FEMA Grants Are Not Taxable!
CLANTON, Ala. – Individuals impacted by the March 25-26 storms and tornadoes receiving Social Security payments or other government assistance have no cause for concern that FEMA disaster assistance might affect their benefits.
If you live in Bibb, Calhoun, Clay, Hale, Jefferson, Perry, Randolph or Shelby county and have registered with FEMA for federal disaster assistance, you are in no danger of losing your other federal benefits to which you are entitled.
FEMA disaster grants are not taxable income. Accepting a FEMA grant will not affect your Social Security benefits, Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or other federal welfare and entitlement programs.
Disaster grants help you pay for temporary housing, essential home repairs, personal property replacement and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by your insurance or other sources.
To register for assistance visit www.disasterassistance.gov or call 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585).
Operators are multilingual and calls are answered from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. central time, daily. Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption or CapTel should update FEMA with their specific number assigned to that service. If you need accommodations for language or disability, let the operator know.
When you apply, you will need your social security number, information on how to contact you, bank account numbers, as well as information about your homeowners’ insurance and flood insurance, if applicable.
The deadline to register with FEMA is June. 25, 2021.
For additional online resources, as well as FEMA downloadable pamphlets and other aids, visit www.disasterassistance.gov and click “Information.”
For referrals to Alabama’s health and human service agencies as well as community organizations, dial 211, text 888-421-1266, or chat with referral specialists via www.211connectsalabama.org.
For more information on Alabama’s disaster recovery, visit ema.alabama.gov, AlabamaEMA Facebook page, www.fema.gov/disaster/4596 and www.facebook.com/fema.
FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.