FEMA Disaster Assistance
How to Appeal a FEMA Decision
Survivors have the right to appeal any FEMA decision or award amount.
How do I appeal?
You can appeal any FEMA decision or award amount by sending documents that show you qualify and need more help, like estimates for repairs, receipts, bills, etc. Each decision letter you receive from FEMA explains types of documents that may help you appeal your FEMA’s decision or award amount for that type of assistance.
Supporting documents may include:
- Receipts
- Bills
- Repair estimates
- Property titles or deeds
- Any other information that may support the reasons for the appeal.
Do I have to send any other documents?
No, but you can send additional information to help explain why you are appealing. Sending additional information isn’t required, but it can help FEMA consider your appeal. If you want to send additional information, you can:
- Send a signed and completed Appeal Request Form. A copy of this form is included in your FEMA decision letter.
- Send a signed, written appeal letter.
Appeals must be submitted within 60 days of the date on the FEMA decision letter.
What should I include on documents I send to FEMA?
All documents you send to FEMA as part of your appeal should include your:
- Full name
- Current phone number and address
- Disaster Number and FEMA Application Number written on all pages and
- Address of the disaster-damaged home.
Receipts, bills, and estimates must include the business name and contact information to help FEMA confirm the information.
Can someone appeal for me?
Yes. If you send a written explanation for the appeal that is written by someone other than you, it must include their signature. FEMA will need your written permission to share information about your application. You can do this by completing an Authorization for the Release of Information Under the Privacy Act form and sending it to FEMA.
How can I send documents?
- Upload to your disaster assistance account at DisasterAssistance.gov.
- Mail to:
FEMA,
P.O. Box 10055,
Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055. - Fax to 1-800-827-8112.
- Visit a Disaster Recovery Center
Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 833-285-7448. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. Multilingual operators are available (press 2 for Spanish and 3 for other languages).
Federal Disaster Declared for May 20-21 Storms And Flooding
Governor Kim Reynolds announced today that President Biden has approved Iowa’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Iowa counties where significant damage was sustained from severe storms and widespread flooding that occurred on May 21, 2024. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are now authorized to provide assistance to Adair, Polk, Story, and Montgomery counties.
Major Disaster Declaration Approved for April 26th Tornado
May 14, 2024
Gov. Kim Reynolds announced today that President Biden has approved Iowa’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are now authorized to provide assistance to Clarke, Harrison, Mills, Polk, Pottawattamie, Ringgold, Shelby, and Union Counties that were impacted by severe weather on April 26, 2024.
Residents in these counties can now apply for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Individual Assistance Program, which provides disaster-affected homeowners, renters, and businesses with programs and services to maximize recovery, including assistance with housing, personal property replacement, medical expenses, and legal services.
Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance by calling 1-800-621-3362. The helpline operates from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., 7 days a week. Anyone using a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, can give FEMA the number for that service. Other options include registering online at www.disasterassistance.gov or downloading the FEMA app.
Homeowners, renters, businesses, and nonprofit organizations whose property was damaged or destroyed by this disaster, may be able to apply for low-interest disaster loans from the SBA. In addition, small businesses, agricultural cooperatives, and private, nonprofit organizations impacted by the severe weather may be eligible to apply for working capital loans.
Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information, and download applications at www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance.
Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
The Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program is no longer available in counties where the FEMA Individual Assistance Program has been made available and residents should apply for the FEMA Individual Assistance Program.
You can find more information at DisasterAssistance.gov
or