After you apply for FEMA disaster assistance, you will receive a letter explaining what money you are approved for. Often, you may need to send more information or supporting documentation for FEMA to continue reviewing your application for financial assistance.
You have 60 days to ask FEMA to reconsider any decision or award amount.
Carefully read FEMA’s letter
If you disagree or have questions about the amount you received or the types of assistance approved, it could be something is missing from the documents you provided. Read FEMA’s letter carefully to help you understand what the agency is requesting from you. Visit FEMA.gov/letter for more information on understanding your FEMA letter.
How do I appeal FEMA’s decision?
You can appeal any FEMA decision or award amount by sending documents that show you qualify for assistance and need more help. You may send estimates for repairs, receipts, bills, etc. Each letter you receive from FEMA explains which documents may help you appeal.
Supporting documents may include:
- Receipts
- Bills
- Repair estimates
- Property titles or deeds
- Any other information that may support your reasons for the appeal
Do I have to send any other documents?
If you choose to provide additional information to explain why you are appealing, send a signed and completed Appeal Request Form, which is included in your letter from FEMA. Appeals must be submitted within 60 days of the date on the letter you get from FEMA.
What should I include on documents I send to FEMA?
All documents you send to FEMA as part of your appeal should include your:
- Full name
- Current phone number and address
- Disaster number, which is DR-4886-NM
- FEMA Application Number, written on every page
- Address of the disaster-damaged home
Receipts, bills and estimates must include the name of the business and contact information to help FEMA confirm the information.
Can someone appeal for me?
If you send a written appeal that is prepared by someone other than you, it must include that person’s signature. FEMA will need your written permission to share information about your application. You can do this by completing an Authorization for the Release of Information Under the Privacy Act form and sending it to FEMA.
How do I send documents to FEMA?
There are several ways to send appeals and supporting documents to FEMA:
- Upload to your disaster assistance account at DisasterAssistance.gov.
- Mail: FEMA, P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055.
- Visit the State Disaster Resource Center to get in-person assistance.
- Location: Eastern New Mexico University – Ruidoso Annex, 709 Mechem Dr., Ruidoso, NM 88345
- Hours: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. daily
I submitted an appeal to FEMA – now what?
Once FEMA receives your appeal, the agency may schedule an inspection of your primary home. You can expect a decision from FEMA within 90 days.
If you have questions about appeals, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 which is open 5 a.m. – 9 p.m. MT daily. Specialists speak many languages; press 2 for Spanish. If you use a relay service, captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.
For the latest information about New Mexico’s recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4886. Follow FEMA Region 6 on Facebook at facebook.com/femaregion6 and on X at x.com/FEMARegion6