Frequently Asked Questions About Disasters

You can return home after an evacuation when local officials have lifted the evacuation order and declared it safe to return.

Here’s why:

• Safety is important.  Evacuation orders are issued to protect lives. Returning too early can expose you to hazards (downed power lines, structural damage, etc.) and limited resources (no electricity or water).
• Orderly, phased re-entry allows officials to assess the situation, manage traffic flow and ensure enough resources are available.

Pay close attention to official communication channels for instructions and guidance on when it’s safe to return home. 

If you can’t evacuate due to a disability or other special needs, it is important to have alternative plans in place. 

• Seek evacuation assistance from family, friends, neighbors, or support networks. Share your specific needs and accommodations with them.
• Contact your local emergency management agency for assistance.
• Call or text 911 for immediate assistance.
• Your neighbors are your lifeline. Let them know if you need assistance to evacuate.

Yes, funding for accessibility needs or home repairs may be available. During the application, you will be asked questions about your specific situation so FEMA can determine what types of assistance you are eligible for.

You may receive money to help with specific repairs to make sure your home is accessible, including:

• an exterior ramp
• bathroom grab bars
• a paved path to the home entrance

These types of accessibility repairs can be made when those features were not present prior to the disaster, and they are needed due to a pre-existing disability, or a disability caused by the disaster.

FEMA has a lot of experience handling multiple disasters at the same time.  Your application for FEMA assistance will continue to move forward regardless of other disaster activity that may be ongoing. Other disaster activity will not affect the review process of existing applications.

We understand that new disasters can raise concerns for survivors already affected by another disaster. Your application and recovery needs are still a priority.

Our team is trained to work multiple emergencies, and we’re working hard to get you the help you need as quickly as possible.

Yes, FEMA needs your insurance information when applying for assistance.  By law, FEMA cannot pay for costs related to a disaster that is already paid for by your insurance.  We need to know the extent of your insurance coverage to make sure you are not receiving funding for the same damage twice.    As a first step, we recommend that you file a claim with your insurance company as soon as possible and then apply for assistance from FEMA to see what you are eligible for. 

When you apply for FEMA assistance you will receive a letter from us. If the letter says you are “not approved” for assistance, read the rest of the letter in full, as we may just need additional information from you.  The letter will explain what kind of information we need to continue reviewing your application. Please review the letter carefully to understand what is needed.

If you have home insurance, it is common that we will send you a letter asking for more documentation about the result of your home insurance claim before we can continue reviewing your application.

Other common documentation we need include:

• Proof of insurance coverage
• Settlement of insurance claims or denial letter from insurance provider
• Proof of identity
• Proof of occupancy
• Proof of ownership
• Proof the damaged property was your primary residence when the disaster occurred.

If you lost any documentation in the disaster, you can get help replacing it: Replacing Vital Documents | FEMA.gov

If you have questions, you can always reach out to us by calling 1-800-621-3362 or by visiting a Disaster Recovery Center to speak to a FEMA representative.

If you do not agree with FEMA’s decision, you can appeal by showing why you need additional assistance. The determination letter you receive from FEMA will have more information about the types of documents you should send.

You may use an optional Appeal Request form, which is included in the determination letter you receive from FEMA. You can also choose to write and sign a letter to send with your documents to help FEMA understand why you need help. Learn more about appealing FEMA’s decision.

If you have home insurance, the first step is to immediately file a claim with your insurance company. 

When you apply for FEMA disaster assistance we will ask you about your insurance coverage, including flood, homeowners, renter’s, vehicle, mobile home, medical, burial, and more. By law, FEMA can’t pay for costs that your insurance pays for, so it’s important to contact your insurance company right away to file a claim.

Once you file your insurance claim, apply for FEMA assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 1-800-621-3362, or in person at a Disaster Recovery Center.

If 30 days or more have passed since you filed your insurance claim and you have not received your settlement, contact us at 1-800-621-3362. We may be able to provide some initial funds while you wait for your insurance payout.