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FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program (IHP) provides financial and direct services to eligible individuals and households affected by a disaster, who have uninsured or under-insured necessary expenses and serious needs. IHP assistance is not a substitute for insurance and cannot compensate for all losses caused by a disaster. The assistance is intended to meet your basic needs and supplement disaster recovery efforts.
IHP Assistance may include:
- Funds for temporary housing while you are unable to live in your home, such as rental assistance, or reimbursement for hotel costs
- A temporary housing unit, if approved for the disaster, when you are not able to use rental assistance due to a lack of available housing resources
- Funds to support the repair or replacement of owner-occupied homes that serve as the household’s primary residence, including privately-owned access routes, such as driveways, roads, or bridges
- Funds for other uninsured or under-insured disaster-caused expenses and serious needs, such as repair or replacement of personal property and vehicles, or funds for moving and storage, medical, dental, child care, funeral, and other miscellaneous items approved by your state, territory, or tribal government
- Funds for hazard mitigation assistance to help eligible homeowners repair or rebuild stronger, more durable homes.
The Privacy Act requires FEMA to obtain written consent from the applicant in order to share their disaster assistance records with a third party. Applicants who wish to authorize FEMA to share their information with a third party must complete the FEMA FORM FF-104-FY-21-118: Authorization for the Release of Information Under the Privacy Act and return it to FEMA.
Applicants in need of Continued Temporary Housing Assistance may request additional assistance by completing FEMA Form FF-104-FY-21-115: Application for Continued Temporary Housing Assistance and return it to FEMA along with supporting documentation.
Learn About FEMA Housing Assistance
Find out if you're eligible to receive FEMA Sheltering and Housing Assistance.
Understand the general eligibility criteria that need to be met to receive assistance.
Learn about citizenship and immigration status requirements for federal public benefits.
Review what FEMA assistance covers for households and other needs.
Learn how to apply for assistance online, by phone or in person.
Other Assistance Programs
In addition to housing, FEMA has other Individual Assistance programs designed to support disaster survivors, such as Disaster Unemployment Assistance, Crisis Counseling, Disaster Legal Services and more.
Apply For Assistance
Before you apply for assistance, below are the steps you need to take to start your recovery process:
Step One: Take photos of your damaged home and belongings.
Step Two: Make a list of damaged/lost items.
Step Three: Save yourself time. If you have insurance, you must file a claim with your insurance company. If you do not have insurance, continue to Step Four.
Step Four: Now that you're ready to apply now for disaster assistance or you would like more information on the types of assistance available, please utilize one of the following methods.
Internet or Smartphone Application
You may apply for the Individuals and Households Program or check your application status at DisasterAssistance.gov. You may also access FEMA via a smartphone by downloading the application from our website or through your mobile provider’s application store.
By Phone
You may call FEMA toll-free at 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362) to apply for assistance or check your application status.
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability and use a Text Telephone (TTY), you may call 800-462-7585.
If you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), please use the standard toll-free FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362).
In Person
You may visit a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). To look up DRC locations:
- Visit DisasterAssistance.gov
- Check FEMA’s mobile app
- Or call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362)
Disaster Survivor Assistance team members may also visit door-to-door in your area. They will have official FEMA photo identification.
By Mail or Fax
You may mail updates to your application by mail or by fax.
Mail To:
FEMA
P.O. Box 10055
Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055
Fax To:
Attn: FEMA
800-827-8112
Documents You Need To Provide to FEMA
- Insurance determination letter. (Note: FEMA cannot provide assistance for losses that are covered by insurance.)
- Proof of occupancy or ownership
- Proof of ID