FEMA Claims Process, from FEMA website

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Unedited, from http://www.fema.gov/about/process/index.shtm :

Call to Apply for Assistance 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). The speech or hearing impaired may call (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. You may also register online.

For use ONLY by people in designated federal disaster areas.
Be prepared to give your Social Security number, describe your losses, provide financial information, and give directions to the damaged property.
What You Can Do If You're Having Trouble Getting Through
If you get a busy signal, try to call in the evening after 6:00 p.m. or on the weekends when call volumes tend to be lighter.
The information you provide is put into the computer

You are now in the system
The recovery process begins
If you have questions, review the Applicant Assistance Guide or visit Frequently Asked Questions.

If you are unable to find the information you are seeking, call FEMA's Helpline at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). The speech or hearing impaired may call (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Refer to the application number the registrars gave you when you applied.
Making an optional visit to a Disaster Recovery Center to receive more information after you have registered by phone

Here you will find local, state, federal, and voluntary agencies that may be able to assist you
Inspector will call to schedule an appointment.

There is NO FEE for the inspection.
Inspectors will set up an appointment to visit your property within a few days of application.
Inspectors are contractors; they are not FEMA employees, but they will have FEMA ID.
Inspector will visit damaged property.

Be present for your scheduled appointment.
They will inspect the damage, verify ownership and occupancy, and make a report. Inspectors do not determine eligibility.
If eligible, you will receive a housing assistance check within 7-10 days.
If eligible, housing assistance check will arrive.

Money may be spent for housing needs.
Packet will arrive in mail.

There may be an SBA application enclosed.
You MUST fill out and return this to be eligble for any further assistance.
Refer to SBA home page for more information.
To reduce future loss, consider taking steps to rebuild safer and smarter.

Take measures to reduce losses in the future.
Encourage community to participate in National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Consider buying flood insurance.
Call the FEMA Fraud Hotline if you suspect someone is filing false damage claims

1-800-323-8603
Make sure disaster aid goes to those who deserve it.
It is a violation of Federal law to file a false claim.

(If you go to the page to register online, you find the following:)

Please only register ONE time online or by phone. Registering more than once will delay processing your case.

If you believe that your online registration was not saved, please go to the Individual Assistance Center (IAC). Select the “Create My Account” option and follow the instructions for creating an account. You will get a PIN and password, via e-mail, for checking the status of your application.

You must wait 24 hours after receiving your PIN and Password to return to the Individual Assistance Center (IAC) to check your registration.

In most cases, you will find your application and that means you do not need to register again.

If you do not see your application AND it has been at least 24 hours since you received your pin and password, we recommend registering again. However, if you do not wait 24 hours before re-registering, multiple registrations may be recorded and that will delay processing your case.