FEMA Starts Call Center

National Flood Insurance Program by FEMA is established to ameliorate claims.

Though Hurricane Sandy ravaged New Jersey and surrounding areas years ago, some are still feeling the pain and burden left over by the superstorm. Recently, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) established a call center to resolve the litigation involving Hurricane Sandy claims, especially with their recently established National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Additionally, the call center was developed for a process in which Sandy survivors who have not pursued litigation can promptly have their claims reviewed if they feel they were underpaid. Specialists are available to assist policy-holders with the servicing of their claims, to provide general information regarding their policies or to offer technical assistance to aid in recovery.

According to a recent report, “In the wake of increasing Hurricane Sandy-related litigation, FEMA has launched a National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) call center pilot program to better support policyholders with claims servicing. Policyholders who may have questions about the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration Fact Sheet can call 1-800-621-3362, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (CST). Support is also available online by downloading a Request for Support form at www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program, which can be filled out and emailed to FEMA-NFIP-Support@fema.dhs.gov or faxed to 540-504-2360.”

The call center is also open to disaster survivors with questions about flood insurance. Each staff member is trained to ensure they provide superior service and put customers’ needs first.

Those who are policyholders who also had losses from Hurricane Sandy can get their claims reviewed. You can submit a request for review by completing one of the following by Sept. 15:

• Call toll-free at 866-337-4262
• Email by downloading an application online and submitting it to FEMA-sandyclaimsreview@fema.dhs.gov
• Fax by downloading an application online and submitting it to 202-646-7970

For individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability using 711 or VRS, please call 1-866-337-4262.  For individuals using a TTY, please call 800-462-7585.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is part of the United States Department of Homeland Security. The agency’s primary purpose is to coordinate the response to a disaster that has occurred in the United States and that overwhelms the resources of local and state authorities. The governor of the state in which the disaster occurs must declare a state of emergency and formally request from the president that FEMA and the federal government respond to the disaster. FEMA also provides these services for territories of the United States, such as Puerto Rico.

  FEMA, hurricane sandy, NFIP