FEMA opening local mobile disaster recovery center

Nov. 09--TIFTON -- A Federal Emergency Management Agency mobile disaster recovery center will be at the Tift County Special Programs Building, 202 Baldwin Drive, opening Nov. 9 and closing on Nov. 14.

It will be open 9 a.m.--7 p.m., except for Sunday, Nov. 11 when it will be open 1-7 p.m. It will be closed Nov. 12 in observation of Veterans Day.

The center can help hurricane survivors, renters and property owners register and apply for FEMA assistance for home and property damage from Hurricane Michael, as well as other disaster-related needs, such as medical, dental or transportation costs not covered by insurance or other programs.

The mobile center is scheduled to return on Nov. 23 and close a second time on Nov. 28

Applicants can also register for assistance by phone at 1-800-621-3362 or applying online at www.disasterassistance.gov.

Disaster survivor assistance teams are going door-to-door in the county, according to Sharon Karr, media relations specialist with FEMA.

Each member of the assistance teams will have a photo ID badge and can register people "on the spot," Karr said.

She noted that team members will ask for a social security number to register homeowners.

After registration, people will be contacted by phone by a FEMA inspector to make an inspection appointment.

Generally, there's a 7-10 day period between registration and inspection, with a 7-10 day period after inspection before people will receive a letter from FEMA letting them know about their application.

Karr notes that every case is different, pointing to families that need temporary housing as a case that could go through quickly.

If a letter comes back saying the applicant is ineligible, Karr encourages them to read it closely.

"They need to check why and see if it has to do with something that's easily fixed," said Karr.

FEMA cannot duplicate benefits from another agency or source of funding.

"With this hurricane...people should be calling their homeowners insurance as well," said Karr.

Homeowners can also contact FEMA at 1-800-621-3362 or through the FEMA website, www.disasterassistance.gov.

The FEMA app is also available for Apple and Android devices.

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