GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Hundreds of residents are lining up for assistance from FEMA now that Hurricane Irma has come and gone. But, many may be turned away for not having proper documentation or information.

“We want to help as many Florida residents as possible get the help they need,” said University of Florida IFAS Extension Highlands County Director Laurie Hurner. “While you don’t have to provide the documentation, residents are required to provide certain information.”

U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney’s staff, which has been working the general FEMA assistance lines in Highlands County for two days, offered up the following tips:

• Know your social security number so you can provide it on the application.
• Give the address of the damaged property and a detailed description of the type of property, the cause of damage (flood, wind) and extent of damage.
• Provide a phone number where a FEMA inspector can reach you.
• Give your total annual, pre-tax household income at the time of the disaster.
• Describe the types of insurance coverage you have, including homeowners, flood, automobile, or mobile home.
• If you are approved for assistance, provide an address where you would like to a check to be sent, or an account where funds can be deposited. Provide bank information, should you desire direct deposit. This includes bank name, account number and routing number.
• Once you have completed the application, record your registration number. You will need this later to check the status of your application.

For more information, call FEMA at 1-800-621-3362, or for TTY, 1-800-462-7585.

–Beverly James
UF|IFAS

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