GREENE COUNTY, Tenn. — The current centers help around five to 75 people in a day, Rick Brewer, a FEMA Representative said. The centers help people apply for aid, check on their application status and talk through decision letters.
"Not everybody is computer savvy. Some people want the personal touch. That's why we provide them one-on-one with one of our information specialists who will walk them through the process, tell them exactly what they need, and help them get started on the road to recovery," Brewer said.
He said the application takes 20-25 minutes. But if people miss something, their application could be rejected.
"Often times we're finding out people are missing a single document in their folder. Don't take the first no from FEMA as a hard no. Always appeal your case," he said.
On Saturday, the Federal Coordinating Officer for the Tennessee Disaster Declaration Darryl Dragoo stopped by several East Tennessee locations to check on workers and applicants and share some progress.
"We've put out more than $17 million worth of individual assistance grants. So that's a huge number and that's going out to approximately 12,070 registered households," Dragoo said.
He said being able to visit a center for assistance is vital in ensuring everyone has an equal opportunity to aid. That's true for Ann Birdwell. She and her husband lost part of their centuries-old historic home.
"It's just like a nightmare. The house dates back to the 1860s. The house told a lot of stories. Now, we're down to the studs. We hope to rebuild. But it's going to cost and our age has a lot to do with it. I just hope we can get back in, in a decent amount of time," Birdwell said.
She said she'd been putting off applying for aid. Now, that she has, she said she wished she would've sooner.
"They just came and insisted that I go because I had put it off and I did call the Washington DC number and because there's such a long waiting time, I guess I just decided not to do it today and then at all. And if the guy hadn't shown up today, which that's the third visit he's made, and hugged me and said go in now. And so that's what we did," Birdwell said.
Now she, Brewer and Dragoo are encouraging people to apply even if they don't think they'll get aid.
"That's why FEMA has set up these programs to help survivors get a jump start on their recovery. If they don't apply, we can't help," Brewer said.
To apply for FEMA assistance, you can visit their website, download their app, or call them at 800-621-3362. The deadline for assistance applications is December 2nd.