Failure to update address, phone number could cost Katrina victims


Thursday, April 6, 2006
Community \| Obits \| Editorial & Columnists \| Society \| Sports \| Education \| Classified Ads \| Calendar of Events \| Features \| Newsbriefs \| Legals \| Archives \| Photo Gallery

Failure to update address, phone number could cost Katrina victims

Some Mississippians affected by Hurricane Katrina could be missing out on federal assistance because they fail to take one simple step – letting the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) know when they change their addresses or phone numbers.

As FEMA continues to address the housing needs of displaced households, inspectors or other state and federal disaster recovery officials may need to speak directly with applicants to schedule inspections, verify a continued need for housing or notify an eligible household that a temporary unit may be available to them.

Providing a current telephone number is extremely important as disaster recovery officials may periodically need to speak to applicants directly.

“We understand that Hurricane Katrina victims often move from one place to another as they recover from the disaster,” said Nick Russo, federal coordinating officer for the Mississippi disaster recovery. “We encourage them to update their contact information each time they move so we can provide information and assistance more quickly.”

Mississippi residents registered for disaster aid with FEMA may check their applications online to ensure their addresses and phone numbers are up to date in the system by going to www.fema.gov and using their unique pin number.

To update contact information, applicants may call the FEMA helpline at: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585 for the speech- or hearing-impaired. Lines are open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. (CST) seven days a week until further notice.

Report News: (662) 252-4261 or south@dixie-net.com
Questions, comments, corrections: south@dixie-net.com
©2004, The South Reporter, All Rights Reserved.
No part of this site may be reproduced in any way without permission.
The South Reporter is a member of the Mississippi Press Association.

Web Site managed and maintained by
South Reporter webmasters Linda Jones, Kristian Jones
Web Site Design - The South Reporter

Back | Top of Page