Disaster Recovery Centers to Open in Miami-Dade for Florida Survivors

Disaster Recovery Centers to Open in Miami-Dade for Florida Survivors

Two Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) will open  Monday, Sept. 25, in Miami-Dade and Sarasota counties to help Florida storm survivors. The DRCs will be open  8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

Disaster Recovery Centers offer in-person support to individuals and small business owners. Recovery specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and the State, are available to provide assistance to anyone with filling out applications or updating their status. Voluntary organizations are available and offer a variety of services to help survivors recover.

The DRCs are at the following addresses:

As more centers open, survivors may locate one near them at  https://www.fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers or by calling FEMA Helpline at  800-621-3362, (TTY) 800-462-7585. Helpline numbers are open from  7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. DRC information is also available on the  FEMA Mobile App. You can visit any open DRC to get your questions answered about the federal assistance process.

Registration is the first step in recovery and requires information such as insurance policies, and bank information for possible direct transfer of funds. Survivors are encouraged to register before visiting a DRC.

If you have phone and/or internet access, you may register in one of the following ways:

• Online at  DisasterAssistance.gov.
• Call the FEMA Helpline at  800-621-3362 for voice, 711 and Video Relay Service (VRS). If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability and use a TTY, call  800-462-7585. Information on the registration process is available in ASL at:  fema.gov/medialibrary/assets/videos/111546.
• Help is available in most languages.
• Download the  FEMA Mobile App and apply.

You may have other needs while visiting a DRC:

• If you require a reasonable accommodation such as American Sign Language interpreting, Braille, large print, etc., you may call the Helpline number for support at  800-621-3362.
• Language translations are offered through Telephonic Interpretation Services in 200 languages.

Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) crews are canvassing affected areas and are able to register survivors for FEMA assistance, if needed. Telephonic Interpretation Services are available in many languages to assist survivors with translation needs. When residents require further assistance, the teams may refer them to a DRC.

If you’re already registered, it is not necessary to visit a DRC, but you may still want to go speak with a Recovery Specialist to update your status or find help from the other organizations.

FEMA grants do not have to be repaid. FEMA assistance is nontaxable and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid or other federal benefits.

Survivors should register even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but underinsured applicants may receive help after their claims have been settled.

For more recovery information, visit  fema.gov/hurricane-irma.

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