Disaster Survivors Can Get Free Legal Help

COLUMBIA, S.C. (Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016) — A toll-free legal aid hotline is now available to South Carolinians affected by Hurricane Matthew. The service allows callers to request the assistance of a lawyer to aid in flood-related matters.

Disaster survivors who face legal issues and are unable to afford a lawyer may call 877-797- 2227 ext. 120 (toll-free) or 803-576-3815 (local) between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, to request assistance.

When connected to the hotline recording, callers should identify that they are seeking disaster- related legal assistance; briefly describe the problem they have, and the county in which they live. Individuals who qualify for assistance will be matched with South Carolina lawyers who have volunteered to provide free legal assistance.

Flood survivors may also request assistance by e-mailing a description of their problem to:

admin@scdisasterrelief.com.

The service is provided by a partnership of the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, the South Carolina Bar, the South Carolina Bar Young Lawyers Division and South Carolina Legal Services.

Counseling and assistance cover a wide range of topics, including:

  • Life, medical and property insurance claims
  • Home repair contracts and contractors
  • Replacement of wills and other important legal documents destroyed in the disaster
  • Consumer protection matters, remedies and procedures
  • Mortgage-foreclosure problems
  • Landlord-tenant issues

Flood survivors in Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Berkeley, Calhoun, Charleston, Chesterfield, Clarendon, Colleton, Darlington, Dillion, Dorchester, Florence, Georgetown, Hampton, Horry, Jasper, Lee, Marion, Marlboro, Orangeburg, Sumter and Williamsburg counties are eligible to use the disaster relief legal assistance program.

Callers should be aware that there are limitations on disaster legal services. For example, assistance is not available for cases that will produce a fee (those cases where attorneys are paid part of the settlement by a court). Such cases are referred to a local lawyer referral service.

People in other counties who need legal help may contact South Carolina Legal Services at 888-346-5592.

All FEMA disaster assistance will be provided without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment), religion, national origin, age, disability, limited English proficiency, economic status, or retaliation. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). If you have a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

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 us on Twitter at  https://twitter.com/femaregion4 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

The SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.

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Disaster Survivors Can Get Free Legal Help

Disaster Recovery Centers Opens in Jasper County

COLUMBIA, S.C. (Wednesday, Nov. 09) – A Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is now open in Jasper County for homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained damage as a result of Hurricane Matthew.

At the center, specialists from the State of South Carolina, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), nongovernmental organizations and the local community are on hand to answer questions and provide information on the types of assistance available to survivors.

The Jasper County DRC is located at:

Jasper Emergency Service Headquarters 1509 Grays Highway

Ridgeland, SC 29966

9 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays Closed Sundays until further notice

DRCs are accessible to people with disabilities. The centers have magnifiers, tools to amplify sound, materials in alternative formats, and video remote interpretation. Sign language interpreters are available upon request at the center.

FEMA mitigation specialists are available at DRCs to provide information to survivors on the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and guidance on cost-effective rebuilding and repair techniques to make homes more flood- and wind-resistant.

Survivors who have questions about their flood insurance policies and coverage should contact the NFIP call center at 800-621-3362  (Option 2) between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through

Friday. Specialists can help with service claims, provide general information regarding policies and offer technical assistance to aid in recovery.

If possible, register for FEMA assistance by phone or online before visiting a center. Going to a DRC is not a requirement of registration, but specialists there can provide guidance regarding disaster recovery and rental resources, explain written correspondence received from FEMA, inform survivors of the status of their application, make referrals to other organizations and answer questions.

To find a complete list of DRC locations and hours, download the free FEMA app to your mobile device or visit asd.fema.gov/inter/locator.

Assistance for eligible survivors can include grants to help pay for temporary housing, essential home repairs, personal property replacement and for other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other sources.

After registering with FEMA, survivors may also be eligible for low-interest disaster loans from the SBA. Disaster loans help fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. SBA offers loans to businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) from the SBA are available to small businesses and private-nonprofits to assist with working capital needs as a direct result of the disaster. SBA loans are for uninsured or underinsured disaster losses. SBA advises it is not necessary to wait for an insurance settlement before submitting a loan application.

