DENVER – At the state’s request, FEMA has approved a third extension to the Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program, which pays for eligible flood evacuees to stay in participating hotels and motels.

Individuals and families who are still being assessed regarding their housing needs may continue to be eligible for TSA through Nov. 16 (checkout Nov. 17). The previous checkout date was Nov. 3.

  • TSA allows eligible individuals and families to stay temporarily in participating hotels, with FEMA and the state picking up the bill for eligible room costs and taxes.
  • Survivors may no longer have a need for TSA if their home is inspected and is found to be functional, accessible and has power.
  • An automated phone message notifies applicants if they are eligible for this period of assistance ending Nov. 16.

Individuals and families who are not eligible for the program may be considered for additional FEMA rental assistance.

  • Applicants may need to provide rental agreement information.

For questions, contact the FEMA helpline by phone, 800-621-3362, from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., MDT, seven days a week.  Multilingual phone operators are available on the FEMA helpline. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages. People who have a speech disability or are deaf or hard of hearing may call (TTY) 800-462-7585; users of 711 or Video Relay Service can call 800-621-3362.

A total of 379 households stayed in hotels and motels last night under TSA.

See the article here:  

Third Extension Approved for Transitional Sheltering Assistance

Aurora, Ill. – Illinoisans who were affected by the April 16 to May 5 severe weather and who have not yet registered for federal disaster assistance have only two weeks left to call FEMA’s toll-free registration line at 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585 to find out if they are eligible for disaster assistance.

Tuesday, July 9, 2013, is the deadline to register for assistance.

Multilingual phone operators are available. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages.

Residents also may register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. It is not necessary to visit a Disaster Recovery Center to register with FEMA.

“As the registration deadline approaches, we urge homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained uninsured losses during the severe storms, straight-line winds and flooding of April 16 to May 5, to register for assistance,” said W. Michael Moore, the federal official in charge of disaster recovery. “It is important that applicants leave determination of eligibility for assistance to federal program experts and not automatically disqualify themselves.”

For more information visit the Illinois Disaster website www.fema.gov/disaster/4116.

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.

Media Contact: 571-408-1835

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Only Two Weeks Remain to Register for Disaster Assistance