Thursday, September 01, 2005
Getting Assistance from FEMA
i worked in the social service world in nyc during and after 9/11, so i am very familiar with the FEMA application process. Info on how to apply for assistance is on FEMA's website here.
begin the process by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). give your name, your previous address in the disaster area, the place you're living now, contact phone number, etc, and you'll be assigned a FEMA identification number. It's important to do this as soon as possible, so that FEMA can begin hooking you up with available services.
Some things to ask about, which were eventually available through FEMA and local agencies for folks affected by the WTC:
begin the process by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). give your name, your previous address in the disaster area, the place you're living now, contact phone number, etc, and you'll be assigned a FEMA identification number. It's important to do this as soon as possible, so that FEMA can begin hooking you up with available services.
Some things to ask about, which were eventually available through FEMA and local agencies for folks affected by the WTC:
- Mortgage & Rental Assistance (MRA) Program - designed to cover rent or mortgage payments for those who have suffered a financial hardship as a result of a major disaster declared by the president. Persons suffering financial hardship who are unable to pay their rent or mortgage, and are facing eviction or foreclosure, may be eligible for this program. For the WTC situation, they paid rent/mortgage for 18 months.
- Emergency Food Stamps - provided on an EBT debit card
- Emergency Medicaid
- Disaster Unemployment Assistance
Also call the hotline for the Red Cross - 1-866-GET-INFO