Eligible survivors should register with FEMA even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but FEMA may be able to help with uninsured or underinsured losses.

Survivors can  apply online for disaster assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone at

800-621-3362 (voice, 711 or relay service) or 800-462-7585 (TTY). Lines remain open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice. Multilingual operators are available.

For more information about the disaster recovery operation, please visit fema.gov/disaster/4286 or the South Carolina Emergency Management Division at scemd.org/recovery-section/ia.

All FEMA disaster assistance will be provided without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment), religion, national origin, age, disability, limited English proficiency, economic status, or retaliation. If you believe your civil rights are being violated, call 800-621-3362 or 800-462-7585(TTY/TDD).

 

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 us on Twitter

at https://twitter.com/femaregion4 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

The SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.

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Disaster Recovery Centers Opens in Jasper County

Most FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Centers Change Hours of Operation

RALEIGH, N.C. – FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Centers will operate on a new schedule beginning Friday, Nov. 11.

The new operational hours for most centers, until further notice, are Monday through Friday,

 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and half days Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Centers in Brunswick, Cumberland, Dare, Edgecombe (Tarboro location only), Robeson and Wayne counties will be open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

North Carolina residents who suffered losses and damage as a result of Hurricane Matthew can receive help applying for federal assistance, learn about the types of assistance available, the appeals process and get updates regarding their applications at any of the recovery centers operating in the impacted counties.

To locate the center nearest you, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, use the ReadyNC and FEMA mobile apps or go online to FEMA.gov/DRC or readync.org.

Registering with FEMA is the first step to federal disaster assistance.  You may register:

  • Online at DisasterAssistance.gov.

  • Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 for voice, 711 and Video Relay Service. If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585.

  • Download the FEMA Mobile App and apply.

Survivors requiring a reasonable accommodation (American Sign Language interpreting, Braille, large print, etc.) while visiting a disaster recovery center may call the appropriate Helpline number listed above for support. These toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. Help is available in many languages, and information on the registration process is available in ASL at www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/videos/111546.

FEMA assistance is nontaxable and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare or other federal benefits.

Register even if you have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but if you are underinsured you may receive help after your claim has been settled.

For more information on the North Carolina recovery, visit the disaster webpage at fema.gov/disaster/4285; or visit the North Carolina Emergency Management website at readync.org. Follow FEMA on Twitter at @femaregion4 and North Carolina Emergency Management @NCEmergency.

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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 800-621-3362 or TTY at 800-462-7585.

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 on twitter at @femaregion4. Download the FEMA app with tools and tips to keep you safe before, during, and after disasters.

Dial 2-1-1 or 888-892-1162 to speak with a trained call specialist about questions you have regarding Hurricane Matthew; the service is free, confidential and available in any language. They can help direct you to resources. Call 5-1-1 or 877-511-4662 for the latest road conditions or check the ReadyNC mobile app, which also has real-time shelter and evacuation information. For updates on Hurricane Matthew impacts and relief efforts, go to ReadyNC.org or follow N.C. Emergency Management on Twitter and Facebook. People or organizations that want to help ensure North Carolina recovers can visit NCdisasterrelief.org or text NCRecovers to 30306.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.

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Most FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Centers Change Hours of Operation

FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Centers in Beaufort, Harnett and Hoke Counties to Close Friday, Nov. 11

RALEIGH N.C. –Disaster Recovery Centers in Beaufort, Harnett and Hoke counties will close at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11.  The centers are located at:

Hoke County

City of Raeford Civic Center

220 College Drive

Raeford, NC 28376

 

Beaufort County Health Department

1436 Highland Drive

Washington, NC 27889

 

Harnett County Governmental Common Area

Nash Community College

309 West Cornelius (Harnett) Blvd.

Lillington, NC 27546

 

As of Nov. 8, more than 3,200 individuals called the FEMA Helpline or visited the recovery centers in Beaufort, Harnett and Hoke counties to register for assistance. At this time, visits to the center have decreased. Therefore, FEMA and the state will close the center and relocate resources to other centers in the affected counties.

