Understanding Your FEMA Letter and How to Appeal It

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – If you applied for FEMA help in the aftermath of the recent hurricanes and you disagree with the decision stated in the letter you received, a quick fix may be all that is needed to change it.　

It’s important that you read your letter carefully to understand FEMA’s decision so you will know exactly what you need to do. Many times applicants just have to submit extra documents for FEMA to process their application.

Examples of missing documentation may include an insurance settlement letter, proof of residence, proof of ownership of the damaged property, and proof that the damaged property was your primary residence at the time of the disaster.

If instructed and needed, you can simply submit missing documentation to FEMA online at www.disasterassistance.gov, by mail or fax, or by visiting a Disaster Recovery Center.

There may be more than one reason you disagree with FEMA’s decision. For example, if you feel the amount or type of assistance is incorrect, you may submit an appeal letter and any documents needed to support your claim, such as a contractor’s estimate for home repairs.

If you have insurance, FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments. However, if you’re under-insured you may receive further assistance for unmet needs after insurance claims have been settled.

How to Appeal a FEMA Decision

All appeals must be filed in writing to FEMA. You should explain why you think the decision is incorrect. When submitting your letter, please include:

  • Your full name
  • Date and place of birth
  • Address

In addition, your letter must be either notarized, include a copy of a state issued identification card, or include the following statement, “I hereby declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.” You must sign the letter.

If someone other than you or the co-applicant is writing the letter, there must be a signed statement from you affirming that the person may act on your behalf. You should keep a copy of your appeal for your records.

To file an appeal, letters must be postmarked, received by fax, or personally submitted at a Disaster Recovery Center within 60 days of the date on the determination letter.

By mail:

FEMA – Individuals & Households Program
National Processing Service Center
P.O. Box 10055
Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055

By fax:
800-827-8112
Attention: FEMA – Individuals & Households Program

You should have received a booklet called “Help after a Disaster.“ It explains what you need to provide for your appeal. The booklet is available online at www.fema.gov/help-after-disaster.

If you have any questions about submitting insurance documents, proving occupancy or ownership, or anything else about your letter, you may call the FEMA helpline 800-621-3362 (voice/711/VRS-Video Relay Service) (TTY: 800-462-7585). Multilingual operators are available (for Spanish press 2). The toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

For more information on Florida’s disaster recovery visit fema.gov/disaster/4280, fema.gov/disaster/4283, twitter.com/femaregion4, facebook.com/FEMA, and fema.gov/blog, floridadisaster.org or #FLRecovers. For imagery, video, graphics and releases, see fema.gov/Hurricane-Matthew.

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Understanding Your FEMA Letter and How to Appeal It

Federal Disaster Assistance Includes Right of Appeal

WINDSOR, Conn. – Not every Connecticut resident who registered for federal disaster assistance following Hurricane Sandy will qualify for aid. But an appeal process can ensure those affected by the storm will receive all aid to which they are legally eligible.

An applicant has 60 days from the day a determination letter arrives to appeal the FEMA decision.

To file an appeal, write a letter explaining why the decision about the amount or type of assistance received is not correct. The letter should include any documents supporting the applicant’s claim.

The letter should also include:

  • the FEMA Disaster number (DR-4087-CT);
  • the applicant’s FEMA registration number;
  • the last four digits of the applicant’s Social Security number; and
  • the applicant’s name on all pages of the letter.

Additional information is available on Pages 9-11 of the FEMA booklet, “Help after a Disaster: Applicant’s Guide to the Individuals & Households Program.”

The letter must be signed, dated and mailed to:

FEMA

National Processing Service Center
P.O. Box 10055
Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055

Letters may also be faxed to 800-827-8112 with a cover sheet to: Attention – FEMA.

If applicants do not get the assistance they expected, the FEMA appeal process is a way to revisit the survivor’s application and information.

Applicants who do not understand the FEMA determination letter should ask questions via the FEMA helpline, 800-621-3362, or visit a Disaster Recovery Center. For the location of a convenient recovery center, go to: http://go.usa.gov/g2Td.

For a video on filing an appeal: http://go.usa.gov/ggkF

The deadline to register is Dec. 31. Registering for disaster assistance with other agencies or organizations does not register survivors for FEMA disaster assistance. Having FEMA flood insurance does not register policyholders for disaster assistance; flood insurance claims are handled separately.

Register online anytime day or night at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or with a smartphone or other Web-enabled device at m.fema.gov. Register or get questions answered by phone anytime by calling FEMA at 800-621-3362. The TTY number is 800-462-7585. Multilingual operators are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Wait for the English message to finish to reach the multilingual operators.

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Federal Disaster Assistance Includes Right of Appeal

Letter From FEMA is the Starting Point

LINCROFT, N.J. — After registering with FEMA, disaster survivors receive a letter from FEMA concerning the status of their application. The letter is a starting point about whether or not the applicant will receive disaster assistance.

Applicants should read the letter carefully. Even if the letter says that you are ineligible, the reason might simply be that you have not provided all the information or documentation required. It does not necessarily mean “case closed.” When applicable, the letter explains what additional information is needed or how to appeal a decision that you do not qualify for assistance.

Ask for help if you don’t understand the letter. Call the helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585 or visit a Disaster Recovery Center where you can talk with a FEMA representative about your particular situation.

To find the nearest center, log on to www.fema.gov/drclocator.

You may not have qualified for financial help right away, but that decision may change if you submit additional documents. Some of the reasons for an initial ineligible decision can be that you:

  • Have not submitted a settlement or denial determination from your insurance company.
  • Did not provide FEMA with all the information needed to process your application.
  • Have not provided proof of ownership or occupancy.
  • Did not provide records that showed the damaged property was your primary residence at the time of the disaster.
  • Did not sign essential documents.

FEMA can never duplicate assistance from insurance or other government sources, but FEMA may be able to cover some of your uninsured losses.

Providing the requested information or taking the required actions outlined in the letter might change FEMA’s determination. The letter also explains how to appeal a determination. Appeals must be filed within 60 days of the date of the ineligible decision.

Remember: the letter from FEMA is a starting point. You should:

  • Read the letter carefully.
  • Ask questions and ask for help.
  • Tell FEMA if you think the decision is incorrect. You have the right to ask FEMA to reconsider the decision.

This video, http://www.fema.gov/medialibrary/media_records/6486 gives more information about how to appeal a FEMA determination.         

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.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, 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. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

 

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Letter From FEMA is the Starting Point