FEMA and State Disaster Specialists Canvassing Neighborhoods in Faulkner County, Arkansas

Little Rock, Ark.– Specialists from the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are canvassing neighborhoods in hard-hit Faulkner County to help survivors register for disaster assistance.  

In addition to Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams (DSAT) going door to door, Mobile Registration Intake Centers (MRICs) are also set up in Vilonia and Mayflower, Arkansas to provide immediate registration assistance and answer questions residents may have concerning available FEMA assistance.

“Our priority is getting citizens’ immediate help,” said David Maxwell, Director of the Arkansas Department of Emergency. “Going directly to them in their communities allows us to expedite the disaster registration process.”

All FEMA and state team members in the field carry photo IDs and wear shirts bearing their agency’s logo.

“We continue to encourage survivors in Faulkner County to register for disaster assistance, said FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO) Timothy J. Scranton. “These are difficult times for Arkansans and going to them directly to help with registration is one way we can speed up their recovery.” 

DSAT teams are visiting homes, businesses and churches to educate residents about state and federal assistance programs and to answer any questions specific to the registration process.

Homeowners, renters and businesses owners in Faulkner County can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via smartphone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. If you use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

Visiting a MRIC is not required to be considered for disaster assistance. It is just a convenient way to begin the application process.

The DSAT teams will continue to canvas neighborhoods as long as needed.

###

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-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

The Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) is the state’s homeland security and preparedness agency. The agency works to identify and lessen the effects of emergencies, disasters and threats to Arkansas by developing effective prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery actions for all disasters and emergencies.  For additional information, contact ADEM at (501) 683-6700 or visit the website at www.adem.arkansas.gov.

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 www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

SBA is the federal government’s primary source of funding 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 uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For information about SBA programs, applicants may call 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339).

Originally posted here – 

FEMA and State Disaster Specialists Canvassing Neighborhoods in Faulkner County, Arkansas

Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams at Walmart in Robinson in Crawford County

CHICAGO – FEMA’s Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams (DSATs) that have been canvassing areas of the state to help residents register for disaster assistance will be doing outreach at the Walmart in Robinson this weekend, from Saturday, May 25 through Monday, May 27. The teams will be on site most of the day, starting at 9:00 a.m.

DSAT members offer residents the opportunity to use a tablet computer to register, or ask to enter information on their behalf.  Illinois residents will not be required to share personal information unless they wish a DSAT member to enter the data for them. 

While FEMA DSATs are offering in-person service, it’s important that Illinoisans remain vigilant about protecting their personal information. For example, residents should always ask for identification. Federal and state officials always have ID clearly visible.

If residents prefer to use personal computers or phones to register, they can call 1-800-621-3362 (TTY 1-800-462-7585), visit www.disasterassistance.gov or use a mobile device at m.fema.gov. For more information, go to: http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4116.

FEMA’s disaster assistance can include grants to repair homes, temporary rental assistance and reimbursement for damaged property caused by the disaster. While FEMA cannot duplicate insurance benefits, the agency can provide assistance for uninsured or under-insured damage. DSAT members can also provide referrals to additional resources when unmet needs remain.

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

Original source:

Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams at Walmart in Robinson in Crawford County

FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams Blanket Illinois’ Flood Damaged Areas

CHICAGO, IL – Only two days after President Obama issued a major disaster declaration for 11 Illinois counties, FEMA teams were out providing information to those affected recently by severe storms and flooding.

More than 10 FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams (DSATs) are canvassing areas hit by the disaster to provide information and give residents an opportunity to register for disaster assistance. DSAT members can also provide referrals to additional resources when unmet needs remain.

These teams visit homes, businesses, organizations and high-traffic locations in affected areas. They also meet with local officials and community leaders to provide additional eyes and ears in determining where issues exist.

“FEMA is providing support to disaster survivors directly in the communities where they live and work,” said W. Michael Moore, the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in Illinois. “This is a value-added service that we bring after a disaster for responders as well as survivors to expedite the recovery process.”

While FEMA DSATs are offering in-person service, it’s important that Illinoisans remain vigilant about protecting their personal information. For example, residents should always ask for identification. Federal and state officials always have ID clearly visible. If someone represents themselves as a federal or state employee, but does not produce identification, ask to see it.

DSAT members may offer residents the opportunity to use a tablet computer to register, or ask to enter information on their behalf.  Illinois residents will not be required to share personal information unless they wish a DSAT member to enter the data for them. Residents are reminded to ask for federal identification before providing personal information.

If residents prefer to use personal computers or phones to register, they can call 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585), visit DisasterAssistance.gov or use a mobile device at m.fema.gov. For more information, go to: 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, facebook.com/fema, and 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: 609-508-2238

More:

FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams Blanket Illinois’ Flood Damaged Areas

Beware of Disaster-Related Fraud

CHICAGO, IL – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) urge Illinois residents affected by recent severe storms and flooding to be alert for potential fraud and to keep these points in mind:

  • FEMA does not charge for information that it gives out. Apply free online at DisasterAssistance.gov or call 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585).
  • FEMA does not send out text messages asking recipients to call fee-based telephone numbers. The toll-free numbers above are used for all contact with FEMA, including applying and follow-up.
  • FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration do not charge fees for information regarding filling out the SBA loan applications. Free assistance is available by calling SBA’s toll-free number, 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339).

FEMA’s Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams (DSATs) are canvassing affected areas to provide information about disaster assistance and give Illinois residents an opportunity to register. While FEMA DSATs are offering at-your-door service, it’s important to remain vigilant about protecting your personal information:

Residents should always ask for ID. Federal and state officials always have identification clearly visible. If someone represents themselves as a federal or state employee, but does not produce identification, ask to see it.

  • DSAT members may offer residents the opportunity to use a tablet computer to register, or ask to enter information on their behalf.  DSAT members will never require Illinois residents to provide personal information. If residents prefer to use personal computers or phones to register, they can call 1-800-621-3362 (TTY 1-800-462-7585), visit DisasterAssistance.gov or use a mobile device at m.fema.gov.

Anyone with knowledge of fraud, waste or abuse may call the FEMA Fraud Hotline at 800-323-8603. You may also send an email to DHSOIGHotline@dhs.gov. Complaints may also be made via the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585) or with state or local law enforcement officials or consumer agencies.

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, facebook.com/fema, and 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: 609-508-2238

See the original article here – 

Beware of Disaster-Related Fraud