FEMA Assistance Denial Still Offers Option For Appeal

Trenton, N.J. — Survivors have the right to appeal the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s decision about what assistance they can receive.

You may ask for another review to appeal the amount or type of help provided or any other decision about federal disaster assistance.

Before asking for an appeal, it is important to review the “Help After a Disaster” applicant’s guide. The booklet explains the different types of assistance that may be available to survivors and could answer some questions you have about the appeal process. Each applicant receives a copy and it is available online at www.fema.gov/help-after-disaster.

When appealing, explain in writing why you disagree with a decision. Include any new or additional documents that would support the appeal. Be as specific as possible in the letter. Include materials such as itemized receipts and contractor estimates.

When sending an appeal letter for Hurricane Sandy, remember to include:

• On all pages of all documents:
  • Federal disaster declaration number 4086-DR-NJ.
  • Nine-digit FEMA application number.
• Applicant’s name, place and date of birth, and the address of the damaged dwelling.
• Copies of documentation that supports the appeal. All receipts, bills and estimates must include contact information for the service provider. Keep all originals for your records.
• A copy of a state-issued identification card, unless the letter is notarized or includes the following statement: “I hereby declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.”
• The applicant’s signature.

Appeal letters must be postmarked within 60 days of the date on the decision letter.

Survivors may send the appeal letter to FEMA by:

• Fax:        (800) 827-8112 Attention:FEMA
• Mail:       National Processing Service Center, P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055
• Visiting a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). Find the nearest Disaster Recovery Center here.

If you would like to speak with a specialist who will listen and help you with the appeal process, you can visit a local Disaster Recovery Center or call the FEMA helpline.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

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