Assured Your Recovery Is Insured? Have a Plan B

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – If you sustained damage from the Nov. 17 tornadoes and have submitted a claim to your insurance company, your insurance settlement may not cover all of your expenses. FEMA says disaster assistance may help cover expenses that arise later.

Apply for FEMA assistance and you may avoid unexpected, uncovered expenses, such as:

• Your insurance settlement is delayed, but you need to relocate because your home is uninhabitable.
• Damage in your home is not revealed until the spring when temperatures rise and contractors are able to conduct a more comprehensive inspection of your home’s structure.
• You exhaust the additional living expenses provided by your insurance company and still need help with your disaster-related temporary housing.

Cover all your bases by applying for FEMA assistance today. It’s quick and easy. You can use any of three ways: online at DisasterAssistance.gov, on a smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov, or by phone at 800-621-FEMA (3362). People who are deaf or hard of hearing and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585.

Not registering with FEMA may disqualify you for assistance that could help with unexpected expenses. You have until Jan. 27, 2014 to register.

A few minutes now could equal peace of mind in the future.

For the latest information on Illinois’ recovery from the Nov. 17 storms, visit FEMA.gov/Disaster/4157. Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/femaregion5, facebook.com/fema and youtube.com/fema. 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. Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

NEWS DESK: 217-522-2080

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