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The Three-Step Process To Disaster Assistance

Release Date: June 11, 2010
Release Number: 1917-002Factsheet

If you are one of the Oklahomans who sustained property damage or loss during the May 10-13 storms and tornadoes, you should apply for disaster assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) - even if you have insurance or believe you won't qualify for assistance.

The application process is simple, but important, because FEMA may provide assistance that can address your specific needs. Help is available to eligible individuals and businesses in Carter, Cleveland, Creek, Garvin, McIntosh, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Pottawatomie and Seminole counties.

Disaster assistance may include grants to help pay for temporary housing, emergency home repairs or other serious disaster-related expenses, such as medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs, not covered by insurance or other sources.

Also, homeowners, renters, business owners and nonprofit organizations may be eligible for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to aid recovery from losses not covered by insurance, grants or other sources.

FEMA Individual Assistance specialists also may be able to help you with referrals to volunteer agencies, advances on late insurance payments or FEMA/state disaster unemployment assistance. The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is also providing free crisis counseling to storm survivors.  

Following are the three basic steps to getting Individual Assistance funds disbursed through the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and FEMA for housing and other needs:

Step One: Registration

Register by phone at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for those with hearing or speech impairments. Specialists are standing by at the toll-free numbers seven days a week, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (CDT), until further notice. Help in other languages is available. You can register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

• If you have insurance, contact your agent before registering with FEMA.
  
• When calling FEMA, you will need: Your Social Security number, your current mailing address, the address of the damaged property, a brief description of the damages and any insurance information, including the policy number and the name of your agent, and a phone number where you can be reached.
• Fill out and return your SBA low-interest loan application if you receive one. Returning the application does not obligate you to accept an SBA loan, but it is a necessary step to be considered for grants and other forms of disaster assistance.

Step Two: Inspections

After you register, a FEMA-contracted housing inspector will call you to set up an appointment to inspect your property. There is no charge for this service, but it is a necessary step to determine damages.

Make sure your home or mailbox number is easily visible from the road. As part of the inspection process, you must provide proof of ownership or occupancy:

• Homeowners may show a tax bill, deed, mortgage payment receipt or insurance policy with the property's address.
• Renters may show a lease, rent payment receipt, utility bill or other document confirming the home was their primary residence at the time of the disaster.
• Homeowners and renters must also present a valid driver's license or other photo ID.

Step Three: Keep in Touch

Among the top five reasons applicants fail to receive federal assistance grants is FEMA's inability to contact them after they apply. FEMA tries to reach applicants numerous times before an application is denied based on an inability to contact them. It is vital that you inform FEMA of any change in telephone number and/or mailing address. This can be done via a simple call to the FEMA Helpline or a visit to the disaster assistance website.

 A Helpful Step: Disaster Recovery Centers       

For any assistance along the way - help filling out the applications, general questions or progress reports - call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or TTY 1-800-462-7585, and select the language option you require. If you would like to speak with someone face to face, FEMA encourages you to visit a Disaster Recovery Center in your area. For a list of centers, visit www.fema.gov/Oklahoma and click on the "May Tornadoes 2010" button.

Receiving a FEMA Grant

FEMA will issue funds if you are found eligible for a grant under the Individual and Households Program. If you have provided banking information to FEMA, the funds will be deposited directly into your account. This option can often speed up the process of receiving assistance.

If you do receive a check, deposit it as soon as possible. You must use the money for the disaster-related assistance for which it is intended. You will receive a letter outlining how the funds are to be spent.

For more information on Oklahoma disaster recovery, browse the features on this FEMA website at www.fema.gov/Oklahoma, visit the OEM site at www.oem.ok.gov or follow OEM on Twitter at twitter.com/okem. Users of smart phones and other mobile devices can visit m.fema.gov.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 11-Aug-2010 13:10:16 EDT