As eligible Oklahoma homeowners and renters begin receiving disaster funds from FEMA for rental assistance, home repairs or other categories of assistance, it is important to keep track of your spending. Use the money for the specified reason stated in the FEMA letter.
Disaster survivors in Cleveland, Creek, Lincoln, Logan, Oklahoma, Pawnee and Payne counties may apply for FEMA assistance if you had damage in the March 14-21 wildfires. You have until Tuesday, July 22, to apply.
If approved, you will receive a letter describing the types of assistance you are eligible to receive. The letter will also explain how much money FEMA is providing for each eligible need. These needs may include:
- Home repairs (e.g., structure, water, septic and sewage systems). Homeowners approved for FEMA’s Home Repair Assistance may receive additional mitigation funding for your owner-occupied primary residence to help you rebuild stronger. This type of funding addresses items like roof repair to withstand higher winds and help prevent water from seeping into the home.
- Displacement assistance for homeowners and renters who can’t return to their home because it was damaged or destroyed by the disaster.
- Rental assistance for a different place to live temporarily.
- Repair or replacement of a damaged primary vehicle.
- Uninsured out-of-pocket medical expenses for an injury caused by the disaster.
- Increased childcare expenses.
- Repair or replacement of specialized occupational tools.
- Essential educational materials (e.g., computers, schoolbooks, supplies).
- Moving and storage expenses related to the wildfires and other disaster-related expenses.
You may spend the money you receive from FEMA only for the specified need. For example, home repair money may be used in ways that help make your home safe, sanitary and functional. Home Repair funding is not for regular living expenses such as utilities, food, medical or dental bills, or any expenses not directly related to home repair. However, those expenses may be paid using other types of FEMA assistance.
Travel, entertainment or any non-disaster-caused expenses are never an appropriate use of FEMA funds.
If grant funding is not used as outlined in your FEMA eligibility letter, you may be asked to repay your grants and could lose your eligibility for further federal assistance. Therefore, you are encouraged to use the funds for their intended purpose, document how the money is spent, and save your receipts for three years.
If you have questions about how your FEMA money should be spent, you may call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Help is available in most languages and specialists are available from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. CT daily.
For the latest information about Oklahoma’s recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4866. Follow FEMA Region 6 on social media at x.com/FEMARegion6 and at facebook.com/FEMARegion6/.