If FEMA Turned You Down, You Have a Right to Appeal

If you got a letter, email or text from the Federal Emergency Management Agency declining your application for assistance and you disagree with FEMA’s determination, you have the right to appeal. Often, determinations of ineligibility arise from a lack of sufficient documentation. Your application might need an insurance settlement letter, proof of residence, proof of ownership of the damaged property and proof that the damaged property was your
primary residence at the time of the disaster.

Supporting documents may include, but are not limited to, the following:
▪ Landlord’s statements
▪ Merchandise or provider receipts
▪ Service or repair receipts/statements. Each must include an estimate
breakdown, contact information, measurements, etc.
▪ School/employer statement (for loss of essential tools)

• Insurance: If your coverage is not enough to make essential home repairs, pay for a place to stay or replace personal items, FEMA may reconsider your
application. But you must provide documents from your insurance company that detail any settlement. Remember that FEMA cannot duplicate homeowner or renter insurance benefits.
• Occupancy: If you’re a homeowner or renter, FEMA may reconsider you for grants if you provide documents that prove the damaged structure was your
primary residence. FEMA needs to see your utility bills, driver’s license or a copy of your lease or rental agreement. You cannot receive federal disaster assistance for secondary or vacation homes.
• Ownership: Documents you can submit to prove ownership may include mortgage or insurance documents, tax receipts or a deed. If you feel FEMA’s decision or the amount or type of assistance is incorrect, you may submit an appeal letter and any documents needed to support your claim. All appeals must be filed in writing. You should explain why you think the decision is incorrect. When submitting your letter, please include:

▪ Applicant’s full name
▪ Date and place of birth
▪ Address of the damaged dwelling
▪ Your FEMA registration number on all pages
▪ The FEMA disaster declaration number – DR-4393-NC on all pages
▪The signature of the applicant
▪ The date

Your letter must be either notarized – if you choose this option, please include a copy of a state-issued identification card – or include the following statement: “I hereby declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.” You must sign the letter. If someone other than you is writing the letter, there must be a signed statement from you affirming that the person may act on your behalf. You should keep a copy of the appeal for your records.

To file an appeal, letters must be postmarked, received by fax, or personally submitted at a disaster recovery center within 60 days of the date you received the FEMA determination letter.

By mail:
FEMA – Individuals & Households Program
National Processing Service Center
P.O. Box 10055
Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055

By fax:
800-827-8112
Attention: FEMA – Individuals & Households Program

If you prefer to go through the appeal process electronically, open a Disaster Assistance Center (DAC) account at www.disasterassistance.gov. Once your account is open, you can update your current contact information, upload your appeal documents, and review letters from FEMA. When you upload the required documents to your DAC account, an appeal packet is automatically created which can then be submitted for review.

If you have questions, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Those who use 711 or Video Relay Services may call 800-621-3362. Those who use TTY may call 800-462-7585. Operators are available from 7 am to 10 pm local time seven days a week.

The California Wildfires were declared Major Disasters by FEMA on November 12, 2018. If you were impacted by the wildfires, you can register for FEMA assistance by visiting https://www.disasterassistance.gov/ or call (800) 621-3362. The number for speech and hearing impaired individuals is (800) 462-7585.

When you apply for the FEMA Aid, please have the following information ready:

• Social Security number
• Address of the damaged home or apartment
• Description of the damage
• Information about insurance coverage
• Telephone number
• Mailing address
• Bank account & routing numbers for direct deposit of funds

Please see image below for general instructions and items needed:

A FEMA home inspection is a part of the process for verifying damage and loss and helps determine the assistance options available for survivors. Click here for the FEMA’s Fact Sheet on Housing Inspections with information/requirements. 

Wildfire survivors who applied for disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and received a letter or text message saying they are ineligible for disaster assistance, should know this first communication may not be the last word.

Very often ineligibility can be resolved quickly. In fact, the most common reasons for this determination are:

• The application may be incomplete. More information or documentation is needed;
• The applicant did not sign the required documents;
• The applicant did not prove occupancy or ownership;
• The damage is to a secondary home or a rental property – not a primary residence;
• Someone else in the household has applied for and received assistance;
• A letter of determination, or other information, may be needed from an insurance company, or
• The applicant may have adequate insurance coverage. If a survivor has insurance, FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments. However, under-insured applicants may receive further assistance for unmet needs after insurance claims have been settled.

Often, the problem of missing information can be fixed online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362 (TTY  800-462-7585). Multi-lingual operators are available. The toll-free numbers are open daily 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (PST). Survivors may check the status of their applications or update their contact information at these same numbers.

Applicants ineligible for FEMA grants may still be eligible for other programs, such as Disaster Unemployment Assistance. Applicants may be referred to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), where low-interest disaster loans are available to businesses of all sizes, private nonprofits, homeowners and renters. SBA disaster loans can help fund repair or replacement costs not covered by insurance or other sources.

Applicants may apply online at SBA.gov/disaster or, for more information, contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955.