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FEMA provides funding to individuals and households following a major disaster in the form of housing assistance and funding for other disaster-caused expenses. Receiving these funds can help you recover following a disaster. However, it is important to understand how the program works.

First, review eligibility requirements.

• To be eligible for funds, all of the following must apply to you:
  • You or a member of your household must be a United States citizen, a non‐citizen national, or a qualified alien
  • Your home is inaccessible or not livable due to a federally-declared disaster (also called a Presidentially-declared disaster)
  • The damaged home is your primary residence (meaning you live there most of the year)
  • You have necessary expenses or serious needs as a result of the disaster that are not covered by insurance or any other source.
• If you have questions, you can contact your local FEMA office. Additionally, FEMA encourages homeowners to apply for assistance even if they are unsure whether they qualify. See this FEMA news release about common misconceptions that prevent individuals from applying for assistance.

Second, apply for assistance:

• To apply for individual assistance, visit the FEMA website.
• You will need to have several forms of documentation, including:
  • Social Security Number
  • Insurance information
  • Proof of occupancy 
  • Financial information
  • Contact information
  • Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) Direct Deposit Information (optional)
• If you have questions, you can also contact your local FEMA office.

Third, know what to expect.

• It is difficult to predict what will be approved for assistance, so do not make plans until you have received approval.
• If you are approved for assistance, you may get a large sum of money directly from FEMA. You will get a letter explaining how you can use this money; however, that letter may arrive several days after you receive the money. Do not spend any money until you have received and read this letter.
• It is critical that you not spend this money on any unapproved items, even if you feel you need to use it to make ends meet. The money you receive is only intended for specific, approved expenses directly related to disaster recovery.
• You must keep receipts and be able to prove that you used all money from FEMA for approved items.
• Homeowners may expect that disaster assistance will make them whole on their losses or improve their pre-disaster conditions. Be clear that any disaster assistance they receive is intended to help them have a safe place to live.