Disaster survivors who receive a FEMA letter saying they were not approved for assistance may still be able to qualify by providing more information or filing an appeal.
The letter explains an applicant's status, any approved amount, how the money may be used and what steps are required to challenge the decision, FEMA said.
Applications are sometimes held because the agency needs supporting documents. Examples include an insurance settlement or denial letter and proof that the damaged property was the applicant's primary residence when the disaster occurred.
Applicants who disagree with FEMA's decision or award amount may submit an appeal with supporting records, such as a contractor's repair estimate. The appeal must be postmarked or submitted within 60 days of the date on the FEMA letter.
An appeal form is included at the end of the letter. Applicants can use it to explain their circumstances and provide the information FEMA needs for another review.
Appeals and supporting records can be uploaded through a personal account at DisasterAssistance.gov. Applicants can also seek help at an in-person disaster assistance site or mail documents to the FEMA National Processing Service Center, P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville, Maryland 20782-7055.
Every appeal document should include the applicant's current phone number and address, the disaster number, the nine-digit FEMA application number and the address of the damaged home.
FEMA advises applicants to put the identifying information on every page they submit. That can help the agency associate records with the correct case during the review.
If another person files the appeal for the applicant, FEMA requires a signed statement authorizing that person to act unless the authorization is already on file.
Applicants can check their case at any time through the status tracker at DisasterAssistance.gov. Questions may be directed to the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362, and relay-service users should provide their relay number.
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