ATLANTA – Monday, Nov. 6 is the deadline for Georgia homeowners and renters who suffered uninsured or underinsured damage to their property from Hurricane Idalia in Berrien, Brooks, Cook, Glynn and Lowndes counties to apply for FEMA assistance.
Applying for help is free
You can apply at a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) where specialists from FEMA’s Individual Assistance (IA) program help applicants in person. Highly trained specialists assist applicants through the recovery process, explaining the types of assistance available from FEMA, such as housing and other needs assistance.
This DRC in Cook County, 206 East Ninth St., Adel, is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 6.
If you are unable to apply in person, visit DisasterAssistance.gov, call 800-621-3362 Monday to Friday 7 a.m. to
10 p.m., or use the FEMA mobile app. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.
This is what you will need when you apply:
- A current phone number where you can be contacted.
- Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying.
- Your Social Security Number.
- A general list of damage and losses.
- Banking information if you choose direct deposit.
- If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name.
If you are unable to locate important documentation, FEMA will help you identify other ways to verify this information.
We encourage you to file insurance claims for damage to your home, personal property and vehicles before you apply for FEMA assistance. FEMA grants do not have to be repaid. FEMA assistance is nontaxable and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid or other federal benefits.
FEMA’s IA program is designed to help with basic, critical needs such as a safe, sanitary, and functional place to live while you look for a long-term or permanent housing solution. It is not designed to make you whole and is not a substitute for insurance coverage. FEMA IA cannot duplicate other sources of assistance.
FEMA provides funds paid directly to eligible individuals and households. Financial Housing Assistance may include rental assistance, lodging expenses reimbursement, home repair assistance, and replacement assistance.
For the latest information on Georgia’s recovery from Hurricane Idalia, visit fema.gov/disaster/4738, follow FEMA on X, formerly known as Twitter, at twitter.com/femaregion4 and at facebook.com/fema.