NASHVILLE, Tenn.-- FEMA’s Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams will be at the Multi-Agency Recovery Center (MARC) in Pigeon Forge Monday, Dec. 19 through Friday, Dec. 23 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The teams will be at the MARC to:
Provide information about assistance available to survivors of the recent wildfires in Sevier County.
Provide help applying for federal disaster assistance;
Answer questions; and
Provide updates regarding applications.
WHERE: Multi-Agency Recovery Center (MARC)
2655 Teaster Lane
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
WHEN: Monday, Dec. 19, through Friday, Dec. 23 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Individuals who sustained losses in the wildfires in Sevier County can begin the disaster application process by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Disaster assistance applicants who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.
Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, and for other disaster-related serious needs, such as medical and dental expenses, funeral costs, or other necessary expenditures. Registering with FEMA is required for federal aid, even if the person has registered with another disaster-relief organization. Registrants must use the name that appears on their Social Security card.
Sevier County residents should register with FEMA even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but under-insured applicants may receive help after their insurance claims have been settled.
Those who already registered for disaster assistance with FEMA because of the wildfires are encouraged to stay in touch. If addresses or phone numbers change, they should be updated with FEMA as soon as possible. Missing or erroneous information could result in delays in getting a home inspection or receiving assistance.
Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) may also be available to businesses of all sizes, non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters. SBA disaster loans cannot duplicate losses compensated by insurance or benefits from other agencies or organizations. For more information about SBA loans, call SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (TTY: 800-877-8339), email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visit www.sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.
For more information on Tennessee’s disaster recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4293, twitter.com/femaregion4, facebook.com/FEMA, and fema.gov/blog, or www.tnema.org.
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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.
FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.
About the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency: TEMA’s mission is to coordinate preparedness, response and recovery from man-made, natural and technological hazards in a professional and efficient manner in concert with our stakeholders. Follow TEMA on Facebook, TNDisasterInfo, on Twitter, @T_E_M_A, and at www.tnema.org