FEMA EXPLAINER
Questions about your FEMA claim? Here’s what you need to know.
Owners and renters whose homes flooded or were otherwise damaged during Hurricane Harvey can apply to FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, for help with essential needs such as temporary housing, medical services and other flood-related expenses. Even those without flood insurance can apply. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about FEMA benefits.
Q: How can homeowners and renters apply for benefits?
A: File a claim online at DisasterAssistance.gov. Or call FEMA at 800-621-3362. You can also visit one of eight Houstonarea Disaster Recovery Center location.
Q: What benefits are available?
A: FEMA provides financial help for a wide range of disaster related expenses, including child care, medical and dental bills and funeral costs. The federal agency will also help replace essential household appliances, clothing, tools required for work and educational supplies such as computers and school books. Other expenses that FEMA may help cover include the costs of cleaning equipment, such as wet/dry vacuums and dehumidifiers, and moving and storage, as well as damage to motor vehicles.
A FEMA representative will inspect your home and determine what assistance the agency will provide.
Q: I got a check from FEMA for temporary lodging. Can I use the money for something else?
A: No. It must be used as stated in the FEMA award letter. Failure to use the money as directed could disqualify you from other help.
Q: Who qualifies for assistance with hotel rooms?
A: If your house or apartment is uninhabitable, FEMA will help pay for a hotel room unless your insurance covers alternative living expenses. If you can find a room at a hotel that is participating in FEMA’s transitional housing program, the charges should be billed directly to the federal government. All you have to do is give the front desk your FEMA registration number. A list of participating hotels is available at femaevachotels. com.
Q: What if I can’t find temporary housing?
A: Call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 for help in finding rental resources.
Q: Do I have to pay taxes on money I receive from FEMA?
A: No. It is tax-free.
Q: What if my request is denied? Or it isn’t enough? Can I ask for more?
A: File an appeal within 60 days and provide information to bolster your claim, including contractor estimates and copies of expense receipts. Homeowners and renters can ask for a review of denied claims, request more money or ask for benefits that weren’t provided initially.
Temporary housing help is initially provided for up to three months. To request additional housing assistance, homeowners and renters must prove they spent the previous funds on housing and show what they’re doing to get permanently settled.
For help in filing an appeal, homeowners and renters can call a FEMA agent at 1-800-6213362 (FEMA). They can also request a copy of their file from FEMA. Mail appeal letters to: FEMA — Individuals & Households Program
National Processing Service Center P.O. Box 10055 Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055
Q: What if you have insurance? What benefits are available?
A: FEMA does not provide money for losses not covered by flood insurance.
But homeowners and renters can still obtain financial help if their insurance settlements are not enough to meet their disaster-related costs. To request funds, write to FEMA explaining the unmet needs not covered by insurance company settlements.
Q: Do I really need to buy flood insurance if FEMA will help recover some of my losses?
A: The aid FEMA provides is meant to help homeowners and renters restore their damaged property to a safe, sanitary and usable condition. It is not a substitute for insurance and is not designed to restore property to its pre-disaster condition.
FEMA’s housing assistance is available to anyone suffering damages in counties declared disasters areas regardless of income. Other aid, such as to cover losses for personal property, vehicle repair and moving and storage expenses, has income requirements.
Q: Are there other sources of financial aid available?
A: FEMA assistance is limited to helping households with essential needs. Most disaster assistance from the federal government comes through loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. The low-interest loans can be used by homeowners and renters to repair or replace real estate and personal property damaged in the disasters.