Disaster assistance is intended to help residents pay for necessities lost because of the July severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides. A letter explaining what the payment is to be used for arrives within a day or two of the check or direct deposit payment.
As eligible disaster survivors start to receive funds for rental assistance, home repairs and more, be assured federal disaster assistance funds are tax-free. FEMA’s notification letter will inform you of the appropriate uses for disaster assistance funds. FEMA urges you to use the funds as stated in your award letter: only for disaster-related expenses.
FEMA will send you a notification letter informing you of the types and amount of assistance you are eligible to receive. These may include:
- Home repairs (e.g., structure, water, septic and sewage systems);
- Rental assistance for a different place to live temporarily;
- Repair or replacement of a damaged primary vehicle;
- Uninsured out-of-pocket medical expenses for an injury caused by the disaster;
- Repair or replacement of occupational specialized tools;
- Essential educational materials (e.g., computers, schoolbooks, supplies);
- Moving and storage expenses related to the disaster; or
- Other disaster-related expenses.
If you spend the grant on anything other than the purpose for which it is intended, you may be ineligible for future disaster assistance. In some cases, FEMA may ask that the money be returned.
Those receiving assistance are urged to keep receipts for their disaster spending for three years to document that the money was used to meet disaster-related needs. If you receive an insurance settlement to cover the same expenses, you must reimburse FEMA. Audits are conducted to confirm funds were spent properly.
Survivors in Caledonia, Chittenden, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, Rutland, Washington, Windham and Windsor counties can apply for disaster assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov, by using the FEMA mobile app or by calling 800-621-3362. Language translation is available; if you use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service when you apply.
For an accessible video about how to apply for assistance, go to FEMA Accessible: Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube.
For the latest information on Vermont’s response and recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4720. Follow the FEMA Region 1 account on Twitter at twitter.com/FEMARegion1 or the FEMA Facebook at facebook.com/FEMA. Follow the Vermont Emergency Management Agency at twitter.com/vemvt on Twitter and on Facebook at facebook.com/VermontEmergencyManagement.
FEMA is committed to ensuring disaster assistance is accomplished equitably, without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. Any disaster survivor or member of the public may contact the FEMA Civil Rights Office if they feel that they are the victim of discrimination. FEMA’s Civil Rights Office can be contacted toll-free at 833-285-7448. Multilingual operators are available.