HOW TO DOCUMENT HOME OWNERSHIP AND OCCUPANCY FOR FEMA
[https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/how-document-home-ownership-and-occupancy-fema-5]


Release Date: 
Jul 29, 2024 

As part of the disaster assistance process, FEMA must
determine ownership and occupancy
[https://www.fema.gov/assistance/individual/after-applying/verifying-home-ownership-occupancy#:~:text=To%20be%20eligible%20for%20certain%20types%20of%20assistance,before%20providing%20home%20repair%20or%20home%20replacement%20assistance.]
of damaged primary residences. There are several ways Texans who were
affected by Hurricane Beryl can provide this information.

Ownership

Homeowners may provide official documentation such as:

	* The original deed or deed of trust to the property
	* A mortgage statement or escrow analysis
	* Property tax receipt or property tax bill
	* Manufactured home certificate or title
	* Property insurance documentation

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

Texans with mobile homes or travel trailers who do not have the
traditional documentation of ownership may self-certify ownership as a
last resort.

Homeowners with the same address from a previous disaster only need to
verify ownership one time. 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
documentation, such as:

	* Utility bills, bank or credit card statements, phone bills, etc.
	* Employer’s statement
	* Written lease agreement
	* Rent receipts
	* Public official’s statement

FEMA will also accept motor vehicle registration, letters from local
schools (public or private), federal or state benefit providers,
social service organizations or court documents.

Applicants can also use a signed statement from a commercial or mobile
home park owner, or self- certification for a mobile home or travel
trailer as a last resort.

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