Use Disaster Assistance Checks Wisely

Release Date: June 6, 2011
Release Number: 1980-032

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COLUMBIA, Mo. – With thousands of sizeable disaster assistance checks being distributed to survivors of the recent severe storms, flooding and tornadoes in Missouri, state and federal officials are urging recipients to handle the money with caution and confine spending to disaster-related losses.

Eligible storm survivors may receive disaster assistance either by direct deposit to the applicant’s bank account or arrive as a check by mail at the address indicated on the disaster-assistance application.

Libby Turner, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) official in charge of federal recovery operations, said that experience shows that disposition of assistance checks often causes problems for some survivors in every disaster.

“This is a time when people are particularly vulnerable and predators are quick to take advantage of them,” said Turner. “When dealing with thousands of dollars, caution is the operative word.”

Checks received by mail should be deposited in the applicant’s bank account as soon as possible as large sums of cash should not be carried around.

Applicants also are urged to avoid the temptation to pay household bills with the money or make purchases unrelated to needs created by the disaster. Receipts for disaster spending should be kept.

Survivors with questions about their particular disaster assistance situations should call the FEMA Helpline, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). For a face-to-face meeting with disaster recovery experts, visit the nearest FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Center.  Individuals with hearing or speech impairment may call TTY 1-800-462-7585, or use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS) to call 1-800-621-3362.