Multilingual operators are available.

For those who do not have access to telephone or internet service, don’t be discouraged. Disaster survivor assistance specialists will soon be helping people register for assistance. Additionally, disaster recovery centers are planned to open in the near future in impacted counties.

Assistance for eligible survivors can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, and for other serious disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs. Long-term, low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) also may be available to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

Survivors should contact their insurance company to file their insurance claim. FEMA is unable to duplicate insurance payments. However, those without insurance or those who may be underinsured may still receive help after their insurance claims have been settled.

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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 800-621-3362 or TTY at 800-462-7585.

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 on twitter at @femaregion4. Download the FEMA app with tools and tips to keep you safe before, during, and after disasters.

Dial 2-1-1 to speak with a trained call specialist about questions you have regarding Hurricane Matthew; the service is free, confidential and available in any language. They can help direct you to resources. Call 5-1-1 for the latest road conditions.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money 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 losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800) 877-8339.

Continued here:

Two South Carolina Counties Now Designated for Individual Assistance

How the Public Can Support Disaster Recovery 

Release Date: March 31, 2012
Release Number: 4059-011

» More Information on West Virginia Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, And Lanslides
» More Information on West Virginia Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Mudslides, And Landslides

CHARLESTON, W. Va. — As disaster-affected West Virginians work to recover from this spring’s tornados, severe storms and flooding, they are finding support from many agencies, churches and members of the public. Although the flow of food and the providing of shelter and emergency relief have slowed, the long process of recovery is just beginning.

Storm survivors are helped by various government programs, but volunteer and faith-based groups play crucial roles. They work on case management, provide labor for rebuilding homes and assist with other unmet disaster-related needs. 

Those who want to help their neighbors recover from disaster have three main avenues.

Financial Donations: 
Cash donations facilitate the efficient use of resources for the precise needs of survivors. This money also empowers groups to leverage funds with volunteer labor – making each dollar stretch further. To make a financial contribution to the West Virginia recovery efforts, send your check to:

WV Long-Term Recovery Fund
VolunteerWV, Inc.
PO Box 6475
Charleston, WV 25362

Donations to this fund will be shared among groups and agencies that are assisting residents of West Virginia to recover. Be sure to write “Long-Term Recovery” on the memo line of your check. 

Goods Donations:      
Many folks like to donate goods after a disaster strikes, but these donations often create challenges for people who have to sort, clean and distribute items. Indeed, much of the donated material is unusable and winds up being discarded. Making a financial contribution as described above helps the most – but if you do collect goods for donation, please determine first what is needed, where it is needed and who will manage the donation so it can be given to the appropriate beneficiaries. 

Volunteering Time:         
Volunteers contribute enormously to disaster relief and recovery. The way to volunteer is to join a charitable or faith-based agency and be trained. VolunteerWV provides support to volunteer-minded West Virginians. The VolunteerWV Web site at www.volunteerwv.org has information on how to help your recovering neighbors.

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.

Last Modified: Monday, 02-Apr-2012 08:53:01

Originally posted here: 

How the Public Can Support Disaster Recovery