[Katrina-IT-Volunteers] FAQs

[Dale Thompson]

Can someone print this out and put it in the black orientation/resource 3
ring binder on the folding table by the public computers?  Cindy - this is
great information!

Dale Thompson, Austin Free-Net

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Cindy Hintikka" <chintikka at hotmail.com>
To: <katrina-it-volunteers at soaustin.net>
Sent: Friday, September 09, 2005 10:49 PM
Subject: [Katrina-IT-Volunteers] FAQs


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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