Fla. Residents Urged to Apply for Disaster Assistance Before Jan. 5

Just over a week remains until the Jan. 5 deadline to apply for federal and state disaster assistance for Floridians in the wake of Hurricane Wilma, according to the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the State Emergency Response Team (SERT).

There are two ways to begin the application process. Residents may call FEMA’s toll-free number at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585. Both numbers are available 24 hours a day seven days a week until further notice. Multilingual operators are also available to answer calls. Residents with Internet access may register online at www.fema.gov, where recovery information is also available.

Individuals with insurance may be eligible for disaster assistance for under-insured losses, so they should apply before the deadline even if they have not received their insurance settlement. However, in order for individuals to receive assistance, FEMA will need the insurance settlement information to avoid any duplication of benefits.

Applications may be updated and will continue to be processed after the Jan. 5 application deadline. Helpline representatives (at the toll-free numbers listed above) are available 24/7 to answer questions about assistance or check the status of a caller’s application.

Assistance available to disaster victims includes grants for temporary disaster housing, repairs to disaster-damaged and uninsured homes bringing them to a safe and sanitary living condition and assistance for serious disaster-related needs and expenses not covered by insurance or other assistance programs. In addition, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) may provide eligible applicants with low-interest disaster loans for individuals and businesses to repair or replace damaged property.

Thursday, Jan 5 is the final day to apply for disaster assistance for all those affected by Hurricane Wilma in the following disaster-designated counties:

* Brevard
* Broward
* Collier
* Glades
* Hendry
* Indian River
* Lee
* Martin
* Miami-Dade
* Monroe
* Okeechobee
* Palm Beach
* St. Lucie.