Release Date:
July 5, 2024
FEMA can help eligible New Mexico residents repair or replace appliances, clothing, furniture, computers, essential tools, and accessibility-related items damaged by a disaster. Insurance coverage is the best way to recover after a disaster. However, FEMA assistance for personal property may be available if you are uninsured or underinsured.
What is Personal Property Assistance?
Personal Property Assistance is money to help repair or replace items inside your home that you need for daily living.
Which kinds of personal property can FEMA help with?
Personal Property Assistance can help repair or replace the following:
- Household appliances, like a refrigerator, washing machine, etc.
- Essential clothing needed due to loss, damage or contamination.
- Home Furnishings: Basic furnishings found in a bedroom, kitchen, bathroom and living room.
- Computing Devices: This includes one personal or family computer. You may be eligible for funds for additional computers required for work or school that were damaged by the disaster.
- Uniforms, books, computers, tools, and other items your household needs because your work or school requires the items.
- Wheelchairs, communication aids, and other items needed for daily living by a member of the household with a disability. Money you get for these items doesn’t count towards the maximum amount of Other Needs Assistance you can receive.
- Tools Required for Work and School: Tools and equipment required for your job and items required for educational purposes. This assistance also applies to self-employed individuals.
Who can get Personal Property Assistance?
You may get Personal Property Assistance if:
- You or someone in your household is a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified non-citizen,
- FEMA can confirm your identity,
- You live in your home most of the year, and your home is in a declared disaster area,
- A FEMA inspection or documents you send confirm that your personal property was damaged, and you don’t have other items that you can still use for daily living, and
- You don’t have insurance, or your insurance doesn’t cover the item.
Eligibility Conditions
Items must have been owned prior to the New Mexico storms that began May 24 and damaged by the storms.
- Items were owned and being used by occupants of the household.
- FEMA may not repair or replace a storm-damaged item if you own a similar item that works.
- FEMA does not provide assistance for furnishings and/or appliances provided by a landlord.
- Items used by guests and relatives who were not members of the pre-disaster household are not eligible for assistance.
Apply to FEMA
- Individuals and households in Lincoln and Otero counties and the Mescalero Apache Reservation can apply for assistance by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-3362, or by using the FEMA mobile app. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.