastern Minnesota in August, according to officials from Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
- Register by telephone or online as soon as possible. Homeowners, renters and business owners who had losses as a result of the severe storms and flooding of Aug 18-31, 2007, should call FEMA's registration line at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) to apply for assistance. Individuals with hearing or speech impairments can call (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. The lines are open daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. (local time). You can also register online at www.fema.gov. Remember that registering with voluntary agencies such as the American Red Cross does not register you with FEMA.
- If you haven't heard back from FEMA within 10 to 14 days of registering, call back to check on the status of your application.
- Have some simple information ready when you apply. When you call the FEMA number, have at hand your legal name; your current address; the address of the damaged property; current phone information; insurance information, if any; and your social security number.
- Register even if you are insured. Your insurance coverage may not cover everything. However, by law FEMA disaster assistance cannot duplicate insurance coverage.
- Remember, disaster assistance covers a wide range of losses. Disaster-related damage or loss of personal property, from wheelchairs to major appliances, may qualify for some form of federal or state assistance.
- Keep appointments after you have registered for disaster assistance. A FEMA inspector will make an appointment to visit your home. Make every effort to be at the damaged property for the visit, and call if you need to change the appointment.
- Stay in touch with FEMA. Be sure to call the toll-free numbers listed above to update your contact information if you move or get a new phone number.
- Visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) to meet face-to-face with recovery specialists. If you have questions or need more information, you can go to centers open in Rushford (Fillmore County), Rochester (Olmsted County) and Winona (Winona County). DRCs offer one-stop shopping for disaster recovery information.
- Return all forms promptly. After registering, you may receive a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest loan application package in the mail. Fill out and return these forms promptly, or visit a DRC or SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center for assistance. Even if you aren't interested in a loan, complete the loan package and return it; filling out the SBA application is a necessary step to being considered for other forms of disaster assistance. However, storm victims are not obligated to accept an SBA loan.
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: Tuesday, 18-Sep-2007 14:54:59