How (and When) To Apply for Financial Assistance From FEMA

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When faced with natural disasters like fires or hurricanes in the immediate area, it’s important to know where to call for financial assistance if the need arises. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is a federal agency that offers support to individuals and communities before, during and after natural disasters.

When To Apply for FEMA Financial Assistance

Once the president has declared your state as a disaster area and the county or place you live in is also named in the declaration, you can apply for FEMA assistance. Easily find out if an area is eligible for assistance by checking for current disasters or searching your location on the FEMA website.

Eligibility for FEMA Financial Assistance

Here are the general conditions an individual must meet for FEMA assistance eligibility, according to the agency’s website:

• Social Security number or other supporting documents to verify identity
• Citizenship status as a U.S. citizen, qualified non-citizen or non-citizen national
• Ownership or occupancy status that confirms the individual owned the residency at the time of the damage and the damaged residence is the primary residence
• Unmet need after insurance (if insurance or other programs do not cover all disaster-caused needs)

Types of Assistance Available

Also according to its website, FEMA may offer these types of assistance to individuals that meet the eligibility requirements:

• Home repair 
• Personal property 
• Displacement 
• Rental 
• Transportation 
• Serious needs 
• Funeral 
• Medical and dental 

Use the Disaster Assistance anonymous questionnaire to get a personalized list of the type of assistance available for your situation.  

How To Apply for FEMA Financial Assistance

Follow these steps to apply for assistance: 

1. Go to DisasterAssistance.gov and click the “Apply Now” button on. 
2. Create an account on Login.gov.
3. Gather your personal information, including the following:
   • The damage that happened and a description of the damage
   • Basic contact information
   • Bank account information (for direct deposit)
   • Social security number
   • Annual household income
   • Insurance information 
4. Fill out and submit an application.
5. Save and keep the application ID. 
6. Wait for FEMA to review the application.

During the time that FEMA is reviewing the application, check your application status by logging into your account.

Other Options for Applying

Here are some additional options that you can use to apply: 

• Download the FEMA app in the App Store or on Google Play and apply.
• Call 1-800-621-3362 (open 24/7) to apply. FEMA has multilingual operators available if needed. Make sure to give the service number of a captioned telephone service or video relay service that the individual uses in order to receive proper communication.

Go to a local Disaster Recovery Center and apply in person.

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