How to Apply for FEMA Financial Assistance After a Disaster

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Nov 1, 2024
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How to Apply for FEMA Financial Assistance After a Disaster

Your home has been damaged by a natural disaster, and you wonder what’s next. The government agency that can help you after a disaster is the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Money for individuals and families becomes available when a presidential declaration is made for your area. List of all Disaster Declarations.

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Disclaimer: This publication is legal information only and is not legal advice about your individual situation. It is current as of the date posted. We try to update our materials regularly. However, laws are regularly changing. If you want to make sure the law has not changed, contact DRC or another legal office.

I. Understanding the Individuals and Household Program

How can FEMA help me after a disaster?

Your home has been damaged by a natural disaster, and you wonder what’s next. The government agency that can help you after a disaster is the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Money for individuals and families becomes available when a presidential declaration is made for your area. List of all Disaster Declarations.

The Individuals and Households Program (IHP) helps survivors recover from a disaster by providing direct services and money to make post-disaster repairs. However, it is important to understand that IHP aid is only available to meet your basic needs. The goal of FEMA funds is to make your home safe to live in, not to restore your home to the same condition it was in before the disaster.

If you receive income assistance such as Social Security Income (SSI/SSDI), FEMA funds are not considered income. Receipt of FEMA financial assistance will not impact your eligibility to receive other federal aid.

What does IHP assistance cover?

IHP assistance is broken down into two categories: Housing Assistance and Other Needs Assistance.

1. Housing Assistance

Housing Assistance can be used for:

  • Home repairs
  • Rent, if you must rent another place because your home is unsafe after a disaster
  • A hotel or temporary lodging if your home is not safe to stay in. FEMA may also provide you with temporary housing in a trailer or mobile home during this time.
  • Replacing your home if it is destroyed in a disaster.

2. Other Needs Assistance

Other Needs Assistance (ONA) can help cover other needs that are not home repairs. This category offers flexibility, allowing you to get money to help provide for financial needs beyond home expenses after a disaster. Some Other Needs Assistance is provided as a low-interest, long-term loan from the Small Business Administration. These loans can be used for moving and storage expenses, transportation assistance, flood insurance, or replacement or repair of necessary personal property.

There are other types of Other Needs Assistance that do not depend on the Small Business Administration, for example, expenses for funerals, medical and dental bills, critical needs assistance (basic daily needs of water, food, medicine, hygiene items), cleaning and/or removal assistance, childcare.

II. Eligibility

The Individuals and Households Program (IHP) has specific eligibility requirements. The general requirements to get IHP aid are:

1. Citizenship Status:

Applicants must be US citizens, non-citizen nationals, or qualified non-citizens. A qualified non-citizen includes a legal permanent resident (“green card” holder), an asylee, a refugee, a non-citizen whose deportation is being withheld, or a non-citizen paroled into the U.S. for at least one year.

A non-citizen may still be able to receive aid if they are the parent or guardian applying on behalf of a minor child who is a U.S. citizen and lives in the same household.

2. Identity Verification:

FEMA must verify an applicant’s identity with a valid Social Security Number (SSN) before they can give out aid. If applying on behalf of a minor child, FEMA will need a copy of the child’s birth certificate and a copy of the child’s Social Security card or documentation from the Social Security Administration (SSA).

3. Insurance

FEMA is meant to help those who are either uninsured or underinsured. If you do not have home or renter’s insurance, you are uninsured. If you have some home or renter’s insurance but did not receive enough from your claim to cover expenses and serious needs caused by the disaster, you are underinsured. You must inform FEMA of all insurance coverage available to you and provide documentation of your insurance settlements or money you received for repairs.

4. Proof of Occupancy – Owners and Renters

You must show proof that you owned or lived in the home or apartment that was damaged and that it was your only home or apartment. FEMA will not assist with vacation homes or short-term rental properties. This proof is not required for people seeking assistance with transportation, funeral expenses, medical and/or dental expenses, childcare, and critical needs assistance.

If FEMA cannot verify your ownership or occupancy of the home, it may require additional documentation from you.

Renters: To show proof of occupancy, FEMA may ask for one of the following: Owners: To show proof of ownership, FEMA may ask for one of the following:
  1. Your leasing or housing agreement
  2. Rent receipts
  3. Utility bill(s)
  4. Pay stub(s)
  5. Bank or credit card statement(s)
  6. Your driver’s license, state ID, or voter registration ID
  7. A public official’s statement
  8. A medical provider’s bill
  9. Social service organization documents
  10. Motor vehicle registration
  11. Letter or mail delivered to your address from employer, public official, social service org, local school or school district, mobile home park owner or manager
  1. Your deed or title
  2. Mortgage documentation
  3. Homeowners insurance documentation
  4. Property tax receipt or bill
  5. Manufactured home certificate or title
  6. Home purchase contracts
  7. Last will and testament (with death certificate) naming you heir to property
  8. Receipts for major repairs or maintenance dated within 5 years prior to the disaster
  9. Letter prepared after the disaster from mobile home park or manager or public official that meet FEMA requirements

If you are unable to provide FEMA with any of the documentation above, FEMA may accept a written statement explaining your circumstances. The statement must include:

  1. The address of your home damaged in the disaster,
  2. Length of time you lived in the disaster-damaged home, as your primary residence, prior to the presidential disaster declaration,
  3. You or your co-applicant’s name and signature, and
  4. A statement as to the good faith effort to obtain documentation and why you could not get the traditional documents.

5. Students

Students who live in university housing damaged by a disaster may be eligible for IHP. Students who are dependents of their parents or guardians do not qualify for housing assistance from FEMA. However, all students living in disaster damaged university housing can apply for personal property assistance to replace items in their dorm or unit.

