If you receive a letter from FEMA and you disagree with FEMA’s decision about your eligibility, you can appeal the decision. FEMA might need more information to continue processing your application.
Once FEMA has reviewed your application, the results of the inspection and/or documentation received, you will receive a letter explaining:
- Whether you are approved for assistance.
- How much assistance you will receive.
- How the assistance must be used.
- How to appeal FEMA’s decision if you do not agree with it.
If you are initially not approved for assistance, you may appeal within 60 days of the date of the decision letter.
If you have questions regarding the letter you received or how to file an appeal, you may call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.
What to Include When You Appeal
The letter sent from FEMA will provide additional information on the types of documents or information that will need to be provided if you choose to appeal FEMA’s initial decision. The documents apply specifically to the decision made. For example, if you are appealing for additional assistance to help repair your home, you will want to provide FEMA with any receipts, bills or repair estimates received for the repairs needed for your home as a result of the disaster.
Along with the letter, FEMA will also include an optional appeal form that may be used to help provide additional information, if you choose to provide additional information.
When submitting any documentation or information to FEMA, you must include your FEMA application number and disaster number on every page.
If you choose to have a third party submit an appeal on your behalf, include a statement signed by you authorizing the third party to appeal a decision on your behalf unless those documents are already on file.
How to Submit Your Appeal
You can submit your appeal and supporting documentation:
- Online at DisasterAssistance.gov. Log into your account and to upload all supporting documents use the Correspondence "Upload Center."
- In-person at a Disaster Recovery Center.
- By mail: FEMA Individuals & Households Program, National Processing Center P.O. Box 10055 Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055
- By fax: (800) 827-8112, Attention: FEMA – Individuals & Households Program
After Submitting Your Appeal
All appeals are reviewed. Decisions may take up to 90 days.
Additional information may be requested from you if FEMA does not have enough information to make a decision.
You will be notified in writing of the response to your appeal, either by mail or via the DisasterAssistance.gov account you created when you applied with FEMA.
Stay in Touch with FEMA
If you applied for FEMA assistance, ensure that FEMA has your current contact information. FEMA may need to contact you for additional information. If your contact information has changed, you should update your FEMA application immediately. You can do so online at your DisasterAssistance.gov account or call 800-621-3362.
For the latest information about Florida’s recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4794. Follow FEMA on X, formerly known as Twitter, at x.com/femaregion4 or on Facebook at facebook.com/fema.