SPRINGFIELD, Vt. – The Springfield Disaster Recovery Center will close permanently on Saturday, Sept. 2, at 6 p.m. The center is currently open 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday-Saturday (closed Sunday). The center is located at the Springfield Health Center, 100 River St. in Springfield, Vt.
The locations of disaster centers that remain open can be found at www.fema.gov/disaster/4720.
FEMA operates Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) based on where they are needed most. FEMA works closely with state and municipal partners in determining those sites. Once a location begins to see a significant drop in application visits, FEMA and the state coordinate on determining the closing date.
Applying for assistance
You don’t need to visit a DRC to apply for FEMA assistance. To apply without visiting a center, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, go online to www.disasterassistance.gov, or download the FEMA App. If you use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service, or others, give FEMA your number for that service when you apply. The deadline to apply for federal assistance is Sept. 12. Applicants may call the FEMA Helpline throughout the application process, to ask a FEMA specialist questions about their application, receive clarification on letters or information from FEMA, receive technical help with their application, or receive help writing an appeal.
Within about 14 days after applying for assistance, applicants may receive a call to schedule a home inspection. That call may come from an out-of-state or unknown phone number. On the day of the home inspection, inspectors can be identified by their official FEMA photo ID badge. The inspector is examining the home to determine the necessary assistance required to make the home safe, sanitary, and functional to live in. During the home inspection, applicants are encouraged show the inspector pictures of damage to their homes and describe their circumstance and need caused by the disaster.
Submitting documents
After applying for FEMA assistance, please read any letters or information from FEMA carefully. FEMA may request additional information or documentation; this can include a summary of insurance benefits and coverage, insurance settlement, home repair receipts or estimates, proof of homeownership or occupancy, and proof of identity.
The easiest way to submit requested documents is by uploading them to the applicant’s www.disasterassistance.gov account. Alternatively, documents can be submitted through postal mail; please address the submission to FEMA Individuals Households Program National Processing Service Center, P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055.
After you apply for disaster assistance from FEMA, you may be referred to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the largest source of federal disaster funds for survivors. If you receive a disaster loan application, you are encouraged to submit it even if you’re not sure you want or need a loan. Here’s why: if SBA cannot approve your loan application, SBA will refer you back to FEMA for possible additional assistance.
FEMA is committed to ensuring disaster assistance is accomplished equitably, without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. Any disaster survivor or member of the public may contact the FEMA Civil Rights Office if they feel that they are the victim of discrimination. FEMA’s Civil Rights Office can be contacted at 833-285-7448. Multilingual operators are available.
For the latest information on Vermont’s recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4720. Follow the FEMA Region 1 account on Twitter at www.twitter.com/FEMARegion1, the FEMA Facebook page at www.facebook.com/FEMA, or Vermont Emergency Management on Twitter at www.twitter.com/vemvt and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/VermontEmergencyManagement.