ORLANDO, Fla. — If you registered with FEMA following Hurricane Irma and received a determination letter regarding your eligibility for assistance, read the letter carefully. It might not be the final answer.
You may just need to submit extra documents for FEMA to process your application.
Examples of missing documentation may include an insurance settlement letter, proof of residence, proof of ownership of the damaged property, and proof that the damaged property was your primary residence at the time of the disaster.
Every survivor has the right to appeal. By appealing, you are asking FEMA to review your case.
If you have any questions call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 for voice, 711 and Video Relay Service (VRS). If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY, call 800-462- 7585. Lines are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET, seven days a week, until further notice.
There are several reasons why you may be determined to be ineligible.
FEMA’s letter may refer to: | What you can do to appeal if you disagree: |
Ownership not proven | Submit one of the following:
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No contact for an inspection | Call the FEMA Helpline and provide your current phone number and the best time to reach you. |
Failed identity verification | Submit documents to verify your name and Social Security number:
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Linked for duplicate review | Submit documents proving you were not living with or assisted by another person who applied for assistance at your address. |
Ineligible insured | To prove you are uninsured or underinsured for damage, submit one of the following:
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Appeals must be submitted in writing within 60 days of receipt of the letter determining eligibility.
To ensure accuracy and help FEMA process your appeal, you will need to include the following information in your letter:
- Your full name.
- The address of your damaged property.
- Current contact information.
- Disaster number: DR-4337-FL.
- Last four digits of your Social Security number.
- Your birthdate and place of birth.
- Your nine-digit FEMA registration number on each page and on supporting documentation.
- Notarization of your letter including a copy of a state issued identification card, or include the following statement, “I hereby declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.”
- Your signature.
If someone other than you or the co-applicant is writing the letter, you must sign a statement affirming that the person may act on your behalf. You should keep a copy of your appeal for your records.
You may submit missing documentation to FEMA online, by mail or fax, or in person at a disaster recovery center. To find a DRC near you, go to www.fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers or call the FEMA Helpline. DRC information is also available on the FEMA Mobile App.
Mail your appeal letter to:
FEMA – Individuals & Households Program National Processing Service Center
P.O. Box 10055
Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055
Or you may fax it to:800-827-8112
Attention: FEMA – Individuals & Households Program
You will get a written response from FEMA regarding the agency’s decision within 90 days of the receipt of your letter. FEMA’s decision is final and cannot be appealed again.
For more recovery information, visit www.FEMA.gov/IrmaFL, or follow us @FEMARegion4 on Twitter and on FEMA’s Facebook page.
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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
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). For TTY call 800-462-7585.
FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.
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