FEMA reminds residents to use disaster assistance appropriately
With the deadline for Federal Emergency Management Agency grants right around the corner, FEMA's latest press release reminds applicants to save their receipts.
FEMA is telling residents affected by the May 10 storms and tornadoes to use any money from the federal government for its intended purpose and to keep receipts for three years.
"Disaster assistance is intended to help you pay for basic necessities lost because of the May 10 severe storms and tornadoes," the release said. "If you spend the grant on anything other than the purpose for which it is intended, you may be denied future disaster assistance."
Within a day or two of the assistance check or direct deposit, a letter from FEMA explaining what the payment is to be used for arrives. If residents seek to use the money for anything other than its purpose, FEMA may ask for the money to be returned.
The deadline to apply is Aug. 19.
Here's how to apply
Online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
Download the FEMA App (www.fema.gov/about/news-multimedia/mobile-products) or visit a Disaster Recovery Center.
Call toll-free 800-621-3362. The telephone line is open every day from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service such as VRS, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service.
To view an accessible video on how to apply, watch "Three Ways to Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance," available at www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU7wzRjByhI.
For the latest information about Florida’s recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4794. Follow FEMA on X, formerly known as Twitter, at x.com/femaregion4 or on Facebook at facebook.com/fema.
Arianna Otero is the City Solutions Reporter for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact her via email at AOtero@tallahassee.com or on Twitter/X: @ari_v_otero.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FEMA reminds residents to use disaster assistance appropriately
