FEMA’s Individual Assistance program is designed to help disaster survivors with basic critical needs such as a safe, sanitary, and functional place to live during recovery from a disaster. It is not designed to make survivors whole and is not a substitute for insurance coverage. FEMA Individual Assistance cannot duplicate other sources of assistance.
Who is eligible to apply?
Alabama homeowners and renters in Autauga, Coosa, Dallas, Elmore, Greene, Hale, Sumter, and Tallapoosa counties who were affected by the severe storms and tornadoes that occurred Jan. 12, 2023, may be eligible for FEMA assistance.
- What kind of assistance can FEMA provide?
- Lodging expenses such as reimbursement for hotel expenses for applicants whose homes were unlivable after the disaster. Keep copies of receipts.
- Home Repair/Replacement assistance for disaster losses not already covered by another source.
- Rental assistance for alternative housing if the home was made unlivable by the disaster.
- Personal property assistance to repair or replace essential, uninsured personal property damaged by the disaster.
- Transportation assistance for primary vehicles damaged by the disaster.
- Medical and dental assistance for uninsured and out of pocket expenses for medical and dental needs or losses caused by the disaster.
- Funeral assistance related to a death attributed directly or indirectly to the disaster.
- Reimbursements of childcare, moving and storage, and other critical expenses.
Why did FEMA say I was ineligible?
You may need to submit additional information or supporting documentation for FEMA to continue to process an application for financial assistance. Examples of missing documentation may include:
- Proof of insurance coverage
- Settlement of insurance claims or denial letter from insurance provider
- Proof of identity
- Proof of occupancy
- Proof of ownership
- Proof that the damaged property was the applicant’s primary residence at the time of the disaster
What does a FEMA inspector look for?
A FEMA inspection may be required to determine whether a home is safe, sanitary, accessible, and functional. FEMA considers the following factors in the home inspection:
- Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system (HVAC) or other heating and cooling sources.
- Access and egress, including privately-owned roads, privately-owned bridges, and privately-owned docks.
- Blocking, leveling, and anchoring of a mobile home, and reconnecting or resetting its sewer, water, electrical, oil, and fuel lines and tanks.
- The exterior of the home is structurally sound, including the doors, roof, and windows.
- The electricity, gas, heat, plumbing and sewer or septic systems function properly.
- The interior’s habitable areas are structurally sound, including the ceiling and floors.
- The home is capable of functioning for its intended purpose.
- There is safe access to and from the home.
Why did my neighbor get more grant money for repairs than I did?
Each case is unique. There are several factors involved, including insurance status and the extent and type of damage documented.
I can’t rebuild my house with the money FEMA is offering me?
FEMA assistance is not the same as insurance. FEMA assistance only provides funds for basic work to make a home livable, including items such as toilets, roof, critical utilities, windows, and doors.
I am a renter. Do I qualify for FEMA assistance?
Renters whose property was destroyed or damaged by the disaster may be eligible to apply for federal assistance. FEMA grants can help pay for temporary housing. Renters may also qualify for grants to replace or repair necessary personal property, such as furniture, appliances, clothing, textbooks, or school supplies; replacement or repair of tools and other job-related equipment required by the self-employed; primary vehicles; uninsured or out-of-pocket medical, dental, childcare, moving and storage expenses.
Can my household apply if I am not a citizen?
To qualify for FEMA assistance, you or a member of your household must be U.S. citizen, non-U.S. citizen national or qualified alien. However, undocumented families with diverse immigration status only need one family member (including a minor child) who is a United States citizen, non-U.S. citizen national, or a qualified non-U.S. citizen and has a Social Security number to apply. A qualified non-U.S. citizen includes the following:
- Legal permanent resident (“green card” holder)
- An asylee, refugee, or an alien whose deportation is being withheld
- Alien paroled into the U.S. for at least one year
- Alien granted conditional entry (per law in effect prior to April 1, 1980)
- Cuban/Haitian entrant
- Certain non-U.S. citizens subjected to extreme cruelty or who have been a victim of a severe form of human trafficking, including persons with a “T” or “U” visa.
Adults who don’t qualify under one of the categories above, including the undocumented, can apply on behalf of a minor child who does qualify and has a Social Security number. A minor child must live with the parent or guardian applying on their behalf. The parent or guardian will not have to provide any information on their own immigration status or sign any documents regarding their status.
What happens if I disagree with FEMA’s decision?
Every applicant has the right to appeal a FEMA determination. If you feel the amount or type of assistance is incorrect, you may submit an appeal letter and any documents needed to support your claim, such as a contractor’s estimate for home repairs.
FEMA cannot duplicate assistance provided to you by another source, such as insurance settlements or another program. However, if you are underinsured you may receive further assistance for unmet needs after insurance claims have been settled by submitting a copy of the insurance settlement or denial documents to FEMA.
How can I appeal FEMA’s decision?
You must file your appeal in writing to FEMA. In a signed and dated letter, you must explain the reason(s) for your appeal. Your appeal letter should also include:
- Your full name
- Disaster number (DR-4684 for Alabama)
- Address of the pre-disaster primary residence
- Your current phone number and address
- Your FEMA registration number on each page of your documentation
If someone other than you or a co-applicant is writing your letter, that person must sign the appeal letter and you must provide FEMA with a signed statement authorizing the individual to act on your behalf.
Your letter must be postmarked within 60 days of the date on your determination letter. Appeal letters and supporting documents may be submitted to FEMA by fax or mail, or online if you have a FEMA online account. To set up a FEMA online account, visit DisasterAssistance.gov, click on “Apply Online” and follow the directions.
By mail: FEMA National Processing Service Center, P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055
By fax: 800-827-8112, Attention: FEMA
Why did I receive a local application from the U.S. Small Business Administration?
Survivors may also be referred to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for low-interest disaster loans to further assist with your recovery. Those referred to the SBA must complete a loan application to be further considered for some forms of FEMA assistance, such as funds for personal property and transportation losses.
How do I apply for assistance?
Survivors can apply for disaster assistance at disasterassistance.gov, by using the FEMA mobile app, or by calling 800-621-3362. The helpline is open, and help is available from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Central Time in most languages. If you use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.
For an accessible video on how to apply for assistance go to, youtube.com/watch?v= WZGpWI2RCNw.
For information on Alabama’s disaster recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4684. Follow FEMA on Twitter at FEMA Region 4 (@femaregion4) / Twitter and at facebook.com/fema.