UNDERSTAND YOUR APPEAL OPTIONS IF YOU DON’T AGREE WITH A FEMA
DECISION
[https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20221118/understand-your-appeal-options-if-you-dont-agree-fema-decision]


Release Date: 
November 18, 2022 

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO — If you applied for assistance and
don’t agree with FEMA’s decision or have new information relevant
to your application, you can generally appeal.

FEMA sends letters of determination to applicants who provide
incomplete information. Maybe you didn’t show proof of identity,
verification of homeownership, or documentation that you lived in your
home before Hurricane Fiona. By submitting this information, FEMA can
reconsider your case.

While most FEMA decisions may be appealed, applicants cannot appeal
FEMA’s Critical Needs Assistance grant of $700 or its Clean and
Sanitize Assistance grant of $300. These grants are one-time payments
for survivors who meet eligibility requirements.

INCLUDE EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT YOUR APPEAL

To appeal a decision, you must understand why FEMA considered the
application ineligible or is holding off on a decision. Carefully read
your FEMA letter, because it specifies why you are ineligible and
recommends actions that may change the decision. Often, the reason is
simply a missing document or information. For example, FEMA cannot
duplicate benefits from other sources, including insurance. However,
if your policy doesn’t cover all your essential needs, or your
company denied your claim, you may submit your insurance settlement or
denial letter for FEMA to review. 

YOU HAVE 60 DAYS TO SEND FEMA YOUR APPEAL

One of the most important parts of the appeal process is sending it in
on time. You have 60 days from the date on your FEMA determination
letter to send in your appeal. Keep in mind that after FEMA receives
your appeal, you may receive a phone call or a follow-up letter asking
for more information.

In your letter to FEMA, explain the decision you're appealing and the
supporting information you've included to support your claim. Sign and
date the letter. Don't forget to include your nine-digit FEMA
application number, the disaster number for Hurricane Fiona
(DR-4671-PR) and any additional documentation to support your appeal.

You can get help writing your appeal letter, as well as address other
disaster-related legal concerns through free legal disaster-related
assistance provided by Disaster Legal Services (DLS). For information
about DLS, call the toll-free legal aid hotline Monday – Friday: 8
a.m. – 6 p.m. at 1-800-981-5342 or by email at
info@ayudalegalpr.org. This service is provided by the Young Lawyers
Division of the American Bar Association and Servicios Legales de
Puerto Rico in collaboration with FEMA.

You can send your appeal by any of these ways:

 	*
MAIL: FEMA National Processing Service Center, P.O. Box 10055,
Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055 

 	*
FAX: 1-800-827-8112, Attention: FEMA

 	*
ONLINE: upload the documents to your FEMA online account. To set up an
account or to upload documents, go to www.DisasterAssistance.gov
[http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov], click on “Check Your
Application and Log In” and follow the directions.

 	*
VISIT: Go to any open Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) to submit your
documents in person. Find your nearest DRC by visiting the DRC locator
[http://www.fema.gov/drc].