Many survivors in southwest Georgia have registered with FEMA and have received assistance. Some may now be wondering: What are my next steps?
Here are some frequently asked ‘after-you-register’ questions:
I registered with FEMA but I haven’t heard from anyone. What should I do?
Stay in touch with us! If you have not heard back from FEMA within 10 days of applying you might need to update your contact information. Call 800-621-3362 any time from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. or visit us at a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) near you. Find the closest one at http://asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm.
I registered with FEMA, but I don’t have a place to live. What do I do? Where do I go?
FEMA can help you locate temporary rental resources. You can get information on housing resources by calling FEMA’s hotline or visiting FEMA’s housing portal at: asd.fema.gov/inter/hportal/home.htm.
I registered with FEMA, but the determination letter is not clear. What do I do?
If you have questions about your determination letter or need clarification after you have received it, a representative can explain. Call FEMA at 800-621-3362 or visit FEMA a Disaster Recovery Center.
I registered with FEMA, but I don’t agree with my determination letter or the amount of assistance I was eligible for. How do I follow up on this?
Every survivor has the right to appeal. If you don’t agree with the determination letter, call or visit FEMA at a DRC. A representative can help walk you through the appeal process.
I registered with FEMA, but my home was damaged and I moved, so how can FEMA reach me?
If you moved or changed your phone number, make sure you update your contact information with FEMA. Keeping your information up to date helps FEMA help you.
I registered with FEMA and received assistance. Now what do I do with the money?
Resist the urge to splurge. Use your money wisely. A letter explaining the payment’s purpose will arrive within a day or two of the check or direct deposit payment. If you use your payment on anything other than its intended purpose, you may have to repay those funds – and you might not be able to receive future disaster assistance.
I registered with FEMA. My question is, “Can I purchase a new home with my FEMA grant?”
The purpose of FEMA’s assistance is to house a survivor in a safe, sanitary and functional home. If you use the money to purchase a new home, you cannot come back to FEMA asking for further assistance.
I registered with FEMA and was referred to the Small Business Administration for a low-interest disaster loan, but I don’t want a loan. What should I do?
While you may not want a loan or know you will not be eligible for a loan, you may be eligible for further FEMA assistance if you are denied. However, you must first apply and be turned down by SBA prior to your case moving forward with FEMA.
Here is how to stay in touch with FEMA: Call Us. Visit Us. Call Us:
Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Those of you who use 711 or Video Relay Services may call 800-621-3362. Help is available in most languages and phone lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice. When you call FEMA with further questions, you should refer to the nine-digit registration number you received when originally applying for aid.
Visit Us:
Disaster Recovery Centers are open in southwest Georgia to help survivors of the January storms through the recovery process. DRCs host a variety of agencies, organizations and experts to guide you along your recovery process. Come as often as you would like. We will walk you through an appeal, help you understand your FEMA determination letter, and provide you with resources to help in the recovery process.
Each DRC has assistive technologies for people with disabilities. To arrange to have an ASL interpreter at the DRC when you visit, call 225-382-1739.
Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams are still contacting survivors. They are equipped with mobile devices and are going door-to-door providing onsite registration, resource referrals and application updates.