If your property was damaged or destroyed due to a federally-declared disaster you may be able to receive assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Individuals and Household Program (IHP), the Small Business Administration (SBA) or another federal government agency.

FEMA’s Individuals and Household Program (IHP) provides direct services and funds for conditions not covered by your homeowner’s insurance.  While IHP will not financially cover all of your losses, or return your home to its previous condition, it may provide you with money crucially needed to meet daily expenses if you have to relocate or restore essential services to live in your home following the disaster.

IHP funds do not have to be repaid and can be used:

• To rent temporary housing if government shelter or housing is not available;
• To repair home damage not covered by homeowners’ insurance so that the home is safe, sanitary and functional;
• To replace a home (if cost of replacing is within fund limits) if insurance will not pay damages;
• To build a new home in places where no other form of housing assistance is available (if cost of building is within fund limits)
• For other serious needs such as emergency medical, dental, funeral, personal property, transportation, moving and storage expenses authorized by law.

The SBA provides low-interest loans for damage to property owned by homeowners, renters, and homeowners that are not covered by insurance.  SBA loans must be repaid.

To apply for assistance go the FEMA website or call FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362).  The TTY number for speech or hearing-impaired callers is 1-800-462-7585.  You will need to have the following information available to process your request for assistance:

• Your Social Security number
• Insurance information
• Directions to damaged property
• A phone number where you can be contacted
• Description of property damage or losses

After you have completed the online or phone application for assistance you will receive an application number – be sure to write it down – and an inspector with FEMA identification will make an appointment with you within 10 days to visit the property.  You must be at the property for the inspection and have proof of ownership (tax records, mortgage payment book or copy of insurance policy) and proof of occupancy (valid driver’s license, piece of mail with address in last 3 months or utility bills).  If you have lost everything and do not have papers within your possession to prove that you own and occupy your home, you will need to be able to provide FEMA with the name of your landlord or mortgage company and your insurance company (if you hold insurance).

After about 10 days following the inspection, you should receive either a letter from FEMA stating that you have been approved for assistance--with a check or information for wire transfer to your bank account for noted improvements--or a letter indicating that your request for assistance has been denied, along with information on how you can appeal that decision. 

If you receive funds you must use the money for the purposes as outlined by FEMA or you may have to repay the money and not be eligible for future funds.  You must keep receipts or bills for 3 years following the disaster to be able to document how you used funds to meet your disaster-related needs.

There are other sources of potential assistance from:

• Small Business Administration – disaster loans up to $1.5 million to help business owners repair or replace damaged or destroyed business facilities, machinery, inventory or equipment.  It also provides loans and grants for up to $40,000 for personal property repairs and rebuilding.
• U.S. Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Emergency Loan Program – the program provides emergency loans to help producers recover from natural disasters, including property repair and rebuilding.
• USDA Rural Development Agency -- makes loans and grant available to victims whose homes were damaged or destroyed in presidential-declared disaster areas.
• There may also be local sources of emergency assistance – contact your county or local social services agencies (in the blue pages/”Government” section of your phone book).