Personal Property and FEMA Assistance

FEMA assistance is limited to basic needs; it will not restore all property lost due to the May 10 severe storms and tornadoes. Insurance coverage is the best means to recover after a natural disaster. However, FEMA and State of Florida assistance may be available if you are uninsured or underinsured. 

Types of Assistance

• Appliances: Includes standard household appliances, such as a refrigerator, washing machine, etc.
• Clothing: Essential clothing needed due to loss, damage or contamination.
• Home Furnishings: Basic furnishings found in a bedroom, kitchen, bathroom and living room.
• Tools Required for Work and School: Tools and equipment required for your job and items required for education purposes. This assistance also applies to self-employed individuals.
• 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.
• Accessible Items: FEMA provides assistance for damaged personal property required for eligible applicants with disabilities.

Eligibility Conditions

• Items must have been owned prior to severe storms and tornadoes May 10 and have been damaged by the disaster.
• 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. 

Homeowners and renters can apply to FEMA in several ways:

• Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov
• Download the FEMA App
• Call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. EDT. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such a video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.
• Visit any Disaster Recovery Center. For locations and hours, go online to DRC Locator (fema.gov)

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.