WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU REGISTER FOR FEMA DISASTER ASSISTANCE
[https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20230425/what-expect-when-you-register-fema-disaster-assistance]


Release Date: 
September 16, 2017 

TALLAHASSEE, FLA. – If you live in one of the disaster-designated
Florida counties [https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4337] and experienced
property damage or loss directly caused by Hurricane Irma, register
with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for disaster
assistance – even if you have insurance. This can be an important
step to begin the process of recovery.

You may register for assistance the following ways:

	* At www.DisasterAssistance.gov [http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov].
	* If you don’t have Internet access, you can call 800-621-3362.
	* People who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY
should call 800-462-7585.
	* For those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call
800-621-3362.
	* These toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 11
p.m. (EST) seven days a week until further notice.

FEMA assistance for individuals may include grants for rent, temporary
housing and home repairs to their primary residences, as well as
funding for other serious disaster-related needs, such as medical,
dental or funeral costs. If you have insurance, FEMA may still be able
to assist with disaster-related expenses that were underinsured or not
covered by your policy.

After you apply, a FEMA inspector will contact you to schedule an
inspection. The inspection generally takes 30-40 minutes or less and
consists of a general verification of your disaster-related losses and
a review of ownership or residence records. _There is no fee for the
inspection._

When a FEMA housing inspector comes to visit your home, be sure they
show you proper identification. _All FEMA inspectors have prominent
photo identification badges._ If you suspect someone is posing as a
FEMA housing inspector, call our toll-free Disaster Fraud Hotline at
866-720-5721, or call local law enforcement officials.

Once the inspection process is complete, your situation will be
reviewed by FEMA. You will receive a letter by email or physical mail,
depending on your preference, which outlines the decision about your
claim. For more information about the inspection process, and
documentation you will need to provide the inspector, visit the FEMA
Individual Assistance Inspection Process
[https://www.ready.gov/faq-details/FEMA-Individual-Assistance-inspection-process-1370032116957]
page.

Know that you may receive a visit from more than one inspector
throughout the recovery process. In addition to FEMA housing
inspectors, representatives from the U.S. Small Business
Administration, state and local officials and inspectors for private
insurance coverage also visit neighborhoods in affected areas.

For more recovery information visit FEMA’s Hurricane Irma web page
at www.fema.gov/hurricane-irma [http://www.fema.gov/hurricane-irma].

[A graphic with info on what to expect after you apply for FEMA
assistance: A call from a FEMA inspector. A brief inspector's visit. A
decision letter. If you receive a SBA loan application completing it
is an important step in finding out what aid may be available to you.]

###

_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._