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Disaster Recovery Information

We're here to help.







We hope you and your family remained safe through the storm. If you were affected by the storm and need assistance, we're here to help you. 

 
Please exercise caution and be wary of potential scams or fraudulent activities following the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia. It is important to verify the legitimacy of any requests for donations, repairs, or assistance before providing any personal or financial information. Click here to learn more.
 

Personal and Business Accounts

  • If you are unable to get to a branch, please use our online or mobile banking for immediate access to your accounts.
  • In addition to our First Federal Bank ATMs you also have access to the AllPoint Network.
  • If your business uses Clover for merchant services and your processing systems have been damaged by the storm, please call 855-401-8152 for assistance.
  • Business customers who were impacted by the storm and in need of financial assistance, state assistance may be available to you. 

Mortgage, Personal, and Business Loans

If you have a loan with us and have been affected by the storm and are in need of assistance, we’re here to help. We understand that storm damage may have impacted your financial situation and may result in late or missed payments. Our Loan Servicing Specialists can offer guidance and information about your loan. If your home has been damaged, you should contact your insurance agent immediately to file a claim.

If you live in a FEMA-declared disaster area and have been impacted, you may qualify for several forms of assistance, such as:
  • No negative information being reported to the credit bureaus
  • Payment disaster forbearance options. (If financially feasible, continuing to make your regularly scheduled mortgage payments is suggested. If you do qualify for a disaster forbearance, any unpaid payments will become due at the end of the disaster forbearance period.)
Please give our Loan Servicing Specialists a call so we can work with you: 

  • If you make your mortgage, personal loan, or business loan payment to First Federal, and you've had damage to your property, call 877-499-0572 or email loanservicing@ffbf.com.
  • If you make your mortgage payment to LoanCare, please call one of the following numbers:
  • If you're not sure who services your mortgage, please call 877-499-0572.

Natural Disaster - Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where can I access information regarding the recent natural disaster?

A: Please visit FEMA’s website for additional information. fema.gov/disasters(Opens in a new Window)

Q: What options are available to me, since I have been impacted by a natural disaster?

A: If your property is located in a FEMA declared disaster zone, you may be eligible for Forbearance. If your property is not located in a FEMA declared disaster zone, please monitor fema.gov/disasters(Opens in a new Window) for additional updates. If the natural disaster will cause you financial hardship and you are not in a FEMA declared disaster zone, please contact us for alternative options.

Q: What is forbearance?

A: Forbearance is a temporary suspension of your monthly mortgage payment. During Forbearance, your payments are suspended for a set period of time.

Q: Am I eligible for forbearance?

A: If you have been directly impacted either due to property damage and/or financially from the recent natural disaster, you may qualify for a forbearance plan for a minimum of 3 months in order to recover from this difficult time. 

Q: Am I eligible if my employer has been impacted by the natural disaster?

A: Yes. If your employment status has been impacted by the recent natural disaster, you may qualify for a forbearance plan due to the financial impact incurred. 

Q: Will the mortgage company be sending any documentation to FEMA on my behalf?

A: You will need to contact FEMA directly to apply for disaster relief. If you have not already done so, please contact FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or visit FEMA online at DisasterAssistance.gov(Opens in a new Window), to review assistance options that are available to you.

Q: What happens if I don’t have flood insurance?

A: If you do not have flood insurance, please contact FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or visit FEMA online at DisasterAssistance.gov(Opens in a new Window), to review assistance options that are available to you.

Q: I received a claims check from my insurance carrier and it is made out to my mortgage company. Why is that?

A: Typically, your mortgage company will also be listed on your insurance claim check and therefore require our endorsement. This is due to both federal regulations and your mortgage agreement to ensure your property is restored back to normal as soon as possible. 

Q: Is there mortgage insurance for disaster victims?

A: Yes. The Section 203(h) program allows the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to insure mortgages made by qualified lenders to victims of a major disaster who have lost their homes and are in the process of rebuilding or buying another home. The Federal Government helps victims in Presidentially designated disaster areas recover by making it easier for them to get mortgages and become homeowners or re-establish themselves as homeowners. For more information contact your loan officer or click here.

Q: Where can I donate money to help with disaster relief?

A: We always recommend going to the charity of your choice directly to make donations. Avoid links on social media and emails as they can be associated with scams. To learn more, read our blog post about disaster relief donations.