Survivors can still get help by calling the FEMA Helpline or visiting one of the other centers.

To locate the center nearest you, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, use the ReadyNC and FEMA mobile apps or go online to FEMA.gov/DRC or readync.org.

Registering with FEMA is the first step to federal disaster assistance. Register:

  • Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 for voice, 711 and Video Relay Service. If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585.

Survivors requiring a reasonable accommodation (American Sign Language interpreting, Braille, large print, etc.) while visiting a disaster recovery center may call the appropriate Helpline number listed above for support. These toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. Help is available in many languages, and information on the registration process is available in ASL at www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/videos/111546.

FEMA assistance is nontaxable and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare or other federal benefits.

Register even if you have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but if you are underinsured you may receive help after your claim has been settled.

For more information on the North Carolina recovery, visit the disaster webpage at fema.gov/disaster/4285; or visit the North Carolina Emergency Management website at readync.org. Follow FEMA on Twitter at @femaregion4 and North Carolina Emergency Management @NCEmergency.

###

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 800-621-3362 or TTY at 800-462-7585.

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 on twitter at @femaregion4. Download the FEMA app with tools and tips to keep you safe before, during, and after disasters.

Dial 2-1-1 or 888-892-1162 to speak with a trained call specialist about questions you have regarding Hurricane Matthew; the service is free, confidential and available in any language. They can help direct you to resources. Call 5-1-1 or 877-511-4662 for the latest road conditions or check the ReadyNC mobile app, which also has real-time shelter and evacuation information. For updates on Hurricane Matthew impacts and relief efforts, go to ReadyNC.org or follow N.C. Emergency Management on Twitter and Facebook. People or organizations that want to help ensure North Carolina recovers can visit NCdisasterrelief.org or text NCRecovers to 30306.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing, or visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.

Continue reading:

FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Centers in Beaufort, Harnett and Hoke Counties to Close Friday, Nov. 11

Joint FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Center Opens for Three Days in Brunswick County

RALEIGH, N.C. – FEMA and North Carolina Emergency Management are establishing Disaster Recovery Centers in disaster-affected counties to reach residents of North Carolina who suffered losses and damage as a result of Hurricane Matthew. The Brunswick County center is open to provide a place where you can apply for disaster assistance and receive information about available state and federal assistance and other recovery information. The center is in Bolivia for three days: Thursday, Nov. 10, Friday, Nov. 11 and Saturday, Nov. 12 until close of business.

 

Location:                 Brunswick County Emergency Service Center

                 3325 Old Ocean Highway

                     Bolivia, NC 28422

 

 Hours of Operation:            Thursday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Recovery specialists from FEMA, NCEM and the U.S. Small Business Administration are available to speak with you face-to-face to answer questions you may have regarding the disaster assistance process, other assistance available and help you register if you haven’t already.

If you have registered, they can provide you with an update of your application status and if needed, discuss the appeal process.

To locate the center nearest you, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, use the ReadyNC and FEMA mobile apps or go online to FEMA.gov/DRC or readync.org.

Registering with FEMA is the first step to federal disaster assistance. Register:

  • Online at DisasterAssistance.gov.

  • Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 for voice, 711 and Video Relay Service. If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585.

  • Download the FEMA Mobile App and apply.

Survivors requiring a reasonable accommodation (American Sign Language interpreting, Braille, large print, etc.) while visiting a disaster recovery center may call the appropriate Helpline number listed above for support. These toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. Help is available in many languages, and information on the registration process is available in ASL at www.fema.gov/media-library/assestss/videos/111546.

FEMA assistance is nontaxable and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare or other federal benefits.

Register even if you have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but if you are underinsured you may receive help after your claim has been settled.

For more information on the North Carolina recovery, visit the disaster webpage at fema.gov/disaster/4285; or visit the North Carolina Emergency Management website at readync.org. Follow FEMA on Twitter at @femaregion4 and North Carolina Emergency Management @NCEmergency.

###

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 800-621-3362 or TTY at 800-462-7585.

