HARRISBURG, Pa. -- If you filed an application for disaster assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for property damaged by the recent storms, expect a call from a FEMA inspector. FEMA and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) are sending inspectors into federally declared disaster areas as soon as possible. An inspector should visit your home within a few days after you apply.

When the inspectors arrive they will be wearing an official FEMA photo identification badge. You will be asked to verify information you gave when you registered. This is the only information you will be asked to confirm.Here are some important things to remember:

• An inspector will call the number on your application to make an appointment to visit the damaged property; be sure to update it if there is a change.
• A person who is 18 or older and lived in the household before the disaster must be present for

the appointment.

• A determination will be delayed if you miss your appointment and have to reschedule.
• Inspectors will go over the structure and contents; this will take less than an hour to complete.
• The inspector will file a report of the damage. He or she will not determine your eligibility for a grant.
• You will receive a follow-up letter within 10 days of the inspector's visit with a determination.
• Applicants who are eligible for assistance will receive a check or an electronic funds transfer.

• Applicants may receive a low-interest disaster loan application in the mail from the U.S. Small Business Administration. The loan does not have to be accepted. However, completing an SBA application may open the door to other types of assistance.

If you have any questions about the inspection or regarding the letter you receive, call FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Disaster assistance applicants who have a speech disability or hearing loss and who use TTY should call 1-800-462-7585. You may also talk one on one with a recovery specialist at a Disaster Recovery Center. Go to www.fema.gov/drclocator to find a center near you. The follow-up letter explains how the money can be used.

If you had damage and have not applied for disaster assistance call FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362); for TTY call 1-800-462-7585 directly. Or apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov; the screens will prompt you through the registration process. You can also apply by web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov. For those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. Operators will assist you seven days a week between the hours of 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.

Follow FEMA online at blog.fema.gov, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema.  Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate's activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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.