Frequently Asked Questions About Disasters

FEMA assistance may be able to help pay for repairs that are needed to make your home safe, sanitary and secure to live in after it’s been damaged by a disaster.  These may include:

•  Property: FEMA may assist in the replacement or repairs to disaster-damaged furnaces, hot waters heaters, refrigerators and stoves. Non-essential items like dishwashers and home theatre equipment are not covered.
• Ceiling and roof damage: FEMA may assist to repair disaster-related leaks in a roof that damage ceilings and threaten electrical components, like overhead lights, but not stains from roof leaks.
• Floors: FEMA may assist to repair a disaster-damaged subfloor in occupied parts of the home but not floor covering like tile or carpet.
• Windows: FEMA may assist with disaster-related broken windows but not blinds and drapes.

FEMA does not manage debris cleanup after a storm. We don’t hire the cleanup crews, run the dump sites, or manage the transfer stations. While we do give money to state, local, tribal and/or territorial governments to help pay for debris removal, we don’t make the local rules about how that cleanup happens. Decisions about where dumpsites are, who picks up the trash, or who gets hired to do the work are made locally.   To learn more about local debris removal procedures, please visit your state or local emergency management agency website.  You can also visit www.211.org, which is a general resource that connects people to essential community services such as debris removal assistance. 

If you need a tree removed from your property after a disaster, we recommend that you first assess the danger and document the damage with photos and/or videos.  This could include trees leaning on a house, hanging above power lines, or blocking a road.  Documentation will be important for any claims you might file.

Next, contact your home insurance company. Many policies cover tree-removal if the tree fell due to a disaster and is damaging your home or blocking access.

You may also contact your city, county, or tribal government to inquire about local tree removal programs.  Some local governments have programs to assist with removing hazardous trees.

It’s important to note that FEMA doesn’t directly remove trees from private property.  We provide funding to local governments for debris removal, who then manage the cleanup.

FEMA may provide financial assistance to approved applicants for their uninsured or underinsured necessary expenses and serious needs. FEMA does not cover insurance deductibles as a standalone, disaster-related cost. Applicants should submit any insurance proceeds or denials to FEMA so we can individually evaluate your eligibility if you have remaining unmet needs.

Contact your local county, tribal or municipal government about clearing your road of debris after a disaster.  FEMA does not do direct debris removal, and does not hire, manage or supervise work performed by contractors for debris removal after storms.                          

Some private roads may be eligible after the work is done for reimbursement by FEMA under certain conditions, such as when a private road provides access to essential community services or is necessary for public health and safety.   Commercial property owners are responsible for debris removal from their private property.

To be eligible for Home Repair Assistance, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• You must be a U.S. Citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified non-citizen or be the parent or guardian of a qualified minor that is part of the household.
• FEMA must be able to verify your identity.
• Your insurance, or other forms of disaster assistance received, cannot meet your disaster-caused needs.
• You must also be a homeowner whose primary residence was made unlivable by the disaster.
• Your home must be in the declared disaster area.

Services will vary by shelter. During a disaster or emergency, services at emergency shelters may include:

• A safe place to weather a hazard
• Meals, snacks and water
• Restrooms
• Blankets
• Basic first aid

As disasters progress, additional services may become available such as:

• Sleep accommodations
• Health services (for disaster-related conditions), such as refilling lost prescriptions or replacing lost eyeglasses
• Emotional support and mental health services
• Spiritual care
• Help reconnecting with loved ones
• Information about disaster-related resources in the community. During some emergencies, we may also be able to provide other important services, such as:
  • Childcare
  • Laundry
  • Direct access to services provided by our partners

Your emergency supply kit is essential, even at a shelter. Make sure you bring it with you, so you have access to the supplies you need.   

Choosing to take shelter is necessary in many emergencies. To learn about sheltering options, visit: https://www.ready.gov/shelter 

FEMA may be able to provide assistance with well decontamination. You may contact your local health department or obtain proof of the contamination and submit it to FEMA for consideration of financial assistance.

To be eligible for Home Repair Assistance, FEMA must be able to verify that you owned and lived in your home as your primary residence at the time of the disaster.

FEMA typically verifies homeownership and occupancy through an automated public records search conducted at the time of registration. If FEMA is unable to verify this information via automated records search or other methods, you may be asked to submit documentation to verify your ownership and occupancy status.

By law, FEMA cannot duplicate benefits provided by insurance. If you have applicable insurance, you must submit your insurance settlement or denial to FEMA before being considered for Home Repair Assistance.

The major disaster declaration process begins when a state Governor or Tribal Chief Executive declares a state of emergency and requests federal assistance.  The Governor or Tribal Chief Executive submits a request to the President, who has the authority to declare a major disaster with federal assistance programs for individuals and public infrastructure.

If your county, municipality, or parish is not included in the initial declaration, continue to monitor as it may be added later.

If your location is not currently in a federally declared area, you may still be able to apply online now. The online application system will let you proceed if early registration is open for your state or county. Your application will be processed if your county is added to an active declaration. 

You may also contact your state emergency management office to report your damage.  For emergency needs, you may contact your local American Red Cross chapter.