Must I Be a U.S. Citizen to Get FEMA Help?

Release Date:
March 25, 2021

As Oklahoma survivors recover from February’s severe winter storms, many survivors are wondering if they can qualify for FEMA disaster assistance if they are not United States citizens. Some may make assumptions based on rumors and may avoid seeking federal help, even though it may be available to them.

Noncitizens May Be Eligible

FEMA is committed to helping all eligible disaster survivors recover from the severe winter weather. These include:

  • U.S. citizens.
  • Noncitizen nationals.
  • Qualified non-citizens.

A qualified non-citizen is a lawful permanent resident. It could also be someone with legal status for reasons which may include asylum, refugee, parole, withholding of deportation and Cuban/Haitian entrants.

Adults who do not meet the citizenship or immigration status at the time of application, may still apply for certain forms of assistance, if another adult household member is a citizen or if the household has a minor child who was born in the United States and has a Social Security number.

  • FEMA or the Social Security Administration can help you get Social Security Numbers for Children.
  • A minor child must have lived with the parent or guardian applying on their behalf since Feb.11, 2021, the date of the onset of severe weather. The parent or guardian must register as the co-applicant.
  • Individuals may consult an immigration expert to verify if they meet the immigration status requirements for FEMA disaster assistance

How to Register with FEMA

If you meet these eligibility criteria and live in one of the 16 counties that are eligible for federal assistance, you may complete an application for FEMA Individuals and Households Program assistance.  For a list of designated counties, visit https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4587.

  • Those with cell phones or internet access can register with FEMA by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov, or downloading the FEMA app.
  • You can also register by calling 800-621-3362 (TTY for the hearing-impaired, call 800-462-7585).
    Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption or CapTel should alert FEMA as to the specific number assigned to that service. Multilingual operators are available. Toll-free lines are open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Other Programs and Volunteer Agencies

Other individual assistance programs are available, regardless of citizenship status. Programs like the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Crisis Counseling Assistance at https://www.samhsa.gov/dtac/ccp. Other short-term, noncash emergency help may also be available.

For legal assistance, survivors can visit:

Voluntary organizations offer help regardless of citizenship status. To find voluntary organizations in your county:

For the latest information on the Oklahoma severe winter storms, visit https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4587 or follow the FEMA Region 6 Twitter account at twitter.com/FEMARegion6.

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