After every new disaster, there are always lessons learned.  Many lessons still remain unheeded such as informing FEMA of any changes in contact information.  If your residence is impacted and you temporarily move in with a friend or family member, or into a hotel, and then find a more suitable housing solution and move again, FEMA still needs to be able to reach you…

If FEMA can’t find you, they can’t help you.  Also, remember, you have a right to appeal a FEMA decision.  Updated information regarding insurance settlements, employments changes, and any number of possible changes from the information on your original application can impact your FEMA award.

“If an applicant changes a name, mailing address, bank account or telephone number, it is important to let FEMA know in order for changes to be made in the applicant’s case file. If an applicant is denied assistance, a call to the Helpline will yield help in starting a proper appeal of that decision. In communicating with the Helpline, applicants should have their unique application identification number available in order for the information to be placed in the correct file for further action.”

For information on more some simple lessons learned, click here.