Disaster housing assistance: FEMA, insurance, and SBA loans

The first 48 hours

1. Safety first. Don’t enter a damaged home until officials say it’s safe. Watch for gas leaks, downed lines, and floodwater.
2. Find shelter if needed—call 211 or check your local emergency management office. See emergency shelter.
3. Document damage with photos and video of every room, including water lines on walls, before cleanup.
4. Prevent further damage (tarps, boarding windows, removing water) and keep receipts—insurance usually requires it.
5. Contact your insurer and start a claim.
6. Keep receipts for lodging, food, repairs, and supplies.

Check for a disaster declaration

FEMA Individual Assistance is available only when the President declares a major disaster (or emergency) and designates your county for individual assistance. Check DisasterAssistance.gov or FEMA’s declarations page.

Apply to FEMA

• Online: DisasterAssistance.gov
• App: FEMA App
• Phone: 800-621-3362 (use your relay service if needed)
• In person: Disaster Recovery Centers

The deadline is usually 60 days after the declaration. You’ll need your Social Security number (for a household member), address of damaged home, insurance information, household income, and bank information for direct deposit.

What FEMA may provide (Individuals and Households Program)

The cited FEMA notice sets these financial-assistance limits for declarations on or after October 1, 2025. Limits are adjusted annually; check the applicable notice for your disaster’s declaration date. These are maximums, not a typical or guaranteed award:

Most households receive much less than the maximum. FEMA can’t pay for losses covered by insurance, and it may require you to file an insurance claim first.

The inspection

FEMA may inspect in person or remotely. Be ready with:

• Photo ID
• Proof of occupancy (lease, utility bill, bank statement)
• Proof of ownership for homeowners (deed, tax bill, mortgage statement—FEMA now accepts more types of documentation, including for heirs’ property)
• Insurance documents
• Photos and receipts

SBA disaster loans

The Small Business Administration makes low-interest, long-term loans to homeowners and renters in declared areas:

• Homeowners: up to $500,000 to repair or replace a primary residence
• Homeowners and renters: up to $100,000 for personal property (including vehicles)
• Rates are capped by law (no more than 4% if you can’t get credit elsewhere), with terms up to 30 years
• Funds for mitigation (like elevating utilities) may be added

Insurance

• Homeowners insurance usually covers wind, fire, and many storm losses but not flood or earthquake.
• Flood insurance (NFIP or private) covers flood; NFIP policies generally have a 30-day waiting period after purchase. Increased Cost of Compliance coverage can help pay to meet building codes after major damage.
• Additional living expenses (ALE / loss of use) may pay for temporary housing.
• Document everything, get a copy of your policy, and keep a claim diary. If you disagree with a settlement, ask about appraisal, contact your state insurance department, or consult a public adjuster or attorney. See home insurance basics.

Renters

• FEMA rental assistance and personal property help
• SBA personal property loans
• Renters insurance (if you had it)
• Your lease may end if the unit is uninhabitable; check state law about rent while the unit is unlivable
• Security deposit return rules still apply

Appeals

You can appeal a FEMA decision within 60 days of the date on the letter. Submit missing documents and a short explanation (FEMA offers an optional appeal form). Keep copies and your FEMA registration number.

Long-term recovery

• Disaster case management through local long-term recovery groups
• State and local programs funded by Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) money, often available months later for rebuilding or buyouts
• Legal help: disaster legal services hotlines for insurance disputes, title issues, and landlord-tenant problems
• Mortgage relief: ask your servicer about disaster forbearance. See mortgage payment help

Avoid disaster fraud

• FEMA inspectors never charge fees and will have photo ID.
• Verify contractors’ licenses and insurance; get written estimates and avoid large upfront payments.
• Don’t sign over insurance checks to contractors.
• Report fraud to the FEMA fraud line or your state attorney general.

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