In Case Of Emergency, Read Blog

CraigAtFEMA (a.k.a. FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate) tweeted a reminder this week: “www.DisasterAssistance.gov info how you might be able to get help from the US Gov’t before, during & after a disaster.” Though it mostly handles natural disaster aid, citizens can go there to file a claim with BP due to the oil spill.

The aim of the site is to consolidate disaster assistance information for the public in one place:

Currently, 17 U.S. Government agencies, which sponsor more than 50 forms of disaster assistance, contribute to the website. It is possible to apply for many forms of assistance with a single, online application. Application information is shared only with those agencies that the applicant identifies and is protected by the highest levels of security. Ultimately, DisasterAssistance.gov will speed the application process and allow applicants to check the progress of applications online.

DisasterAssistance.gov was developed to comply with Executive Order 13411, which requires the government to simplify the process of identifying and applying for disaster assistance. The ultimate vision for DisasterAssistance.gov is to be the collective point of application for all federal agencies that offer forms of assistance to those affected by disaster, as well as eventually provide a central repository for all forms of disaster assistance, irrespective of provider. FEMA and its sixteen partner agencies are working closely to turn this vision into reality. Individuals may still go to FEMA.gov, however, those who apply for assistance online will be redirected to the new DisasterAssistance.gov website.