[Katrina-IT-Volunteers] FAQs

[Cindy Hintikka]

FYI – answers to some FAQs concerning FEMA and the general procedure 
evacuees go through (as of Friday, 9/9):

1) What can I do if I’m having trouble with the online FEMA registration?

In theory, you can call the FEMA Technical Helpdesk at 1-800-745-0243.   
However, FEMA reps told us today that there are problems getting through 
nationwide.  The powers-to-be are aware of the situation.

Also, in theory you can call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) to complete the 
registration on the phone, or to update the application with a new phone 
number, etc.   (It would be a good idea to put this number on the back of 
those wonderful little slips of paper that we use to record their email 
address and FEMA info.)

2) Is it advantageous to evacuees to register for FEMA at the public 
internet computers?   I ask this because if people register online, it takes 
a long time before they eventually receive a package in the mail.   Can the 
FEMA reps at the SW corner of the building provide aid more quickly?

Yes, it is advantageous for people to register for FEMA at these computers.  
It will save them time.  The FEMA people are using the same website to 
register them as we are, and are not providing any services other than 
filing this application for them.   FEMA is not distributing any benefits at 
the Austin Convention Center, as of 9/9.    They are only providing a form 
that has their FEMA ID# on it.   However, everyone must go see the FEMA 
reps, even if we have already registered them.    (See below.)  The FEMA 
people are very happy that we are providing this service.

3) What is the address of the Convention Center?

You probably do not need to know it.  People should use their P.O. Box 
number as their current address on everything they do.

4) Does an evacuee really need an email address, FEMA user id, password, and 
PIN number to get FEMA benefits?

No.  The email address is just gravy.  The user id, password and PIN simply 
enable them to check the status of their application online.   (They should 
be informed that there are public internet computers available at the public 
libraries that they could use free of charge for this, or any legal purpose 
after they leave here.)

5)  What is the process that the evacuees must go through to get benefits 
here?

As of Friday, 9/9, once evacuees are admitted to and settled at the 
Convention Center, they need to go to some desks that are located to the 
north of the Hair Salon.   At these desks they are asked to fill out a 
questionnaire and are given a sheet of paper that identifies the steps they 
should go through here to get various benefits.  I believe this is based on 
need.  Then they are issued a yellow card with a large number on it.

This number determines when they are admitted into the halls at the SW 
corner of the building where benefits are actually being distributed.   For 
example, at one point today, I believe they were taking people with numbers 
less than 600.

Once they are admitted, everyone must go to the FEMA station to either 
register for aid or have their ID# verified.   Once they have gone through 
FEMA, there are at least 3 stations that people may visit:

-  Red Cross.  They are located just beside the FEMA tables and will issue 
rent vouchers to eligible people who have valid FEMA IDs.
-  City of Austin Housing representatives – are having a housing fair this 
weekend.  They will accept Red Cross vouchers as payment.
-  Food stamps – cards are available even without FEMA IDs.  They are 
activated in 24 hours.   An 800 number is provided to verify the activation. 
  They are good for 90 days and will be automatically reloaded on 10/1 and 
11/1.

6) If an evacuee registers online for FEMA with us and gets one of those 
wonderful little slips of paper with their FEMA ID, etc, why does he/she 
still have to stand in line to see FEMA?  (By the way, the FEMA people love 
those little slips of paper.  Thanks to the wonderful volunteers who made 
them!)

The Red Cross wants to be sure that nobody leaves the shelter without an 
application for long-term aid from FEMA.   Otherwise, when the short-term 
benefits that they get from other agencies expire, they may be in trouble.  
Since access to our computers and slips of paper is not restricted, and 
since our volunteers are not trained in the use of the FEMA website, and 
since the FEMA website is experiencing so many difficulties, FEMA 
representatives will verify that the FEMA ID# on their slip of paper is 
valid.   Fortunately, that is a much shorter task than going through the 
entire application process.  So, if everybody were to register with us while 
they were waiting for their number to be called, the whole process could be 
expedited.

7) Isn’t it risky for us to fill out their FEMA applications since we’re not 
trained?

My personal opinion - It would be great if someone from FEMA could spend a 
little time explaining things to us AND if we had a way to ensure that 
everyone volunteering at our computers would get the word before starting to 
help register people.   But perhaps we can feel better if we remember that 
fema.gov is publicly available, and so there are many people applying that 
do not have help doing so.   Presumably FEMA knows this and is 
compassionate.

8) Where should evacuees go when they are paged?

To the Family Reunion Center.

I hope this helps.
Cindy Hintikka

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