Here are two forms of assistance eligible survivors can use to meet post-disaster housing needs.

Lodging Expense Reimbursement (LER)

• FEMA may provide LER for applicants who incur out-of-pocket hotel or motel expenses  because they could not stay in or reach their primary residences.
• Applicants must register with FEMA. 
• Applicants must not have insurance covering the cost of temporary housing or receive assistance for temporary lodging from any other source.
• Eligible lodging expenses may include the cost of the room and taxes charged by a hotel or other lodging provider. LER does not include costs associated with phone, laundry, internet, movies, food, or pet charges.
• For this disaster, applicants may be eligible for LER from March 12, 2019 through 60 days after receiving their first Rental Assistance payment from FEMA.
• Reimbursements for LER may take a minimum of two weeks to be reviewed, processed, and paid. Applicants should consider the financial impact receiving a payment two weeks after their hotel/motel will have on their disaster recovery. 
• To be considered for LER, applicants must submit verifiable receipts or itemized statements, including:
  • The applicant’s or co-applicant’s name.
  • The name, address, and phone number of the accommodation.
  • Dates of occupancy.
  • The amount of expenses incurred.

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Fact Sheet-Page 2

Rental Assistance

• Rental Assistance is provided to pre-disaster homeowners or renters to rent temporary housing when a survivor is displaced from their primary residence as a result of a presidentially declared disaster.
• Rental Assistance is intended to rent an apartment or similar housing unit but may be used at hotels or motels when traditional long-term rental accommodations are not available. 
• Applicants should consider the following when using Rental Assistance for hotel and motel stays: 
  • The initial payment for Rental Assistance is a lumpsum check for two months of Fair Market Rent. 
  • Fair Market Rent (FMR) is established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the area where the pre-disaster residence is located and the number of bedrooms the household requires. 
  • Rental Assistance will cover the cost of the hotel/motel room and room taxes. Rental Assistance does not include costs associated with phone, laundry, internet, movies, food, or pet charges.
  • If the hotels are willing to enter into longer agreements, it is best for survivors to get a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly rates.  
  • Applicants are responsible for negotiating long-term agreements with hotels/motels. Agreements can be as simple as a signed letter (on hotel letterhead) with verifiable information pertaining to address, phone number, and rental rate.  
  • An extended hotel/motel agreement is required when requesting additional Rental Assistance through the Continued Rental Assistance application.
• FEMA may provide Continued Rental Assistance to applicants who have exhausted the Rental Assistance initially provided on rent, deposit or background check.
• To be eligible, applicants must submit a Continued Rental Assistance application sent from FEMA via mail. If you received rental assistance and have not yet received an application packet, you may call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 to have one sent.
• The application details the documents that you must submit to be considered for an additional three months of Rental Assistance.
• Applicants must submit a post-disaster lease or housing agreement demonstrating they have secured somewhere to stay temporarily. This agreement must include:
  • The location of the unit.
  • The amount of rent (monthly rate, if possible). 
  • The duration of the lease. 
  • The number or names of occupants. 
  • Utilities, other fees, deposits, or costs for which the applicant may be held responsible.
  • A signature of the applicant/co-applicant and the landlord or hotel manager (an electronic signature is acceptable).