POLK COUNTY, Fla. – Outreach agents with the Federal Emergency Management Agency were in Polk County Wednesday on the first day of a door-to-door mission to take applications for individual federal assistance.
FEMA spokesman Peter Sessum told News 6 approval of federal assistance will be determined “on a case-by-case basis.”
“If you have damage, you should register,” Sessum said. ” There is no pool of money that you are taking from someone else, so whatever you are entitled to you are entitled to.”
About one dozen FEMA agents gathered at a Walmart Parking lot in Lakeland for a briefing and first assignments for what could be a monthlong neighborhood-by-neighborhood mission.
Sessum told News 6 anyone applying for benefits should have key information ready to speed up the process including: Social Security number, daytime telephone number, current mailing address, address and ZIP code of damaged property, bankrouting number and private insurance information (if available).
Remember, if you have damage from the storm you may be eligible but by law FEMA can not duplicate benefits provided by your insurance company.
Think of it as a sort of second-tier insurance.
For more Information, go to www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call FEMA’s helpline at 800-621-3362 for voice, 711 and video relay service (VRS).
Survivors who are deaf, hard of hearing or who have difficulty speaking and use a TTY, should call 800-462-7585. The lines are open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET until further notice. Survivors may also register by downloading the FEMA mobile app.