Call to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance

 

Release Date: August 16, 2011
Release Number: 4012-001

» More Information on Missouri Flooding

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Residents in six Missouri counties are now eligible for federal Individual Assistance programs offered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Anyone in those counties who suffered damage from the recent flooding can register with FEMA online or by phone.

Survivors of the recent flooding in Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Holt, Lafayette and Platte Counties who suffered damage from flooding between June 1, 201l and Aug. 1, 2011, may apply for disaster assistance with FEMA -- even if they have insurance or aren't sure they are eligible.

By registering, applicants can be considered for assistance from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Assistance could include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious, necessary disaster-related expenses such as damaged personal property, medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs. Low-interest loans from the SBA also will be available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.

Residents are encouraged to register with FEMA even if they have insurance. Federal disaster assistance will not duplicate insurance benefits, but may provide for some uncovered losses. Applicants may be eligible for assistance with serious, necessary expenses not covered by insurance.

Registration with FEMA is required separately from registration with any other disaster relief organizations.

How to Register:

Register by phone at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585 for those with access or functional needs. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate seven days a week, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, until further notice. Multilanguage assistance is available. Individuals can also register online at http://www.disasterassistance.gov/ or by smartphone at m.fema.gov.

• When registering, applicants should provide current contact information, insurance information, a brief description of damages sustained as well as the specific location of damaged property.


• Individuals who have insurance should contact their agents before registering with FEMA. Don't wait for an insurance settlement to apply.


• Those who received an SBA low-interest disaster loan application should fill it out and return it. Returning the application does not obligate anyone to accept an SBA loan, but the application must be filled out in order for individuals to be considered for other types of disaster assistance.


• Among the top five reasons applicants fail to receive federal assistance grants is FEMA's inability to contact them after they apply. Be sure to keep FEMA informed of any change in telephone number and/or mailing address.

For More Information or Questions

For any assistance along the way, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362), or TTY 800-462-7585, and select the language option you require.

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.