Two Weeks Remain to Apply with FEMA: Feb. 8 is the Deadline

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Hurricane Zeta survivors in Clarke, Dallas, Marengo, Mobile, Perry, Washington or Wilcox counties have only two weeks to apply for disaster assistance. The deadline to apply is Monday, Feb. 8, for those who suffered damage from the storm.

Even if you have insurance, you should apply to get the benefits for which you may be eligible. Disaster assistance represents your tax dollars at work in Alabama, providing funds to help kickstart your recovery.

There are several ways to apply:

• Download FEMA’s mobile app. For information go to: www.fema.gov/mobile-app.
• Visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
• Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (FEMA) or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Multilingual operators are available. Lines are open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption or CapTel should provide FEMA with their specific phone number assigned to that service.

Here are seven useful facts about FEMA help that may be available to you:

1. You won’t be taking grant money away from someone else by applying. There are enough disaster funds to assist every eligible applicant.
2. If you applied for assistance through a voluntary organization or other federal or state agency, this does not mean you are registered with FEMA. Download the FEMA app or visit DisasterAssistance.gov to apply.
3. FEMA funds provided to eligible homeowners and renters are grants and do not have to be repaid. Note: FEMA cannot pay for damage covered by insurance or duplicate payments from other sources.
4. FEMA assistance is nontaxable and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid or other federal or state benefits.
5. If your well, septic system, private road or bridge was damaged, you may qualify for FEMA help. These items are considered uninsurable and a FEMA grant would not be a duplication of funds received from your insurance settlement.
6. If you are underinsured and your insurance settlement isn’t enough to cover your expenses, FEMA might be able to help.
7. If your car had uninsured damage caused by the disaster, you may be eligible for money to help repair or replace it. Certain requirements apply, but you must register with FEMA first to determine eligibility.

For more information on Alabama’s disaster recovery, visit ema.alabama.gov, AlabamaEMA Facebook page, www.fema.gov/disaster/4573 and www.facebook.com/fema. For a comprehensive database of health and human service agencies available in your community, dial 211, text 888-421-1266, or chat via www.211connectsalabama.org.