HOW TO DOCUMENT HOME OWNERSHIP AND OCCUPANCY
[https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/how-document-home-ownership-and-occupancy]


Release Date: 
Aug 7, 2023 

As part of the disaster assistance process, FEMA must determine
ownership and occupancy of damaged primary residences. FEMA has made
it easier for disaster survivors in Caledonia, Chittenden, Lamoille,
Orange, Orleans, Rutland, Washington, Windham and Windsor counties
who experienced loss from the July severe storms, flooding, landslides
and mudslides to verify ownership and occupancy.

Owners and renters must prove they occupied the disaster-damaged
primary residence before receiving Housing Assistance and some types
of Other Needs Assistance. FEMA now accepts a broader range of
documentation.

OWNERSHIP

Homeowners may provide official documentation such as:

	* The original deed, deed of trust to the property, or official
record;
	* Mortgage payment booklet or other mortgage documents such as a late
payment notice, mortgage summary, escrow analysis, etc.;
	* Property tax receipt or property tax bill;
	* Manufactured home certificate or property title;
	* Structural property insurance documentation;
	* Real Estate Provision;
	* Contract for Deed;
	* Land Installment Contract; or
	* Quitclaim Deed.

In addition, FEMA will now accept a public official’s letter or
receipts for major repairs or improvements. The statement from the
public official (e.g., police chief, mayor, postmaster) must include
the applicant’s name, the address of the disaster-damaged residence,
the period of occupation and the name and telephone of the verifying
official.

Survivors with heirship properties, mobile homes or travel trailers
who do not have the traditional documentation of ownership may
self-certify ownership as a last resort with one of the following
documents: 

	* Copy of Title or Deed;
	* Death Certificate and Will;
	* Affidavit of Heirship; only when consistent with state or tribal
government law;
	* Will or testament naming the applicant as heirship to the property;
	* Bill of Sale or Bond for Title;
	* Tax payment in the deceased owner’s name; or
	* Court appointment of an administrator to the estate.

Homeowners with the same address from a previous disaster only need
verify ownership once. FEMA has also expanded the date of eligible
documents from three months to one year before the disaster.

OCCUPANCY

Homeowners and renters must document that they occupied the dwelling
at the time of the disaster.

Applicants may provide official occupancy documentation, such as:

	* Utility bills;
	* Bank or credit card statements;
	* Phone bills;
	* Employer’s statement;
	* Written lease agreement;
	* Rent receipts; or
	* Public official’s statement.

FEMA will also now accept:

	* Motor vehicle registration;
	* Letters from local schools (public or private), federal or state
benefit providers, or social service organizations;
	* Court documents;
	* A signed statement from a commercial or mobile-home park owner; or
	* Self-certification for a mobile home or travel trailer.

If survivors have successfully verified occupancy to FEMA from a
previous disaster within a two-year period, they do not need to do it
again.

For the latest information on Vermont’s response and recovery,
visit fema.gov/disaster/4720 [https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4720].
Follow the FEMA Region 1 account on Twitter
at twitter.com/FEMARegion1 [http://www.twitter.com/FEMARegion1] or
the FEMA Facebook at facebook.com/FEMA
[https://www.facebook.com/FEMA]. Follow the Vermont Emergency
Management Agency at twitter.com/vemvt
[http://www.twitter.com/vemvt] on Twitter and on Facebook
at facebook.com/VermontEmergencyManagement
[https://m.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.