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 on twitter at @femaregion4. Download the FEMA app with tools and tips to keep you safe before, during, and after disasters.

Dial 2-1-1 or 888-892-1162 to speak with a trained call specialist about questions you have regarding Hurricane Matthew; the service is free, confidential and available in any language. They can help direct you to resources. Call 5-1-1 or 877-511-4662 for the latest road conditions or check the ReadyNC mobile app, which also has real-time shelter and evacuation information. For updates on Hurricane Matthew impacts and relief efforts, go to ReadyNC.org or follow N.C. Emergency Management on Twitter and Facebook. People or organizations that want to help ensure North Carolina recovers can visit NCdisasterrelief.org or text NCRecovers to 30306.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.

See original article here: 

Joint FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Center Opens for Three Days in Brunswick County

Norfolk DRC opens today for survivor assistance

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.—Survivors who have damages from Hurricane Matthew are urged to visit the newly opened Norfolk Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) to register, apply for recovery assistance, and have their questions answered.

The center opened at noon today, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016 and is located in the City of Norfolk Work Force Development Center building on Little Creek Road. Survivors may visit any DRC for assistance. Hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Sunday until further notice. 

DRC locations include:

Norfolk:

Norfolk City Work Force Development Center

Room 208

201 Little Creek Road

Norfolk, VA 23505

Virginia Beach:

Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library

4100 Virginia Beach Blvd

Virginia Beach, VA 23452

Enter main door, turn right, near Cafe

Chesapeake:

Virginia Division of Human Services

City of Chesapeake

100 Outlaw St.

Chesapeake, VA 23320

Enter main door, turn right

DRCs are jointly operated by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

You don’t need to visit a DRC to register for Federal assistance, survivors can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov, on the FEMA Mobile App, or by calling 800-621-3362. TTY users can call 800-462-7585. Phone lines are open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. EDT until further notice. Help is available in almost any language.

Specialists at the recovery centers can review applicant cases, answer questions about claims, or review information needed to process their claims. Specialists from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and VDEM staff will be at each location.

To find a DRC location, go to: https://www.fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers and click on ‘Search for a Disaster Recovery Center.’

Additional information about this disaster is available at www.fema.gov and www.vaemergency.gov. Virginians seeking information about disaster-related services needs should call Virginia 211, a statewide information and referral service.

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Norfolk DRC opens today for survivor assistance

A FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Center is Coming to Manatee County

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – With the disaster assistance registration deadline for Hurricane Hermine a few weeks away, a FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is opening in Manatee County to bring information about available state and federal assistance.

The DRC will be open from Thursday Nov. 10, through Saturday Nov. 12, 2016 at the following location and times:

WHERE:      G.T. Bray Park

                                   5502 33rd Ave. Drive West

                                   Bradenton, FL. 34209

WHEN:       Thursday Nov. 10, through Saturday Nov. 12, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

DRCs are staffed with representatives from FEMA, Florida Division of Emergency Management and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). You can receive help applying for federal disaster assistance, learn about the types of assistance available, learn about the appeals process and obtain updates regarding your application. 

Many services offered at DRCs are also available by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 (voice/711/VRS-Video Relay Service) (TTY: 800-462-7585). Multilingual operators are available (press 2 for Spanish). The toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week, until further notice. Survivors with questions regarding the application or the appeals process, or who need to register for assistance, may also visit online at DisasterAssistance.gov.

Floridians who already registered for disaster assistance with FEMA are encouraged to stay in touch. If addresses or phone numbers change they should be updated with FEMA as soon as possible. Missing or erroneous information could result in delays in getting a home inspection or receiving assistance.

For more information about SBA loans, call SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (TTY: 800-877-8339), email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visit http://www.sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

For more information on Florida’s disaster recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4280, twitter.com/femaregion4, facebook.com/FEMA, and fema.gov/blog, floridadisaster.org or #FLRecovers.

Excerpt from:  

A FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Center is Coming to Manatee County

Homeowners, Contractors: Rebuild Safer, Stronger

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Do you have questions about how you can reduce damage to your property from future flooding and other natural disasters?  FEMA Mitigation specialists may have answers.

