Whether applying online or over the phone, have a pen and paper and the following information ready:
· Social Security number.
· Current and pre-disaster address.
· A telephone number where the person can be contacted.
· Insurance information.
· Total household annual income
· A routing and account number from the person's bank (only necessary if one wants to have disaster assistance funds transferred directly into his/her bank account)
· A description of the losses that were caused by the disaster.
The center will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., until further notice.
Flood survivors can get information about individual disaster assistance and can start the the process of applying for indivdual FEMA disaster assistance by registering with FEMA. Individuals may also apply for assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585. The toll-free numbers are staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Help in all languages is available.
Once registered, disaster recovery specialists at the recovery center can check an individual's case, answer questions about their claim, or review information needed to process their claim. Recovery specialists also can supply contacts for other programs that may be able to help.
Only families living in the 30012 and 30094 zip codes will be eligible for FEMA assistance and the family must meet FEMA's guidelines in order to receive assistance, according to United Way of Rockdale County Area Director Claire Cline.
The center will also have representatives from the Salvation Army, Red Cross, Georgia Department of Labor, Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Georgia Insurance Commissioner.
For families already eligible and receiving food stamps, Lynne Boring with the Rockdale County Department of Family and Children's Services DFACS said they will be able to provide replacement stamps on site.
Rockdale Emergency Relief is operating as the "hub" for local disaster assistance, especially for families that do not qualify for FEMA assistance.
Individuals may also apply for assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585. The toll-free numbers are staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Help in all languages is available.
Once registered, disaster recovery specialists at the recovery center can check an individual's case, answer questions about their claim, or review information needed to process their claim. Recovery specialists also can supply contacts for other programs that may be able to help.
This center will be the 10th disaster recovery center set up in a flood-affected county in the metro-Atlanta area.
April Fallon, with Rockdale County Public Schools, advises families that have been displaced and are staying in temporary locations that they will arrange school transportation even if they're not staying in their former districts. She suggests they contact the principal at their child's school to make arrangements.
Current estimates are that 35-50 families have been displaced in Rockdale county due to flood damage. Of these, approximately eight are still in temporary shelter provided by Rockdale Emergency Relief, according to Ashley Roesler, executive director. Among the mounting obstacles they face are transportation challenges getting to and from work.
To make a donation, you may contact Rockdale Emergency Relief at 770-922-0165. The United Way has designated a fund specifically for Rockdale Disaster Relief and can be reached at
For more information on Georgia's disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov or www.gema.ga.gov or www.ready.ga.gov or http://twitter.com/GeorgiaEMA or www.afcema.com. Further information may be obtained on the Rockdale County website, www.rockdalecounty.org.
