How to Get FEMA Relief for Debby Damage in Pinellas

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, in conjunction with state and local agencies, is offering federal assistance to Largo area residents and businesses damaged by Tropical Storm Debby.

President Obama earlier .

Disaster relief is available for damages not covered by personal insurance, including home repairs, rental assistance, medical expenses, unemployment assistance, transportation or other disaster-related expenses and serious needs.

Low interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration are also available.

Claimants must register through FEMA in any of several ways:

• Internet at www.disasterassistance.gov  
• Smart phone or tablet using the FEMA app or m.fema.gov
• Call (800) 621-3362/(800) 462-7585 (TTY). Phone calls will be accepted from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Application deadline is 60 days from July 3.

FEMA resquests that claimants have the following information ready when registering:

• Phone number where the claimant can be reached
• Address at time of the disaster and a temporary address if damaged has displaced claimant)
• Claimant’s Social Security number
• General description of the damage
• Insurance company name, policy number and name of agent
• Bank account routing information if receiving direct deposit reimbursements.

FEMA Community Relations volunteers will go door to door in the community to explain this disaster relief program. Representatives will travel in pairs, dress in FEMA staff shirts and have FEMA ID tags.

For SBA disaster loan information, please call (800) 659-2955/(800) 877-8339 (TTY) or visit www.sba.gov.

Pinellas County Economic Development’s Small Business Development Center, 13805 58th St. N., Suite 1-200, in Clearwater will provide information on low-interest SBA disaster loans. Please call (727) 453-7200 or visit www.pced.org/entrepreneurs, or email businesshelp@pinellascounty.org.

Complete county disaster preparedness information is available at www.pinellascounty.org/emergency.