FEMA help sites are changing in Jackson County

Mail Tribune (Medford, OR)

Oct. 29--Jackson County issued an update this week on locations where people can register for FEMA disaster aid or get help with a letter denying a claim.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency locations, formerly called Multi Agency Resource Centers, are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

The main FEMA location is at Central High School, 815 S. Oakdale Ave., Medford.

"As we transition to the medium- and long-term housing phase of the recovery effort, the Central High location will remain available for those that need to register and review the status of their FEMA claims," said Jackson County Emergency Operations Center Director John Vial.

The FEMA location at Talent Elementary School, 307 Wagner Creek Road, is expected to close Wednesday, Oct. 28.

The FEMA location at the Phoenix Civic Center, 220 N. Main St., is projected to close Tuesday, Nov. 3.

County and FEMA officials are urging everyone to register who lost residential or commercial property during the September fires that burned thousands of homes in Jackson County.

People should register even if they have insurance. FEMA won't duplicate benefits, but it can help make up for insurance shortfalls.

To register with FEMA, visit disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362.

"We continue to see new people registering each day but know there are more out there," said Emergency Operations Center Coordinator Steve Lambert.

Lambert and Vial said FEMA team members are working to find every affected resident.

"We cannot help FEMA enough for their passion for helping," Vial said.

At the FEMA locations, people who have registered with FEMA can check the status of their claim, or if they've received a letter denying their claim, FEMA specialists can review those claims for reconsideration.

Some people had a claim denied because they didn't submit copies of needed documents. FEMA can offer advice on those documents, or how to replace documents lost in fires.

People who need to register for help from the American Red Cross should visit redcross.org and look for Oregon Wildfire Assistance or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-773-2767). Sign-up locations for Red Cross help, including temporary housing aid, have closed.

For more information about help in the aftermath of the fires, the cleanup process and housing, visit a website set up by Jackson County at roguevalleyrebuilds.org.

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