FEMA RENTAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE TO HOMEOWNERS AND RENTERS
[https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/fema-rental-assistance-available-homeowners-and-renters]


Release Date: 
Oct 29, 2024 

FEMA Rental Assistance is available to eligible Tennessee renters and
homeowners who cannot live in their homes because of damage caused by
Tropical Storm Helene. If you continue to need Rental Assistance
beyond the amount in your initial award, you may request _Continued
Temporary Housing Assistance_.

WHAT IS RENTAL ASSISTANCE?

FEMA Rental Assistance is a temporary grant for survivors to pay for
somewhere to live while they repair or rebuild their home. You can use
this money to rent a place to live such as a house, apartment, hotel
room, recreational vehicle or other options while your home is
repaired, or while you look for a new place to live.

WHAT DOES RENTAL ASSISTANCE COVER?

	* Rental Assistance covers temporary housing while you are unable to
live in your permanent residence.
	* Rental Assistance can be used for rent, security deposits and the
cost of essential utilities (gas, water and electric).
	* Rental Assistance can be used for short-term hotel stays while you
look for a place to rent.
	* Rental Assistance does not cover cable or internet service.

HOW LONG DOES RENTAL ASSISTANCE SUPPORT ME?

The initial Rental Assistance grant is decided on a case-by-case basis
and covers one to two months.

If you receive initial Rental Assistance, you will be sent an
application for _Continued Temporary Housing Assistance_, which may be
granted for three-month periods.

WHAT IF I HAVE INSURANCE?

File a claim as soon as possible. Your insurance may have benefits for
temporary housing. Your insurance company will give you a claim
settlement, proof of exhaustion or denial document that includes
_Additional Living Expenses_. You’ll need to provide this
documentation from the insurance company to FEMA to determine your
eligibility for Rental Assistance.

HOW TO SUBMIT INSURANCE DOCUMENTS:

	* Bring them to a Disaster Recovery Center. For locations and hours,
go to fema.gov/drc [http://www.fema.gov/drc].
	* Upload to your account on DisasterAssistance.gov
[https://www.disasterassistance.gov/].
	* Mail with a cover letter listing the documents enclosed. Send to:
FEMA, P.O. BOX 10055, HYATTSVILLE MD 20782-7055.
	* Fax “Attention: FEMA” to 800-827-8112, with a cover letter
listing the documents enclosed.

HOW TO APPLY

RENTAL ASSISTANCE

To receive Rental Assistance, apply for FEMA assistance. The deadline
to apply is MONDAY, DEC. 2.

Apply at DisasterAssistance.gov
[https://www.disasterassistance.gov/], use the FEMA App
[https://www.fema.gov/about/news-multimedia/mobile-products] or call
the FEMA HELPLINE AT 800-621-3362. If you use a relay service such as
Video Relay Service, captioned telephone or other service, you can
give FEMA your number for the service. You may also visit a Disaster
Recovery Center.

To watch an accessible video on how to apply, visit FEMA Accessible:
Registering for Individual Assistance (youtube.com)
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhtlyTX49RE].

CONTINUED TEMPORARY HOUSING ASSISTANCE

To apply for _Continued Temporary Housing Assistance_, use the
application that you received with your initial Rental Assistance
award, or call the FEMA HELPLINE AT 800-621-3362. You will need to
submit additional documentation, which will be listed on your
application.