6. Residents of Assisted Living Facilities

For those living in assisted living facilities, many of your needs post-disaster (for example, temporary disaster housing) should be taken care of by your facility. However, for those things your facility does not cover, you can get help from FEMA. This could be assistance with housing repair/replacement, personal property repair/replacement, or any other vital needs that are not taken care of by your facility.

III. Understanding the Application

The deadline to apply for FEMA assistance is 18 months from the date of the Presidential disaster declaration.

You can apply for FEMA assistance in three ways:

  1. Submit an application online,
  2. Call and apply with an agent at 1(800) 621-3362, or
  3. Find and visit a local FEMA office location.

If you need translation services to fill out your application, FEMA offers translation services free of charge. If you need an ASL interpreter, text FEMA’s Sign Language Interpreter Request Line at 1(202)372-7717 for help with the application. For more information about interpreters or other language services, call the FEMA registration helpline toll free 1(800)621-3362.

Within two weeks of applying for IHP, FEMA will reach out to schedule an inspection so they can verify any damage you report in your application. During an inspection, a FEMA inspector will evaluate any disaster-damaged property or structures and take pictures for FEMA to review. Before the inspection is over, your inspector should confirm with you that they saw all of the damage they needed to and describe the next steps in the process to you. If you cannot physically meet the inspector for the visit, you can write to FEMA to authorize another adult to attend the inspection on your behalf.

Once your application is submitted, you can contact FEMA’s Helpline (800-621-3362) to request information about your application, including but not limited to status updates about when you can expect to get your decision, types and amount of assistance awarded to you, or any required documentation FEMA needs to complete their determination.

Denials and Appeals

If your application is denied, FEMA decisions can be appealed. You can appeal by submitting a signed letter explaining why you believe FEMA’s decision is incorrect and copies of any supporting documents. You have 60 days from the date you receive your decision letter to submit your appeal. Once you submit your appeal, FEMA will reevaluate your case and let you know if they need any additional supporting documents.

Common reasons for application denial:

  • You have home or renters’ insurance: Your application will be denied if you have home or renters’ insurance that covers all of your repair costs. You may appeal if your insurance settlement did not give you enough funds to meet your needs or you run out of additional living expenses they provided.
    • If your insurance company denied your claim, you may appeal and provide the denial letter to show proof you need FEMA aid.
  • You reported no home damage when you registered with FEMA. You may need financial assistance that is not covered by IHP but may be covered under other types of FEMA assistance.
  • Your home is safe to occupy: If FEMA finds your home is safe to live in, they will not offer aid. If this is wrong, explain why in your appeal.
  • There were issues verifying identity or occupancy: If FEMA cannot prove your identity, they may deny your application. You may appeal and submit more documentation to help show proof of your identity or occupancy.

IV. Drafting a FEMA Appeal Letter

Every page of any letter and document you submit in your appeal should have the following information at the top:

  1. Your full name
  2. Your FEMA application number and disaster number
    (You can find your application and disaster numbers on page 1 of your determination letter)
  3. Your disaster home address
  4. Your current phone number

Sample FEMA Appeal Letter:

[Applicant Name]

[Application Number]

[Disaster Number]

[Street Address]

[City, State, Zip]

[Phone Number]

Dear FEMA,

On February 17, 2016, I received a letter from you stating that I am ineligible for assistance because I have insurance. I would like to appeal your decision, as my insurance company will not cover the damages.

Enclosed please find my insurance denial letter showing that I do not have insurance coverage for the damage to my home and personal property located at 123 Main Street, Everytown, Virginia

Please review the enclosed information and reconsider your decision.

Thank you,

[Applicant Name]

[Signature]

You can submit the appeal 4 different ways:

  1. Mail the letter and attached documents to:
    FEMA National Processing Service Center
    P.O. Box 10055
    Hyattsville, MD
    20782-7055
  2. Fax the appeal letter and attached documents to 800-827-7055.
  3. You can upload your appeal online.
  4. Visit a FEMA drive-thru Disaster Recovery Center. Find your closest center by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585, or by going online.

Applicants can request a live hearing as part of their appeal when there is an issue of identity theft, credibility, truthfulness, or if FEMA finds they cannot decide whether to approve or deny your application only by reviewing your documents. If FEMA denies your request for a live hearing, their decision is final and you cannot appeal it. They will still evaluate your case using your documents and written letter.

FEMA will provide a final decision on your appeal within 90 days of receiving your written appeal or within 45 days if you have a live hearing.

V. After Receiving Your Aid

Once your application is approved, you should receive your funds within two weeks. If you set up direct deposit on your FEMA online profile, the funds should be in your account within 10 days. If you choose to receive a paper check, it could take up to two weeks.

In your decision letter, there will be guidance as to how you should spend your IHP funds. Disaster grants should not be used for travel, entertainment, regular living expenses, or any expenses not related to the disaster. If FEMA finds out that grant money is used incorrectly, you may have to repay FEMA and you could lose eligibility for further federal assistance in the future. To protect yourself, keep the receipts for three years to show how you spent your FEMA aid.

If you receive direct housing assistance from FEMA, pay attention to when the aid expires. After you’ve received temporary housing, if you need to extend your stay in the temporary housing you can apply to continue/extend your temporary housing assistance. To apply for Continued Temporary Housing Assistance, complete “FEMA Form FF-104-FY-21-115: Application for Continued Temporary Housing Assistance” and return it to FEMA along with any necessary supporting documentation.

VI. Resources