Appealing FEMA’s Decision on Your Application for Assistance

Release Date:
July 31, 2024

If you received a letter from FEMA saying that the information you provided is incomplete, you are ineligible for disaster assistance, or you disagree with the amount of FEMA assistance determined, you have the right to appeal the decision within 60 days of the date on the letter. 

All appeals are reviewed. Decisions may take up to 90 days. Additional information may be requested from you if FEMA does not have enough information to make a determination. You will be notified in writing of the response to your appeal, either by mail or via the DisasterAssistance.gov account you created when you applied with FEMA.

If you have questions regarding your letter or how to file an appeal, you may call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362.

What to Include When You Appeal

Your FEMA letter will provide the following: 

  • Whether you are approved for assistance.
  • How much assistance you will receive.
  • How the assistance must be used.
  • Additional information on the types of documents or information that will need to be provided if you choose to appeal FEMA’s initial decision.
  • How to appeal FEMA’s decision if you do not agree with it.

The letter will apply specifically to the decision made. 

Along with the letter, FEMA will also include an optional appeal form that may be used to help provide additional information, if you choose to provide additional information.

For example, if you are unsatisfied with the initial amount of FEMA assistance and want to appeal for additional assistance to help repair your home, you will want to provide FEMA with any receipts, bills or repair estimates from the disaster.

When submitting any documentation or information to FEMA, you must include your FEMA application number and disaster number on every page. 

If you choose to have a third party submit an appeal on your behalf, include a statement signed by you authorizing the third party to appeal the decision on your behalf unless those documents are already on file.

For more information on the FEMA appeals process, including instructions in American Sign Language, visit FEMA Answers: Questions on the Appeals Process 

How to Submit Your Appeal

Online at DisasterAssistance.gov. Log into your account and upload all supporting documents using the Correspondence "Upload Center". 

For in-person assistance with any step of the appeal process, visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC), where specialists from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration can answer questions, help you submit documents and guide you through the appeals process. 

A Mobile Disaster Recovery Center (through Aug. 3 only) will be located at:

  • Rio Arriba County
    Senior Citizens Center
    214 County Road 142
    Medanales, NM

The DRCs are located at:

Hours at all centers are:
Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. MT
Closed Sundays

You can also send a letter to FEMA: 

Appeals Officer 
National Processing Service Center 
P.O. Box 10055 
Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055

Finally, you can fax your letter and supporting documents to 1-800-827-8112 with a cover sheet addressed to: Attention - FEMA Appeals Officer.

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