Federal Assistance Program and Process
When all of the eligible public and individual damages have been assessed, and the request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration has been prepared and approved by the president, a variety of federal programs can be made available to public and private entities and individuals. These programs are designed to bring a community, and its residents, back to a pre-disaster condition.
The following is a brief explanation of the federal assistance program and process.
Individual Assistance
After the president signs the disaster declaration, it is important to inform affected individuals and businesses through press releases and outreach efforts that programs are available to them and to assist them in obtaining any entitled aid.
The first step for individuals and businesses needing assistance should be through the toll-free Tele-registration hot line, which is available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency at 1-800-462-9029 (TTY: 1-800-462-7585). Specially trained operators at Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Tele-registration Center will process the application. Once this is accomplished, further assistance may be coordinated through a Disaster Recovery Center , which may be established in each of the declared counties or regionally. Representatives of federal, state, local, and volunteer organizations are made available to help disaster survivors who are applying for assistance.
There are a wide range of individual disaster assistance programs including:
- Individuals and Households Program (IHP)
- Small Business Administration (SBA)
- Temporary Housing
- Disaster Unemployment Assistance
- Farm Service Agency (FSA)
- Florida Department of Insurance
Updated:
February 16, 2010 11:22
