FLORIDA RESIDENTS IN BAY, ESCAMBIA, OKALOOSA, SANTA ROSA AND WALTON
COUNTIES CAN APPLY FOR FEMA ASSISTANCE
[https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20250121/florida-residents-bay-escambia-okaloosa-santa-rosa-and-walton-counties-can]


Release Date: 
Oktòb 3, 2020 

PENSACOLA, FLA. — Florida homeowners and renters in Bay, Escambia,
Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties who had uninsured losses from
Hurricane Sally may be eligible for federal disaster assistance from
FEMA.

FEMA has programs that provide financial help with temporary housing
expenses, basic home repairs and other essential disaster-related
needs. FEMA coordinates with the Florida Division of Emergency
Management in disaster recovery.

First, if you haven’t already done so, contact your insurance
company and file a claim for the disaster-caused damage. You don’t
have to wait to start cleaning up but be sure to take photographs or
video of the damage and keep all receipts for repair work.

If you have uninsured or underinsured losses, register with FEMA.
Registration is free and doesn’t take long. You can register in
several ways
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZGpWI2RCNw&feature=youtu.be]:

 	* Visit DisasterAssistance.gov [http://disasterassistance.gov/],
enter your location and click on “Apply Online”
 	* Download the FEMA App for smartphones
 	* Call 800-621-3362 (800-462-7585 TTY). Multilingual operators are
available. The toll-free numbers are open every day from 7 a.m. to 10
p.m. ET.

Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption or
CapTel should update FEMA with their specific phone number assigned to
that service.

It is helpful to have the following information available when you
register:

 	* Address of the damaged dwelling where the damage occurred
(pre-disaster address)
 	* Current mailing address
 	* Current telephone number
 	* Insurance information
 	* Total household annual income
 	* Routing and account number for checking or savings account (this
allows FEMA to directly transfer disaster assistance funds into a bank
account)
 	* A description of disaster-caused damage and losses

 

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER YOU REGISTER WITH FEMA

If you reported that you may not be able to live safely in your home,
it may be necessary for FEMA to perform an inspection of the damaged
dwelling. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, FEMA field inspections are
being conducted remotely.

For remote inspections, FEMA inspectors will contact applicants by
phone to answer questions about the type and extent of damage
sustained. Remote inspections provide an effective way of evaluating
damage, comparable to traditional, in-person inspections, and this
expedites the delivery of recovery assistance.

Survivors with minimal damage who can live in their homes will not
automatically be scheduled for a home inspection when applying to
FEMA. However, they may request an inspection if they later find
significant disaster-caused damage.

In providing assistance to individuals and households, FEMA operates
under COVID-19 protocols established by the Centers for Disease
Control. FEMA coordinates with FDEM to operate Mobile Registration
Intake Centers where disaster survivors can register and receive
information about disaster assistance. Masks or face coverings are
required for service and survivors remain in their cars while a FEMA
specialist answers questions and handles paperwork.