Frequently Asked Questions About Disasters

• Internet or Smartphone Application: Apply Online at DisasterAssistance.gov
• By phone: You may call FEMA toll-free at 1-800-621-3362 to apply for assistance or check your application status. If you use a video relay service, captioned telephone service, or other communication services, please provide FEMA the specific number assigned for that service.
• In Person: If open and available, you may visit a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). To look up DRC locations:
  • Visit DisasterAssistance.gov
  • Check FEMA’s mobile app
  • Or call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362

You must appeal within 60 days of the date on your decision letter.

Before setting up an online account, you need to answer four security questions to verify your identity. These questions come from data available in public records.

To find the closest DRC, use the DRC Locator

Or text DRC and a ZIP Code to 43362. Example: DRC 01234 (standard text messaging rates apply).

If your home was unlivable due to the disaster and you had to move your personal property into another home or a storage facility to protect it from further damage, FEMA may help cover your moving and/or storage expenses.

To apply for child care assistance, you will need to provide:

• Proof that the child is a dependent and occupant of your home.
• Proof of pre- and post-disaster annual gross household income.
• Pre-disaster receipts or an affidavit for child care expenses.
• Post-disaster receipts or estimates for child care fees, registration and/or health inventory fees.
• Child care providers license information.

FEMA Home Repair Assistance is money to repair your primary home that you own and live in if it was damaged by a disaster and not covered by insurance or other means. The amount of assistance provided is based on damage verified by FEMA during inspection. Home Repair Assistance is limited and is intended to make the home livable; it is not intended to fully restore the home to its pre-disaster condition.

In addition to funds to repair or replace your damaged home or personal property, some other eligible disaster expenses may include:

• Essential items like, food, water, baby formula and other emergency supplies 
• Temporary housing expenses if you cannot return to your home or find an alternate housing solution 
• Medical or dental expenses, such as damage or loss of medical or dental equipment 
• Funeral expenses 
• Transportation repair or replacement 
• Generator purchase or rental 
• Mold remediation 

If you returned home and discovered property damage, update your application with FEMA by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.

Property damage will be evaluated by a FEMA inspector.

To be considered for FEMA disaster assistance, you must be one of the following:

• U.S. citizen
• Non-citizen national
• Qualified non-citizen

A qualified non-citizen:

• Legal permanent resident (“green card” holder)
• Non-citizens granted asylum
• Refugees
• Non-citizens whose deportation status is being withheld for at least one year
• Non-citizens paroled into the U.S. for at least one year for urgent humanitarian purposes or significant public benefit
• Cuban/Haitian entrants
• Certain battered non-citizens or their spouses or children
• Certain victims of a severe form of human trafficking, including persons with a “T” or “U” visa

If you do not meet the citizenship requirements, the household may still apply for certain forms of federal assistance if:

• The parent or legal guardian of a minor child who is a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified non-citizen applies on behalf of the minor child, so long as they live in the same household. The parent or legal guardian must apply as the co-applicant, and the minor child must be under age 18 at the time the disaster occurred.