Get clients federal help faster

The Federal Emergency Management Agency offers temporary housing, counseling, low-interest loans and grants for those who are affected by events that are declared “federal disasters” by the president, as President Barack Obama did last week in Oklahoma after the destructive tornado.

Financial advisers can help guide their clients in navigating FEMA forms and procedures by making sure that they gather the following information before they apply for aid:

• Social Security number.

• Address of damaged home and where the residents are staying.

• A phone number where they can be reached.

• Property insurance information, including company name, phone number and policy number.

• Total household annual in-come.

• A routing and account number for their bank if they want disaster aid transferred directly to their account.

• A description of losses that were caused by the disaster.

Clients can register for help online at disasterassistance.gov, or by calling (800) 621-3362. Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams set up stations in affected areas to take registrations, as well.

Direct clients to keep track of the number generated for their aid application.