Officials still urging residents to register with FEMA

Recovery officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency urge all Alabama residents who have registered for assistance to stay in close touch with FEMA throughout the recovery process, especially during the first weeks after registration when FEMA housing inspectors must contact applicants to view damages.

For individuals and families displaced by the disaster, any changes in contact phone numbers should be updated immediately after any move. If a relative’s number is given, applicants should check in often to see if FEMA has been trying to set up an appointment. If the applicant has a mobile telephone, that number should be provided to FEMA during registration or a good contact number.

Selecting the helpline option at the toll-free FEMA registration line at 800-621-FEMA (3362) – or 800-462-7585 (TTY) for people with speech or hearing disabilities – provides a quick and easy way for registered applicants to update contact information and check on the status of their application. Both lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, until further notice. Multilingual specialists are available at the helpline.

When calling the helpline, applicants should have their unique application identification number available so the correct file can be located quickly and securely. This number is given at the completion of the initial application process.

Recovery is a long-term process for individuals and communities. By staying in touch, possible assistance can proceed quickly and more effectively.

Carol Hector-Harris, a public information officer with FEMA, said it’s still important for people who haven’t registered yet to continue to do so because FEMA officials can only help the people they know about.

“One group of people who always seem to be hesitant to register for assistance are the senior citizens,” Hector-Harris said. “Many of them feel that if they register for assistance from FEMA, they’ll be taking something away from a family with young children or someone else who needs the assistance more than they do, but that’s not the case.

“If you sign up for assistance, it doesn’t take away from anyone else. No two households are the same, and we treat each case on an individual basis.”

As of Wednesday, residents in 42 Alabama counties are now eligible to register with FEMA for disaster assistance and almost 54,000 have taken advantage of this opportunity. All others in these 42 counties who have uninsured damages need to register now at 800-621-FEMA, online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or use a smartphone and go to m.fema.gov. For the speech or hearing impaired, the TTY number is 800-462-7585.

Those needing assistance are urged to apply because FEMA officials say the proof of assistance is in the numbers:

• Nearly $28 million has been approved for individual assistance, including $20 million for housing assistance. Individual assistance for homeowners and renters can include grants to help pay for rental housing, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance or other assistance programs.

• More than $7.3 million has been approved for other needs assistance, which can include medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial costs.

• More than 19,000 home inspections have been completed. FEMA inspections are free. When the inspector arrives, you must be able to show valid identification, proof of ownership or occupancy. A tax bill, deed, mortgage receipt, insurance policy with the address on it, a rental lease or receipt, or a utility bill or any other document that shows proof of occupancy.

• More than 7,400 people have visited the 26 Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) around the state. The DRC in Franklin County is located at the Russellville Park and Recreation Center (on Ash Avenue behind the old Russellville Wal-Mart). The center is open 7 days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. If transportation is needed, please call 205-993-4242.

• More than 200 FEMA community relations specialists are now in the field knocking on doors, getting the word out about registration and available assistance. While many people are there to help, survivors should be on the alert for fraud and scam artists. FEMA representatives do not ask for fees in exchange for services. The FEMA disaster fraud hotline number is 866-720-5721 and the state’s Office of Consumer Affairs is 800-392-5658.

• More than 28,000 U.S. Small Business Administration loan applications have been issued. The SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses and non-profits recover losses not covered by insurance. If a FEMA registrant receives a SBA loan package, it must be completed. SBA representatives are at the DRCs to answer questions and to assist with the completion of the SBA forms. SBA does not charge a fee for its assistance. If a loan is denied, the registrant is then referred back to FEMA for further assistance. The SBA’s customer service center number is 800-659-2955 (800-8339 TTY). Those who have lost their jobs due to the tornadoes should file for unemployment compensation.