Help Remains After Benton, Marshall, Quitman Recovery Centers Close

OXFORD, Miss. – The disaster recovery centers operated by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency in Benton, Marshall and Quitman counties will close permanently Wednesday, Feb. 3, at 6 p.m. However, disaster survivor assistance teams continue to canvass these areas with information on available assistance.

Many services available at disaster recovery centers are also available by calling the FEMA helpline. Survivors of the December storms, tornadoes and flooding can get help by calling 800-621-3362 or

TTY 800-462-7585 for the deaf, hard of hearing and speech impaired. Those who use 711 or Video Relay Services can call 800-621-3362 to register. Lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice. Online registration can be done by computer, tablet, iPhone, Android or other mobile devices at DisasterAssistance.gov.

Survivors can use the helpline to:

• Ask questions about a letter from FEMA.
• Learn how to appeal a FEMA decision. All applicants may appeal.
• Inquire about the status of a registration.
• Provide change of address, telephone and bank account numbers and insurance information to avoid disaster assistance processing delays.
• Receive information about FEMA home inspections.
• Get other questions answered about federal disaster assistance.

Applicants should have their nine-digit FEMA registration number and ZIP code if they want to discuss their application.

For the latest information on Mississippi disaster recovery operations, go online to msema.org and fema.gov/disaster/4248.

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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.

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 temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.