Registration to End but Right to Appeal FEMA Decision for 60 Days Remains

AURORA, IL – Though registration ends this week—Aug. 8—for federal assistance to recover from severe weather and flooding of April 16-May 5, there is a right to appeal a FEMA decision within 60 days of the determination letter’s date.

One may appeal any decision. If an applicant does not agree with an inspection report, with the amount of assistance, or with a denial letter from FEMA, an appeal can be made for review of the case.

The appeals process begins with a letter from the applicant stating in as much detail as possible why the decision about the amount or type of assistance received may not be correct. Correspondence may include estimates for repair, invoices for repair work that could indicate additional time and expenses for work. The appeal letter may also include information about an insurance settlement. For a case to be reviewed, an appeal letter must be postmarked within 60 days of the decision letter’s date. Remember to date the appeal letter.

Review of one’s case requires:

• You or someone who represents you or your household sign the letter. If the person writing the letter is not a member of your household, there must be a signed statement saying the person may act for you.
• The nine-digit FEMA identification number be included.
• The disaster number be included: DR-4116-IL (shown at the top of the decision letter).

Mail the appeal letter to:

FEMA – Individuals & Households Program

National Processing Service Center

P.O. Box 10055

Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055

Or fax the appeal letter to: (800) 827-8112

Attention: FEMA – Individuals & Households Program

All appeals are reviewed and decisions are usually made within 30 days of receiving the request.

Notification of the response to an appeal comes by mail. For additional information, review “Help After a Disaster,” the guide sent to each applicant after registration. Information is also available at www.fema.gov/help-after-disaster.

FEMA’s helpline continues as a source of information and assistance.

How to reach FEMA:

• Visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov
• Visit m.fema.gov via a web-enabled phone 
• Dial the FEMA Helpline 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
• Call 800-621-3362 for 711 Relay or Video Relay Services
• Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 at the Helpline if in need of assistance in other languages.  

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.

Follow FEMA online at www.twitter.com/femaregion5, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema.  Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only.  

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Media Contact: 571-408-1835