Common Disaster-Related Rumors

There often are many rumors and scams after a disaster. Do your part to stop the spread of rumors by doing three easy things: 

  1. Find trusted sources of information. 
  2. Share information from trusted sources. 
  3. Discourage others from sharing information from unverified sources. 
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A flooded street with a house and a rescue boat rescuing 2 people

Hurricane Rumor Response

Keep your community safe by being aware of common rumors about hurricanes Helene and Milton.

Review Rumors

Rumors

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This is not true. Homeowner insurance policies do not normally cover flood damage. Flood insurance is typically a separate policy.

Visit the National Flood Insurance Program page to purchase flood insurance or find out more.

You don't need to own a business to request a disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

SBA provides low-interest disaster loans to qualified homeowners, renters, and businesses of all sizes.

You can use SBA disaster loans for the following:

  • Home repair or replacement
  • Mitigation
  • Personal property
  • Business losses
  • Vehicle repair or replacement
  • Working capital for small business and most private nonprofits

SBA disaster assistance loans must be paid back.

If you still have unmet needs, loans may help with home repair or replacement, personal property, vehicles, mitigation, business losses, and working capital for small business and most private nonprofits.

Learn more about SBA disaster loans. You can also call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 if you have additional questions or need more information.

FEMA Helpline

1-800-621-3362

711 or Video Relay Service also available

  • Press 1 for English
  • Press 2 for Spanish
  • Press 3 for other languages

It depends. When you receive a letter that states your application is “not approved” or “incomplete” you can check your status online or call the FEMA Helpline, 800-621-3362, for more information.

This letter may mean that more information is needed, or that your insurance claim needs to be settled before FEMA disaster assistance can be granted.

This is not true. FEMA assistance is not taxable and will not affect your eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid or other federal benefits.

This is not true. FEMA may provide financial assistance to eligible U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals and qualified aliens.

When available, life sustaining resources such as shelter, food and water, crisis counseling, disaster case management, disaster supplemental nutrition assistance program and disaster legal services are available to disaster survivors regardless of citizenship and immigration status.

To learn more, visit our Citizenship and Immigration Status Requirements for Federal Public Benefits page.

This is not true. In most cases, FEMA grants do not have to be paid back.  If you have insurance that covers your temporary housing costs, but you ask FEMA to advance you some money to help you pay for those costs while your insurance is delayed, you will need to pay that money back to FEMA after you receive your insurance settlement.

FEMA partners with other agencies to help meet the needs of disaster survivors. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers low-interest disaster loans to homeowners and renters in a declared major disaster area.

If you still have unmet needs, loans may help with home repair or replacement, personal property, vehicles, mitigation, business losses, and working capital for small business and most private nonprofits. Learn more about SBA disaster loans. You can also call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 if you have additional questions or need more information.

This is not true. Every applicant has the right to appeal. An appeal is your chance to tell FEMA why you don’t agree with the decision the agency made. You may send new or additional information and ask FEMA to change its decision. You must mail or submit your signed appeal letter within 60 days of receiving your decision letter.

This is not true. FEMA funding is available to assist all eligible survivors who have suffered losses because of disasters.

This is not true. Renters may apply for disaster assistance with FEMA.

FEMA may be able to provide pre-disaster renters with money to help pay for short-term lodging expenses, costs for renting temporary housing, and the costs of replacing or repairing a vehicle and other necessary personal property.  FEMA may also be able to help pay for uninsured medical, dental, childcare, moving and storage expenses.

If Direct Housing Assistance is authorized for the disaster, pre-disaster renters may be eligible for Direct Temporary Housing Assistance if they are unable to use financial assistance to secure temporary housing.

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