With many of the Disaster Recovery Centers in South Carolina closing, residents affected by Oct. 1-23 storms and flooding can still get information and answers to questions by calling the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s helpline.
Residents can call the helpline at 800-621-3362. Lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice. Survivors who use TTY may call 800-462-7585; those who use 711/VRS can call 800-621-3362. They can also visit www.disasterassistance.gov.
FEMA will accept applications for federal disaster assistance until 11:59 p.m. Monday, Jan. 4, 2016. Because the Jan. 3 deadline falls on a Sunday, the agency will allow flood survivors to register the following business day.
The helpline provides many services. Survivors can use the helpline to:
- Register for federal assistance. Households should register only once.
- Ask questions about FEMA decision letters.
- Learn how to appeal FEMA decision letters. All applicants may appeal.
- Inquire about the status of a registration.
- Provide change of address, telephone and bank account numbers and insurance information to avoid disaster assistance processing delays.
- Receive information about FEMA home inspections.
- Get questions answered about federal disaster assistance and the application process.
Applicants should have their nine-digit FEMA registration number and ZIP Code if they want to discuss their application.
Survivors should have the following information before registering:
- Date of loss
- Social Security number
- Current mailing address and damaged home address, including ZIP Code
- Telephone numbers
- Names of household members at the time of the disaster
- Insurance information
- Total gross income for the household
- Bank account numbers if they want to have money deposited directly, if eligible
- Loss descriptions
For the latest information on South Carolina flood recovery, visit scemd.org and fema.gov/disaster/4241.