Visit The Home Depot in Daytona Beach Thursday, Nov. 10 through Tuesday Nov. 15, 2016 to speak with FEMA mitigation specialists who can answer questions and offer tips on topics such as flood proofing a home, elevating utilities and removing and replacing wet drywall.

WHERE:      The Home Depot—at Volusia Square Mall

2455 W. International Speedway Blvd.

Daytona Beach, FL 32114

WHEN:        Thursday and Friday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

                     Monday and Tuesday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This free information is geared to both homeowners and general contractors.
Residents can also contact FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program helpline for help with policy questions, service claims, technical assistance and general information. To speak with a flood insurance specialist, call 800-621-3362 (voice, 711/VRS-Video Relay Service) (TTY: 800-462-7585). Multilingual operators are available (press 2 for Spanish).
For more information on Florida’s disaster recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4283, twitter.com/femaregion4, facebook.com/FEMA, and fema.gov/blog, floridadisaster.org or #FLRecovers. For imagery, video, graphics and releases, see www.fema.gov/Hurricane-Matthew.

Original article: 

Homeowners, Contractors: Rebuild Safer, Stronger

Help Is Just a Phone Call Away for Louisiana Flood Survivors

BATON ROUGE, La. — Survivors of Louisiana’s August floods can always get help with just one phone call.

Call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 for information about many federal disaster assistance-related matters. Lines are open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Call 800-462-7585 if you use TTY or 800-621-3362 if you use 711 or Video Relay Service.

Here are some of the many ways the helpline can support your disaster recovery:

  • Learn about Manufactured Housing Units (MHUs) and where you are in the process if you’re interested in getting one.

  • Get instructions about how to appeal your FEMA decision letter. Everyone may appeal.

  • Register for federal disaster assistance. FEMA allows one registration per household. Households should register only once.

  • Inquire about the status of your registration.

  • Update contact and insurance information to avoid disaster assistance processing delays.

  • Reschedule FEMA home inspections.

Have your nine-digit FEMA registration number available if you want to discuss your application.

Have the following information available if you haven’t registered:

  • Date of loss;

  • Social Security number;

  • Current mailing address and damaged home address, including ZIP codes;

  • Telephone numbers;

  • Names of household members at the time of the disaster;

  • Insurance information;

  • Total gross income for the household;

  • Bank account numbers if you want to have money deposited directly; and

  • Loss descriptions.

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Help Is Just a Phone Call Away for Louisiana Flood Survivors

Disaster Recovery Center Closes in Indian River County

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) operated by the Florida Division of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in Vero Beach, will close on Thursday, Nov. 10, at 6 p.m.

The center is located at Indian River State College, Brackett Library, 6155 College Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32966.

Disaster survivors can visit any open DRC, even if they live in another county. Many services available at DRCs are also available by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 (voice, 711/VRS-Video Relay Service) (TTY: 800-462-7585). Toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week, until further notice.  Multilingual operators are available (for Spanish, press 2). Survivors with questions regarding the application or the appeals process, or who need to register for assistance, may also visit online at DisasterAssistance.gov.

Downloading the FEMA App (available in English and Spanish) to their mobile device will allow survivors to:

  • Apply for disaster assistance;
  • Get directions to the nearest Disaster Recovery Center by visiting the DRC locator;
  • Get weather alerts and,
  • Subscribe to disaster safety tips.

In addition, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers low-interest disaster loans for businesses of all sizes, homeowners, renters, and certain private non-profit organizations. SBA disaster loans may help cover the cost of repairs, rebuilding, as well as the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged real estate and personal property.

For more information about SBA loans, call SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at

800-659-2955 (TTY: 800-877-8339), email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visit http://www.sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

For more information on Florida’s disaster recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4283, twitter.com/femaregion4, facebook.com/FEMA, and fema.gov/blog, floridadisaster.org or #FLRecovers. For imagery, video, graphics and releases, see www.fema.gov/Hurricane-Matthew.

See original article here:

Disaster Recovery Center Closes in Indian River County

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