Available Assistance
Who is eligible for FEMA Disaster Assistance?
Residents of the Regional Education Attendance Areas (REAAs) of Bering Strait, Kashunamiut, Lower Kuskokwim, and Lower Yukon that experienced damage or loss from the Sept. 15 – 20th severe storm, flooding and landslides are eligible to apply for FEMA and State of Alaska Disaster Assistance.
Do I have to submit two separate applications for FEMA and State disaster assistance?
Yes. Failure to apply with both FEMA and the State of Alaska could result in delay or denial of benefits from one or both assistance programs.
Survivors can apply with FEMA at 1-866-342-1699 or online at www.disasterassistance.gov. TTY users calling from an Alaska area code can dial 711 or, if you are calling from an out-of-state area code, dial 800-770-8973 for Alaska relay service.
Survivors can apply for disaster assistance from the State of Alaska by calling 1-844-445-7131 or going online at ready.alaska.gov/IA.
What kind of disaster assistance is available?
Both FEMA and the State of Alaska have Individual Assistance programs which may provide financial assistance for housing repairs and replacement of personal property, which includes damaged furniture and appliances. In Alaska, survivors may receive funding for damaged subsistence items, such as fishing equipment, ATVs, boats, outboard motors and snow mobiles.
What is the difference between FEMA and State Individual Assistance?
State assistance may cover damages FEMA cannot. For example, FEMA may provide funding for the damaged contents of fish camps but cannot provide grants for the damaged or destroyed camp structures. However, the State may provide grants to repair or replace fish camp structures.
Is there assistance to transport repair materials to the remote villages?
FEMA is including a shipping supplement of $1300 in the housing assistance award to help cover the additional cost of transporting repair materials and supplies for eligible survivors. Applicants should keep track of their shipping receipts. If they incur shipping expenses for repair materials over $1,300, they are encouraged to submit those receipts to FEMA for potential reimbursement.
If you have already applied and received home repair assistance from FEMA that did not include this additional amount, you will get this supplement as a separate payment. Survivors who have questions about their eligibility for the additional shipping cost can call the FEMA hotline.
What if I don’t have damage to my home but did receive damage to my fish camp?
FEMA will not cover fish camp structures but may cover damaged personal property that was stored at the camp. You can provide a list of damaged or destroyed items when your FEMA inspection is completed. However, the State of Alaska’s disaster assistance program may cover fish camp structures.
Is there assistance for immediate needs like food, diapers or fuel?
FEMA has approved Critical Needs Assistance for survivors of the Alaska storm who have immediate or critical needs. Critical Needs Assistance includes a one-time $700 payment per eligible household for lifesaving and life-sustaining items, which can include water, food, first-aid, prescriptions, infant formula, diapers, consumable medical supplies, durable medical equipment, personal hygiene items and fuel for transportation.
The Application Process
What information do I need to provide when applying for FEMA and State disaster assistance?
You will need to provide the location of your damaged property, your Social Security number, pre-disaster income and, if you have insurance, your policy information.
To be eligible for FEMA financial housing assistance, applicants must provide proof of occupancy, such as a lease or rental statement, a bank statement or pay stub, utility bill or an official letter from a Tribal Community leader.
Do I need to include income from Social Security, the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) or other similar income sources?
Yes. You should report any income, whether it be from Social Security or the PFD. Accepting a FEMA grant will not affect your PFD, Social Security benefits, Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or other federal programs.
Will I receive a case number if I need to follow up with questions about my disaster assistance?
When you apply, you will be given an application number, which will help locate your file in the system and can be used to reference when speaking with FEMA case workers. Write this number down so you will have it handy in the future, as you may need to refer to it for follow up.
Do I need to provide receipts for damaged personal property?
No. If available, survivors are encouraged to provide before and after photos to the state. For FEMA applications, survivors can provide a list of damaged or destroyed items at the time their inspection is completed.
What happens if you lose internet connection in the middle of the application?
If you lose connection before submitting your state application, it will automatically get sent to case workers who will follow up with you to complete the application.
If you lose connection before submitting your FEMA application, you should call the Alaska-specific disaster assistance hotline to complete the application. The hotline is staffed by Anchorage-based caseworkers who are ready to help survivors apply and answer any questions they may have.
How can people in communities without internet access the application?
FEMA specialists have visited many affected villages to perform in-person registrations and housing inspections, and will continue to do so, weather permitting. When available, survivors can meet with these specialists to apply or get assistance with the application. If unable to meet with FEMA specialists, applicants may call the Alaska-specific FEMA disaster assistance hotline at 1-866-342-1699.
When applying for State individual assistance survivors can call the hotline at 1-844-445-7131 or apply online by visiting ready.alaska.gov/IA.
What are the hours the phone line is open (State and FEMA)?
FEMA’s Alaska-specific Disaster Assistance hotline is available from: 10 AM to 8 PM AKDT, Monday through Saturday. Dial 711 for TTY users. For TTY users with an out-of-state area code, dial 1-800-770-8973 for Alaska Relay.
State of Alaska Disaster Assistance hotline is available from: 8 AM – 4 PM Monday to Friday, AKDT. However, if you call the state’s hotline outside of operating hours, they will give you a call back next business day.
Can coordinates be used instead of addresses?
The state will accept coordinates, but survivors applying to FEMA that do not have a physical street address are encouraged to call the Alaska FEMA hotline to apply, as they will not be able to apply with coordinates. FEMA hotline case workers will be able to assist applicants without physical or traditional addresses.
How long does it take to process applications?
If you are eligible for FEMA assistance, you will receive a check in the mail or direct deposit as well as a separate letter explaining the assistance within 4 to 6 weeks.