HOW TO DOCUMENT OWNERSHIP AND OCCUPANCY OF YOUR DAMAGED HOME
[https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/how-document-ownership-and-occupancy-your-damaged-home]


Release Date: 
Aug 28, 2025 

Release Number: 
011 

As part of the disaster assistance process, FEMA must determine
ownership and occupancy of damaged primary residences. After
experiencing losses from the June 23 – Aug. 5 severe storms,
flooding and landslides, New Mexico homeowners and renters need to
prove they occupied their home at the time of the disaster before they
can receive assistance. FEMA accepts a broad range of documentation.

TO PROVE OWNERSHIP:

Homeowners may provide official documentation including: 

	* Original deed or deed of trust to the property
	* Mortgage statement or escrow analysis 
	* Property tax receipt or property tax bill
	* Manufactured home certificate or title
	* In addition, FEMA accepts a public official’s signed statement or
receipts for major repairs or improvements. 
	* A signed statement from a commercial or mobile home park owner or,
as a last resort, a signed self-certification that you own a mobile
home or travel trailer

Individuals with heirship properties (property inherited without a
will) who do not have the traditional documentation of ownership also
may self-certify ownership as a last resort.

TO PROVE OCCUPANCY:

Homeowners and renters must document that they occupied the damaged
dwelling at the time of the disaster. If an applicant has successfully
verified occupancy to FEMA for a previous disaster within a two-year
period, they do not need to do it again.

Acceptable documentation to prove occupancy can include:

	* Utility bills, bank or credit card statements, phone bills, etc.
	* Written lease agreement or rent receipts
	* Employer’s or a public official’s statement
	* Motor vehicle registration or letters from local schools (public or
private), federal or state benefit providers, social service
organizations or court documents
	* Letter prepared after the disaster by a mobile home park or manager
confirming your occupancy at the time of the disaster

HOW TO APPLY FOR FEMA DISASTER ASSISTANCE 

Homeowners and renters in DOÑA ANA COUNTY and LINCOLN COUNTY who had
damage from the severe storms, flooding and landslides that occurred
June 23 – Aug. 5 may apply for federal assistance.

	* The fastest way to apply to FEMA is online at
DisasterAssistance.gov [https://www.disasterassistance.gov/] or the
Spanish language website DisasterAssistance.gov/es
[http://www.disasterassistance.gov/es].
	* For a list of locations to get in-person help, visit FEMA’s DRC
Locator [https://egateway.fema.gov/ESF6/DRCLocator].
	* Call the FEMA HELPLINE at 800-621-3362 between 5 A.M. AND 9 P.M. MT
DAILY. Help is available in most languages. Press 2 for Spanish. If
you use a relay service such as video relay, captioned telephone or
other service, give FEMA your number for that service. 
	* You can also download the FEMA App
[https://www.fema.gov/about/news-multimedia/mobile-products] for
mobile devices.

For the latest information about New Mexico’s recovery, visit
fema.gov/disaster/4886 [https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4886]. Follow
FEMA Region 6 on Facebook at facebook.com/femaregion6
[https://www.facebook.com/femaregion6] and on X at x.com/FEMARegion6
[https://x.com/FEMARegion6]