FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program (IHP) provides financial and direct services to eligible individuals and households affected by a disaster, who have uninsured or under-insured necessary expenses and serious needs. IHP assistance is not a substitute for insurance and cannot compensate for all losses caused by a disaster. The assistance is intended to meet your basic needs and supplement disaster recovery efforts.
FEMA is committed to providing equal access to disaster recovery resources and assistance. Let FEMA know if you or anyone in your household has a disability or language need.
IHP Assistance may include:
- Funds for temporary housing while you are unable to live in your home, such as rental assistance or reimbursement for hotel costs
- A temporary housing unit, if approved for the disaster, when you are not able to use rental assistance due to a lack of available housing resources
- Funds to support the repair or replacement of owner-occupied homes that serve as the household’s primary residence, including privately-owned access routes, such as driveways, roads, or bridges
- Funds for hazard mitigation assistance to help eligible homeowners repair or rebuild stronger, more durable homes
- Funds for other uninsured or under-insured disaster-caused expenses and serious needs
The Privacy Act requires FEMA to obtain written consent from the applicant in order to share their disaster assistance records with a third party. Applicants who wish to authorize FEMA to share their information with a third party must complete the FEMA FORM FF-104-FY-21-118: Authorization for the Release of Information Under the Privacy Act and return it to FEMA.
Learn About FEMA Housing Assistance
- Learn more about FEMA Sheltering and Housing Assistance you may be eligible to receive.
- Understand the general eligibility criteria that need to be met to receive assistance.
- Learn about citizenship and immigration status requirements for federal public benefits.
- Review what FEMA assistance covers for households and other needs.
- Learn how to apply for assistance online, by phone or in person.
Applicants in need of Continued Temporary Housing Assistance may request additional assistance by completing FEMA Form FF-104-FY-21-115: Application for Continued Temporary Housing Assistance and return it to FEMA along with supporting documentation.
Other Assistance Programs
In addition to housing, FEMA has other Individual Assistance programs designed to support disaster survivors, such as Disaster Unemployment Assistance, Crisis Counseling, Disaster Legal Services and more.
Apply For Assistance
Below are the actions you should take to start your recovery process:
- Take photos of your damaged home and belongings for your own records.
- Make a list of damaged/lost items which may be helpful when working with your insurance or discussing your losses with a FEMA inspector.
- Save yourself time. If you have insurance that covers the damage that occurred, you must file a claim with your insurance company and you will be required to provide FEMA your insurance settlement or denial before being considered for most FEMA assistance. You do not have to file you claim prior to applying for assistance.
Internet or Smartphone Application
You may apply for the Individuals and Households Program or check your application status at DisasterAssistance.gov. You may also access FEMA via a smartphone by downloading the application from our website or through your mobile provider’s application store.
By Phone
You may call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362 to apply for assistance or check your application status.
If you use video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service.
In Person
You may visit a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). To look up DRC locations:
- Visit DisasterAssistance.gov
- Check FEMA’s mobile app
- Or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362
Disaster Survivor Assistance team members may also visit door-to-door in your area. They will have official FEMA photo identification.
By Mail or Fax
You may mail updates to your application by mail or by fax.
Mail To:
FEMA
P.O. Box 10055
Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055
Fax To:
Attn: FEMA
800-827-8112
Documents You Need to Provide to FEMA
- Insurance determination letter. (Note: FEMA cannot provide assistance for losses that are covered by insurance.)
- Proof of occupancy or ownership
- Proof of ID