FEMA
THE GOAL
See if you are eligible for grants from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA).
Grant funds are available for pre- and post- emergency or disaster-related projects. These funds support critical recovery initiatives, innovative research, and many other programs. Grants are the principal funding mechanism FEMA uses to commit and award federal funding to eligible state, local, tribal, territorial, certain private non-profits, individuals, and institutions of higher learning.
THE PROCESS
Take These Steps to Make Sure You Get All Eligible Help:
STEP 1:
File your insurance claims for the damage caused as soon as possible.
STEP 2:
Register with FEMA for assistance. You don’t have to wait for your insurance settlement to apply. You will need to have the following information ready:
Social Security Number
Household Income
Contact Information
Damaged Home Address
Insurance Information
Bank Account Information
Call Toll-free: 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY: 1-800-462-7585) 6 a.m. to midnight CST, 7 days a week, or
Register Online: https://fema.gov/assistance
STEP 3:
Once you have registered with FEMA, you have 12 months to let FEMA know if your insurance coverage was not enough and you want to be considered for help.
To request FEMA assistance, fax or mail FEMA a letter explaining the circumstances to:
FEMA Individuals & Households Program, National Processing Center
P.O. Box 10055
Hyattsville, MD 20702-8055
Fax: 1-800-827-8112
INSURANCE CLAIMS
When you have insurance and ask insurance to pay for a covered loss, that starts the claims process. A lot of times, insurance will pay some money on a claim, but you might get low-balled. If that happens, you will have to fight to try to get more. That is when many people choose to get an attorney.
BE CAREFUL NOT TO DOUBLE DIP AND TRY TO GET TWO FUNDING SOURCES TO COVER THE SAME THING. THERE IS A FEDERAL RULE AGAINST “DUPLICATION OF BENEFITS.”