The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides financial and direct assistance to individuals and households affected by declared disasters. The help FEMA offers is intended to cover basic needs and jumpstart recovery, but it is not a substitute for insurance or long-term rebuilding funds.

Bright Harbor Tip:

Many FEMA assistance applications are initially denied. Don’t hesitate to appeal if you believe you are eligible for assistance.

What to do

• Determine if you meet the eligibility requirements to apply for FEMA assistance.

• Apply for FEMA assistance before the application deadline (typically, 60 days from the disaster declaration).

• Fill out the FEMA assistance application form, which takes approximately 15 minutes.

• Be aware that FEMA may send an inspector to your home to assess the extent of the damage.

• If denied, submit an appeal within 60 days with supporting documentation.

Who Can Apply for FEMA Assistance?

To be eligible for FEMA Individual Assistance, you must:

• Live in a federally declared disaster area, or be directly affected by the disaster.

• Be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien.

• Have necessary expenses or serious needs resulting from the disaster.

  • If applying for home repair or personal property assistance, the damaged home must be your primary residence.

• Not have sufficient insurance coverage for the full extent of the damage.

FEMA Deadlines and Limits

• Application Deadline: Survivors typically have 60 days from the disaster declaration date to apply for FEMA assistance.

  • Deadlines are set per disaster and may be extended in special cases. To check specific deadlines, visit www.disasterassistance.gov or call FEMA’s helpline at 1-800-621-3362.

  • Late applications may be submitted with reasonable justification for the delay.

• Appeal Deadline: If denied assistance, applicants have 60 days to submit an appeal with supporting documentation.

  • Sometimes your insurance settlement, contractor’s estimate, or other requested documentation will take longer than 60 days to produce. This is common and is understood by FEMA. You may include a letter explaining the delay if necessary.

• Disaster-Specific Factors: Assistance programs and eligibility requirements may vary by disaster, including special provisions for temporary housing, relocation assistance, and additional federal or state resources.

The FEMA Application Process

1. Apply for Assistance:

   • Online at www.disasterassistance.gov

   • Download the FEMA app on your smartphone or tablet

   • By calling FEMA’s helpline at 1-800-621-3362

   • In person at a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) (Find a DRC near you at https://egateway.fema.gov/ESF6/DRCLocator) 

2. Receive an Application Number: Keep this number for tracking your application status. Do not share this number with anyone else. Treat it like your SSN. 

3. Home Inspection: If your home or personal property is damaged, FEMA will  assess the extent of the damage, either through an in-person or virtual inspection

4. Decision on Assistance: You will receive a letter, email, or notification in your online account stating whether you were approved, not approved, or denied assistance.

Filling out the FEMA Application

Filling out the application should take approximately 15-20 minutes, depending on the complexity of the information and the availability of documents. 

You’ll need the following information and details in order to complete the FEMA application:

• Social Security Number (SSN) for the applicant and household members who have one

• Annual household income information (used for SBA loan purposes, does not affect your FEMA eligibility)

• Contact information (phone number, mailing address, email)

• Insurance information (if applicable)

• Description of disaster-caused damage and losses

• Banking information for direct deposit (bank name, type of account, routing number, account number)

You may be asked to upload additional supporting documentation, such as:

• Evidence of damage (photos)

• Insurance claims

• Specific documentation related to insurance claims

• Proof of ownership, residency, and/or occupancy at the time of the disaster

If you do not have all the required documents, apply and explain the reasoning in the application.

Understanding FEMA's Decision

After processing your application, FEMA will make one of the following decisions:

• Approved: You will receive financial assistance, which will be deposited into your bank account or mailed as a check. FEMA will specify what the funds should be used for.

• Not Approved (Pending Additional Information): This does not mean denial—FEMA may need more documentation (e.g., proof of ownership or residence, insurance claim documentation, etc.).

• Denied: If FEMA determines you are ineligible, you will receive a letter explaining why. Common reasons for denial include:

  • Insufficient damage to qualify

  • Insurance coverage deemed sufficient

  • Lack of necessary documentation

If denied, applicants have 60 days to submit an appeal with supporting documentation.