Hurricane Irma disaster assistance available beginning Friday

The Federal Emergency Management Agency along with the Small Business Administration will open up a disaster recovery center at G.T. Bray Park beginning Friday from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m.

The agencies will be in place on the same times Saturday and Monday, and on Sunday it will be open from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Disaster recovery centers offer the opportunity for residents to discuss assistance needs in person with representatives of FEMA and SBA, who are there to support individuals and business owners still seeking to fill out assistance applications or check on the status of applications on claims filed related to Hurricane Irma.

The center will be located at the park’s C.V. Walton Raquet Center, 5502 33rd Ave. Drive W.

As more centers open, their locations can be found at fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers or by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, (TTY) 800-462-7585. Helpline numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m, seven days a week. Center information is also available on the FEMA App. The registration process is the first step in your recovery and requires information such as insurance policies and bank information for possible direct transfer of funds. Those attending are encouraged to register before visiting a center location.

The SBA offers low-interest federal disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes. The SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged property.

If you have phone and/or internet access, you may register in one of the following ways:

• Online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
• Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 for voice, 711 and Video Relay Service (VRS). If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585. Information on the registration process is available in ASL at: fema.gov/medialibrary/assets/videos/111546.
• Help is available in most languages.
• Download the FEMA App and apply.

You may have other needs while visiting a DRC:

• If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation, please see a DRC manager when you arrive.
• Language translations are offered through Telephonic Interpretation Services in 200 languages.

Disaster Survivor Assistance crews are canvassing affected areas and are able to register you for FEMA assistance, if needed. Telephonic Interpretation Services are available in many languages to assist with language needs. When residents require further assistance, the teams may refer them to a DRC.

If you have already registered, it is not necessary to visit a DRC, but you may still want to go speak with a recovery specialist to update your status or find help from the other organizations. FEMA grants do not have to be repaid. FEMA assistance is nontaxable and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid or other federal benefits.

Survivors should register even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but under-insured applicants may receive help after their claims have been settled. For more recovery information, visit www.FEMA.gov/IrmaFL, or follow us @FEMARegion4 on Twitter and on FEMA’s Facebook page.

This story was originally published November 2, 2017 at 4:54 PM with the headline "Hurricane Irma disaster assistance available beginning Friday."