CHARLESTON - In the wake of the severe spring flooding that impacted West Virginia residents from Feb. 27 - March 4, 2021, FEMA’s Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams are out in the affected communities to help educate flood survivors about FEMA’s programs and help them apply for FEMA disaster assistance.
Residents of Cabell, Kanawha, Mingo and Wayne counties are eligible to apply for assistance from FEMA to help with their costs for damage and losses caused by the February flood. Residents are urged to apply by Monday, July 19, 2021.
Here is how to register:
* Call 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585
* Online at DisasterAssistance.gov
* By downloading the FEMA app to a smartphone.
FEMA is helping West Virginia disaster survivors navigate the disaster assistance process in a number of ways, including outreach in Cabell, Kanawha, Mingo and Wayne counties; assisting survivors in registering for FEMA assistance in their communities; and checking the status of applications and making minor corrections to applications. Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams serve West Virginia residents in several ways:
* Through callouts to faith-based organizations, community-based organizations, private sector (businesses) and public libraries that may have the capability to distribute disaster-related information to survivors in the impacted counties.
* Identifying organizations providing disaster-related services and/or resources to survivors for immediate and long-term recovery.
* Providing flyers explaining how to apply for disaster assistance.
* Providing civil rights and disability integration assistance information to ensure equal access.
While DSA teams will be making neighborhood visits, residents of the affected counties should also be aware of potential fraud and scams by people claiming to represent FEMA:
* FEMA representatives never charge a fee or ask for payment.
* You may receive phone calls or unexpected visits to your home from people claiming they work for FEMA. The person might ask for your Social Security number and income or banking information. FEMA representatives will have a laminated identification badge and, if you have already applied, your FEMA registration number.
* Protect the privacy of your nine-digit FEMA case/registration number. Legitimate FEMA representatives will only ask for the last four digits as part of the verification process; the inspector will complete the process by providing the applicant with the first four digits of the registration ID.
FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams have been working to help residents of Cabell, Kanawha, Mingo and Wayne counties affected by the Feb. 27-March 4, 2021, flooding. The DSA teams are helping residents with the registration process for FEMA disaster assistance. (Philip Maramba/FEMA)
FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams have been working to help residents of Cabell, Kanawha, Mingo and Wayne counties affected by the Feb. 27-March 4, 2021, flooding. The DSA teams are conducting neighborhood visits as well as providing help at selected registration points. (Philip Maramba/FEMA)
Source: Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency
