RALEIGH, N.C. – A Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is a readily accessible facility where you may go for information about federal, state and other disaster assistance programs, and to ask questions related to your situation. It is more personal than the telephone.
You can meet face-to-face with representatives from North Carolina Emergency Management, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Small Business Administration, volunteer groups and other agencies at the centers to get answers to your questions about disaster assistance.
Some of the services offered at a DRC may include:
- Guidance about disaster recovery and eligibility
- Assistance applying
- Application status updates
- Clarification of any written correspondence received
- Please read your FEMA letter carefully to understand FEMA’s decision and what you need to do next. Many times there is just a request to submit extra documents in order for FEMA to process your application.
- You may need to include an insurance settlement letter, proof of residence, proof of ownership of the damaged property, and/or proof that the damaged property was your primary residence at the time of the disaster.
- Housing assistance and rental resource information you may not know is available
- Referrals to other agencies and state programs that may provide further assistance
- Information about disaster related funeral and other needs assistance
- Information about low-interest disaster loans.
All disaster recovery centers offer effective communication options, including captioned phones, iPads with video remote interpreting, assistive listening devices, magnifiers and onsite American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters upon request. Both Braille and Large Print FEMA documents are available. If you require a reasonable accommodation (ASL interpreting, Braille large print, etc.) while visiting a DRC, 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.
To locate the nearest DRC, download the FEMA mobile app, visit fema.gov/DRC, or call the FEMA helpline. Hours of operation are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (until further notice).
If you haven’t already registered with FEMA for federal disaster assistance, you’re encouraged to register before visiting a DRC if possible. If you need help with registering, you can do so at the DRC. You can register by downloading the FEMA mobile app, online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling the FEMA helpline.
For more information on the North Carolina recovery, visit readync.org and fema.gov/disaster/4285. Follow FEMA on Twitter at @femaregion4 and North Carolina Emergency Management at @ncemergency.
About Author
