GUAYNABO, Puerto Rico – If you received temporary rental assistance from FEMA after Tropical Storm Isaías forced you from your home, you can take two steps, if needed, to continue receiving those benefits.
First, apply for additional benefits. FEMA mails you an “Application for Continued Temporary Housing Assistance” 15 days after you receive the initial rental assistance grant. This is a legal document. You will need to complete the form and provide all the supporting documents. Then sign it and return it to FEMA.
Residents of Aguada, Hormigueros, Mayagüez and Rincón may qualify for this type of assistance. You can receive up to 18 months of continued rental assistance, plus the security deposit, while you seek more permanent housing.
As of Oct. 26, 95 households received FEMA rental assistance, including 23 families who were renting their homes when Isaías struck the western side of the island.
If you did not receive the “Application for Continued Temporary Housing Assistance” or you have questions, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (FEMA) or TTY (800) 462-7585. Operators are available from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
Second, drop off your application at the Mayagüez Disaster Recovery Center drive-thru or mail it to FEMA at: P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055.
If a you created an account at DisasterAssistance.gov, you can upload documents through the Upload Center in your online account.
The completed “Application for Continued Temporary Housing Assistance” will require these supporting documents:
- Pre-disaster and current household income status
- Copies of pre-disaster lease, utility bills, renter’s insurance
- Copy of current lease or rental agreement signed by you and the landlord
- Rental receipts, canceled checks or money orders showing the rental assistance was used to pay for housing expenses.
If you cannot gain entry to your home to find these documents or the originals were destroyed in the storm, call the FEMA Helpline. Duplicates of many types of official documents may be available through your municipal government, utility company or bank.
It is important to keep FEMA updated with your contact information and housing status.
Your rental can be a house, apartment, hotel or recreational vehicle that can keep you near your job, home and place of worship. The assistance covers rent, security deposit and essential utilities such as electricity and water, but not cable or internet.
The approved rental amount will be based on fair market rates for your area as determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
For more information on Puerto Rico’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4560 and Facebook: www.facebook.com/femapuertorico.
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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362) or 711 for Video Relay Service. Multilingual operators are available. (Press 2 for Spanish.) TTY call 800-462-7585.
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