Help Remains After Forrest County Disaster Recovery Center Closes

RIDGELAND, Miss. –The state/federal disaster recovery center in Forrest County at 946 Sullivan Drive, Hattiesburg, will close Wednesday, April 27, at 6 p.m. However, federal assistance by phone or internet remains accessible to Mississippi survivors of the severe storms and flooding that took place from March 9-29, 2016.

Many services are available by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362. Survivors with questions regarding the application or the appeals process, or who need to register for assistance, may visit DisasterAssistance.gov or call (voice, 711 or relay service) 800-621-3362. (TTY users should call 800-462-7585.) The toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

Survivors also 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/4268.

###

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.

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). If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is the federal government’s primary source of money to help business of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters rebuild and recover after a disaster. SBA low interest disaster loans repair and replace property losses not fully compensated by insurance and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continue reading here:

Help Remains After Forrest County Disaster Recovery Center Closes

Free FEMA Advice Available at Local Home Improvement Store in Hattiesburg

RIDGELAND, Miss. – Are you repairing or rebuilding damaged property? Have questions about flood insurance? Want to protect your property from potential loss or damage from future disasters? FEMA mitigation specialists will be available in Hattiesburg to answer questions on building stronger.

Advisers will be available April 21-26 at the following location:

  • Lowe’s Home Improvement, 6004 U.S. Highway 98, Hattiesburg, MS 39402

The hours are: Thursday, noon to 7 p.m.; Friday through Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For more information on Mississippi’s flood recovery, go to fema.gov/disaster/4268 or visit the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency site at msema.org.

###

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.

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). If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

 

More: 

Free FEMA Advice Available at Local Home Improvement Store in Hattiesburg

Last Chance to Visit Disaster Recovery Center in Petal – Others Remain Open

PURVIS, Miss. – The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency remind those who want to meet with disaster recovery specialists that Saturday, March 9 will be the last day to visit the Disaster Recovery Center in Petal. Two other centers will remain open.

The disaster recovery center in Petal at the Petal Civic Center, 712 S. Main St. will serve visitors from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Saturday, its last day.

Survivors can still meet with disaster-recovery specialists at two centers Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at:

  • Ben McNair Recreation Center, 300 North 12th Ave., Hattiesburg
  • Lamar Park, 226 Pinewood Drive, Hattiesburg

Individuals can register for assistance online at www.disasterassistance.gov or by smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov or other web-enabled mobile devices.

Applicants also may call 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week until further notice. C-Spire wireless customers can register by calling #362.

Federal disaster assistance for individuals and families can include money for rental assistance, essential home repairs, personal property loss and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

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.

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.

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.

 

###

Visit site:  

Last Chance to Visit Disaster Recovery Center in Petal – Others Remain Open

Throwing Away An SBA Loan Packet Is Like Throwing Away Money

PURVIS, Miss. – Anyone seeking disaster assistance who does not return their U.S. Small Business Administration loan application could be throwing money away.

Officials from the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency urge disaster assistance applicants – renters, homeowners and business owners – to understand the application is a critical step in determining eligibility for all forms of assistance.

The number one mistake people make is assuming SBA packets are only for businesses or simply choosing to ignore the application because they do not want to take out a loan. The application is important; it gives FEMA the information needed to get the proper aid to the disaster survivor.

“SBA loans are an affordable means to pay for up to 100 percent of your uninsured disaster-related losses,” said Jack Camp, SBA spokesperson. “Completing the application is free and easy and you are not obligated to accept a loan if one is offered.”

If a disaster survivor does not qualify for a low-interest loan, completing the forms can be a bridge to additional disaster grant programs. These may include items not normally covered under the SBA disaster loan programs, such as medical and dental bills, funeral expenses and disaster debris removal.

A FEMA grant may be just the beginning of disaster assistance to eligible survivors.

FEMA grants address survivors’ immediate disaster-related needs. They may cover disaster-related expenses such as essential home repairs, replacement of personal property, transportation or the rental of equipment.

“Grants are great, but they don’t cover everything,” said Camp. SBA loans remain the primary source of long-term recovery aid. SBA loans can help survivors fully recover after a disaster.

It takes about 30 minutes to fill out an application and help is available to complete it. Disaster survivors can call the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or TTY at 800-877-8339 or go to one of Mississippi’s three Disaster Recovery Centers to meet face-to-face with an SBA representative:

  • Ben McNair Recreation Center at 300 North 12th Ave., Hattiesburg
  • Petal Civic Center at 712 S. Main St., Petal
  • Lamar Park at 226 Pinewood Dr., Hattiesburg

Survivors also can apply online using the electronic loan applications at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Don’t throw away money. Fill out the SBA application and return as soon as possible.

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.

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.

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.

###

Original post: 

Throwing Away An SBA Loan Packet Is Like Throwing Away Money

Mississippians: Tips to Speed Up Your Disaster Assistance

PEARL, Miss. — Mississippi residents and businesses recovering from the recent storms and tornadoes can help speed the process of obtaining federal assistance by starting as soon as possible and following some simple steps.

FEMA can’t help if you don’t apply. Registration is simple and can be done:

Online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov any time day or night.

  • By phone or video relay at 800-621-FEMA (3362) daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time. Help is available in many languages.
  • By TTY at 800-462-7585.
  • C-Spire Wireless customers can register by calling #362.
  • By web-enabled mobile devices at m.fema.gov.
  • Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-interest loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

After registration: It’s about follow-up

  • Keep critical appointments. A FEMA-contracted inspector will make an appointment to visit your damaged home.  Make every effort to be at home, or authorize someone 18 or older who lived in the residence at the time of the disaster to stand in during the inspection.
  • Stay in touch with FEMA at 800-621-FEMA (3362) to change an appointment, to update an address or telephone number or to provide additional information.
  • Visit a Disaster Recovery Center: Get face-to-face-guidance and answers to questions at recovery centers. Five are open in four counties in Mississippi from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily until further notice:

     Ben McNair Recreation Center, 300 North 12th Ave., Hattiesburg, 39401

     Petal Civic Center, 712 S. Main St., Petal, 39465

     Lamar Park, 226 Pinewood Drive, Hattiesburg, 39402

     Mount Carmel Church of God, 573 Mount Carmel Church Rd., Foxworth 39483

     Waynesboro Fire Station, 710 Wayne St., Waynesboro, 39367

  • Return forms promptly. After registering, survivors may receive a U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loan application package in the mail. Fill out and return these forms promptly. You don’t have to accept a loan but this application may open new doors of assistance. SBA representatives at Disaster Recovery Centers will assist in completing your home or business disaster loan application as well as answer any of your questions.
  • Read all FEMA letters and documents. Applicants deemed eligible for disaster assistance will receive a letter from FEMA providing guidance on their disaster relief grant. It will explain ways the money can be spent for recovery and explain that federal assistance may have to be repaid if it is duplicated by insurance or other assistance received.

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.

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.

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.

 

###

 

 

Read this article: 

Mississippians: Tips to Speed Up Your Disaster Assistance