MYTHS VS. FACTS REGARDING FEMA DISASTER ASSISTANCE
[https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/myths-vs-facts-regarding-fema-disaster-assistance-0]


Release Date: 
3月 13, 2024 

In the aftermath of a disaster, misconceptions about federal disaster
assistance can often prevent survivors from applying for help. A good
guideline: apply, even if you’re unsure you’ll be eligible. 

MYTH: FEMA is running out of money.

FACT: FEMA has adequate funding to support all our current
operations. As long as you apply by the deadline of April 1, qualified
applicants will receive assistance.

MYTH: My income is too high or too low to qualify for FEMA
assistance.

FACT: FEMA does not consider your income when evaluating your
application for Housing Assistance. However, your household income
helps determine eligibility for the Small Business Administration’s
(SBA) long-term, low-interest disaster loans.

MYTH: I’m a renter. I thought FEMA assistance was only for
homeowners. 

FACT: FEMA assistance is not just for homeowners. FEMA may provide
assistance to help renters who lost personal property or were
displaced.

MYTH: FEMA assistance could affect my Social Security benefits,
taxes, food stamps or Medicaid.

FACT: FEMA assistance does not affect benefits from other federal
programs and is not considered taxable income. 

MYTH: If I receive disaster assistance from FEMA, I will have to pay
it back.

FACT: The money FEMA provides to disaster survivors are grants, which
do not have to be repaid.

 

MYTH: I can’t receive assistance if I’ve already cleaned up the
damage.

FACT: You can still apply for FEMA assistance even if you’ve
completed repairs. Submit photos of the damage and receipts for all
repairs with your application.

 

MYTH: If I disagree with a FEMA decision letter, I can only file an
appeal once.

FACT: Every time you receive a determination letter from FEMA, you
have the right to appeal. With each appeal letter, you must include
new documentation to support your claim and submit it within 60 days
of the date on FEMA’s letter.

MYTH: It’s too late to apply with FEMA if I’ve already filed a
claim with my insurance company, OR I must wait for my insurance claim
to process before I apply with FEMA.

FACT: If you have insurance, you can apply before or after you file a
claim, as long you apply by April 1, 2024. Make sure to update your
FEMA application when you receive a settlement or denial from your
insurer, as FEMA needs to know what expenses your insurance will cover
before it can process your application.

MYTH: U.S. Small Business Administration loans are only for
businesses. 

FACT: The SBA is the largest source of federal disaster recovery
funding. SBA offers long-term, low-interest disaster loans to
homeowners, renters, private nonprofit organizations and businesses of
all sizes. SBA disaster loans have very favorable terms with fixed
interest rates and automatic 12-month payment deferment with 0%
interest for the first 12 months. For more information, call SBA’s
Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955, visit sba.gov/disaster
[http://sba.gov/disaster] or email DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov
for more information. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or
have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access
telecommunications relay services. or visit.