Help Remains Available After Disaster Recovery Center Closes in St. Matthews

COLUMBIA, S.C. – One disaster recovery center will close Wednesday, Dec. 16 at 6 p.m.:

• John Ford Community Center at 304 Agnes St. in St. Matthews

Applicants in St. Matthews may still visit other recovery centers to ask disaster assistance questions. They can locate their closest center by visiting asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm.

Representatives from the South Carolina Emergency Management Division, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Small Business Administration and other agencies are at centers to answer questions about disaster assistance and low-interest loans.

Many services available at disaster recovery centers are also available by calling the FEMA helpline. Applicants can get help by calling 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585; those who use 711/VRS can call 800-621-3362. Lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

Survivors can use the helpline to:

• Register for federal assistance. Households should register only once.

• Ask questions about FEMA decision letters.

• Learn how to appeal FEMA decision letters. 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 questions answered about federal disaster assistance and the application process.

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

For the latest information on South Carolina flood recovery operations, visit scemd.org and fema.gov/disaster/4241.