April 2020 Update: If you are looking for COVID-19 Federal Stimulus information it is on our home page.
For other disaster assistance please keep reading –
When state and local resources are overwhelmed by a disaster, the governor requests the president to issue a Major Disaster Declaration. That declaration activates federal assistance programs for families and individuals.
Types of assistance available include:
- Post-disaster trauma counseling
- Grants and low-interest loans
- Temporary housing
There are four ways to register for assistance:
- Smartphone: m.fema.gov
- Teletypewriter, or TTY: 800-462-7585
- Phone: 800-621-3362
- Online: DisasterAssistance.gov
To find a mobile, contact the Disaster Recovery Center. The FEMA Housing Portal provides housing Assistance. To request an appeal if denied a FEMA grant, write
FEMA
National Processing Service Center
P.O. Box 10055
Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055
The fax number is 800-827-8112. Submit with Attention: FEMA – Individuals & Household Programs.
FEMA does not activate all disaster relief and assistance programs in every disaster situation. The nature of the damage dictates the programs made available. The losses suffered must have occurred at the location covered by the Major Disaster Declaration.
The area covered can be found quickly on FEMA’s Federal Disaster Declaration website. The criteria used to determine a major disaster area include:
- Type and amount of damage
- Imminent threat to the public’s health and safety
- Level of insurance coverage for public facilities and homeowners
Insurance Claims
After the major disaster area determination is made, file an insurance claim for any incurred damages, with your home and auto insurance company. Failing to file an insurance claim can affect federal assistance eligibility.
By law, FEMA cannot fund losses covered by insurance. After filing, FEMA may provide some assistance under these circumstances.
Insurance Settlement is Delayed
A settlement, delayed more than 30 days, may qualify for a FEMA loan. Repayment is expected when the settlement arrives. To file, write FEMA and provide:
- A full explanation
- Insurance claim number
- Date of claim
- Documentation
Insurance Settlement Does Not Cover All the Damage
If the insurance payment doesn’t adequately cover the disaster-related needs, FEMA may help with the difference. Write FEMA and provide complete insurance documentation and a full explanation.
Exhausted Additional Living Expenses
Provide FEMA with an explanation and documentation if the maximum loss-of-use settlement offered by the insurance company is exhausted. FEMA may help with disaster-related housing needs.
Housing and Non-housing Federal Disaster Assistance
Housing and non-housing needs are the types of available direct federal disaster assistance. Housing assistance includes temporary housing and funds to replace or repair a primary residence. To qualify:
- Someone in the home must be a U.S. citizen, qualified alien, or noncitizen national
- The home must be a permanent resident
- The home must have been the applicant’s residence when the disaster occurred, but uninhabitable now due to disaster damage
Non-housing needs include:
- Medical and dental expenses
- Funeral costs
- Household and clothing items
- Tools
- Fuel for the home
- Disaster-related storage and moving
- Replacing disaster-damaged vehicles
To qualify
- Someone in the home must be a U.S. citizen, qualified alien, or noncitizen national
- Disaster-related expenses and needs must be severe
- All assistance from eligible insurance proceeds and disaster loans from the Small Business Administration must have been accepted
The lion’s share of federal assistance comes from the SBA. It provides federally subsidized loans to disaster victims who qualify for the replacement or repair of homes and personal property.
Other direct federal assistance that is available includes:
- Crisis counseling
- Disaster-related unemployment assistance
- Legal services
- Special tax consideration
Legal services include assistance with insurance claims. Disaster victims can deduct a casualty loss that amounts to more than ten percent of a tax return adjusted gross income from the current or previous year.
What Comes Next?
The status of an application can be checked within 24 hours through the same method used to apply. FEMA also mails a copy of the application with a detailed guide to walk the applicant through the process.
A FEMA inspector will contact the applicant within ten to 14 days after applying to schedule a home visit and inspection of the disaster-related damage. The review is done free of charge. The applicant must be present when the investigation takes place and must be prepared to offer proof of occupancy and ownership.
Documents proving ownership include:
- Homeowners insurance policy
- Mortgage payment book
- Tax records
- Deed
Occupancy proof consists of
- First-class government mail sent within the last three months
- Recent utility bills
- Drivers license with the current address listed
Who Qualifies?
The inspector who submits the report has no role in the determination of assistance eligibility. FEMA takes about ten days to review the inspection report. Those who qualify receive a check in the mail along with a letter explaining how the money is to be used. Direct deposit is available by supplying a bank routing number on the application.
Grants are free and require no repayment. The funds are non-transferrable and must be used as specified by FEMA. Misuse of the money will eliminate any additional assistance to be granted, and the applicant may be asked to pay back the funds.
Those who do not qualify will receive a letter of explanation as to why assistance was not granted. Applicants can appeal in written form that is mailed within 60 days of receiving the decision.
It is also possible to receive an application from FEMA to apply for an SBA loan. The application must be completed and submitted to be considered for the loan or certain types of grant assistance.
If the Small Business Administration determines an applicant does not qualify, it automatically refers the applicant back to FEMA for assistance.
Disaster Preparedness
Every U.S. household should have a home inventory, an evacuation plan, and an emergency preparedness kit. A calamity will not wait for people to get ready. FEMA recommends households have enough nonperishable food and water to last at least three days.
A first aid kit, flashlight, and extra batteries are also recommended. All homeowners should review insurance coverage annually. Standard home insurance policies cover lightning, fire, theft, wind, and hurricanes, but not earthquakes or floods.