Applications for Heroes’ Stamp Proceeds Now Being Accepted 

Release Date: December 2, 2005
Release Number: HQ-05-385

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today opened the application period to those eligible to apply for funds raised from the sale of the 9/11 Heroes Stamp. Eligible applicants are families of emergency relief personnel killed or permanently physically disabled while serving in the line of duty in connection with the terrorist attacks of Sep. 11, 2001.

The 9/11 Heroes Stamp program raised $10.5 million through the sale of more than 150 million semipostal stamps through the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to Americans nationwide. The funds will be distributed on a rolling basis in the coming months.

Application forms are available at www.usfa.fema.gov or by calling 1-866-887-9107 (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST) or emailing FEMA-HeroesStamp@dhs.gov. Applicants must send their completed application form with accompanying documentation to:

Heroes Stamp
U.S. Fire Administration
National Emergency Training Center
16825 South Seton Avenue
Emmitsburg, MD 21727

Applications must be received by April 3, 2006.

The Department of Homeland Security is reaching out to employers, associations, unions, survivor groups, trade press, and others to notify them of the application availability and deadline.

The Heroes Stamp Act (Public Law 107-67, section 652, 115 U.S. Statutes at Large 514 (2001)), passed by Congress and signed by President Bush, directed the USPS to issue a semipostal stamp and distribute the proceeds through the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency to the families of emergency relief personnel killed or permanently disabled on 9/11. The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) was charged with the development of the rule as well as with administration of the program.

A semipostal stamp is sold for a value greater than that of a regular first class stamp. The proceeds from the price differential fund the grants provided for in the Act, after appropriate deduction for reasonable costs of producing and distributing the semipostal stamps. The USPS issued the Heroes semipostal stamp in June 2002 and discontinued selling the stamp on Dec. 31, 2004.

FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program.

Last Modified: Friday, 02-Dec-2005 14:51:52