Postal Service Needs a Proper Address to Deliver Mail From FEMA
Release Date: June 27, 2008
Release Number: 1763-048
» More Information on Iowa Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
DES MOINES, Iowa -- People affected by the Iowa severe storms, tornadoes and flooding may face delays receiving important mail from the Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) because they gave an incomplete or invalid address, according to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Steven R. Courtright, Homeland Security coordinator for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Des Moines, said that some mail from FEMA to applicants has been received at Cedar Rapids post offices addressed simply to an individual and the post office name and address. Improperly addressed mail will create undue delays in delivery to the recipient, Courtright said.
The U.S. Postal Service should be notified of a temporary or permanent change of address by visiting any post office, or by telephone at 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777) or on the internet at www.usps.com.
When registering with FEMA, applicants should use their permanent address, even though they can't live there right now, or an address where they are currently living, according to Courtright. They cannot receive mail by simply having it delivered to a post office.
Everyone who has registered for disaster assistance should make sure that FEMA has their current, valid mailing address by calling the toll-free registration line, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) to update their information. For TTY, call 1-800-462-7585.
Some federally-issued checks must be mailed directly to the recipient and may not be forwarded. Those displaced by the disaster should contact agencies issuing checks the individuals expect to receive and provide a current mailing address.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Friday, 27-Jun-2008 16:59:10