FEMA Says Disaster Recovery Centers Are One-Stop Shops

WARREN, Mich. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) encourages disaster survivors to visit one of the four Disaster Recovery Centers in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties to learn about the many paths toward recovering from the August severe storms and flooding.

The recovery centers are one-stop shops where disaster survivors can register for assistance, discuss types of disaster assistance programs with specialists, receive the status of their existing application and obtain other information.

The advantage of already being registered before visiting a recovery center is that FEMA staff can look up an applicant’s case and tell how it is progressing. The same information is available at FEMA’s toll-free number, but the face-to-face experience at the centers makes it easier.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) customer service representatives at the recovery centers can explain the several different kinds of low-interest, long-term disaster assistance loans available. Not only businesses and private nonprofit organizations, but homeowners and renters can apply for SBA disaster recovery loans.

Rebuilding stronger and safer homes is the specialty of FEMA’s mitigation specialists. They are at the centers and can explain how to protect property against damaging winds and floods, and reduce damages from future events.

The centers should not be confused with the recovery support sites located throughout neighborhoods in southeast Michigan. The support sites are open for a short period of time and are staffed with FEMA personnel who can help survivors register and quickly answer questions about disaster assistance programs.

It is not necessary to go to a recovery center to register for the various federally-funded recovery programs that can be accomplished better by phone or on the web.

Register at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via smart phone or Web-enabled device at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 1-800-621-3362. TTY users may call 1-800-462-7585.

The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. EDT seven days a week until further notice.

The deadline for individuals to apply for disaster assistance is Nov. 24, 2014.

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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. Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/femaregion5, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema.  Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

English: http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4195

Spanish: http://www.fema.gov/es/disaster/4195