Q: How does my citizenship status affect my eligibility for disaster assistance?
A: FEMA and the state, territory, or tribal government may provide direct and financial disaster assistance to U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals and qualified non-citizens. If an applicant does not meet the citizenship or immigration status at the time of application, the household may still apply for certain forms of federal assistance if the parent or legal guardian of a minor child who is a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified non-citizen applies for assistance on behalf of the minor child, so long as they live in the same household. The parent or legal guardian must apply as the co-applicant, and the minor child must be under age 18 at the time the disaster occurred.
Even if you or your family do not qualify for financial disaster assistance, please call FEMA at 800-621-3362 for information and referral to other programs that can assist you regardless of your immigration status.
Q: What kind of assistance is available no matter my citizenship status?
A: Available programs vary per disaster. Regardless of citizenship and immigration status, all individuals affected by a major disaster may be eligible for crisis counseling assistance, disaster legal services, disaster case management, disaster supplemental nutrition assistance program and other non-monetary, in-kind emergency disaster-relief programs. These include medical care, shelter, food and water.
Q: Do I need a Social Security number to apply for FEMA assistance?
A: Yes, you, another adult, or a minor child member in your household must have a Social Security number. If you don't have a Social Security number, go to the Social Security Number and Card page to get instructions on what to do and what documents you will need.
Q: What types of non-citizen nationals can receive federal disaster assistance?
A: A qualified non-citizen national includes:
- Legal Permanent Residents (“Green Card” holders).
- Non-citizens granted asylum.
- Refugees.
- Non-citizens whose deportation status is being withheld for at least one year.
- Non-citizens paroled into the U.S. for at least one year for urgent humanitarian purposes or significant public benefit.
- Cuban/Haitian entrants.
- Certain battered non-citizens or their spouses or children.
- Certain victims of a severe form of human trafficking, including persons with a “T” or “U” visa.
If you’re unsure of your immigration status, talk to an immigration expert to learn if your status falls within the immigration status requirements for FEMA disaster assistance.
Assistance for eligible individuals and small businesses includes funds for temporary housing and necessary home repairs, individual and household grants, disaster unemployment assistance, low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration and other programs.
For those impacted by the May 21-27 severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, landslides and mudslides in Kentucky, the deadline to apply for FEMA assistance is Sept. 23.
For the latest information on Kentucky’s recovery from the May 21-27 severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, landslides and mudslides, as well as news releases, fact sheets and other helpful documents in multiple languages, please visit fema.gov/disaster/4804. Follow FEMA at x.com/femaregion4and facebook.com/fema.