Federal Disaster Aid

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Disaster Fact Sheets

Major Storm Disaster Declarations

A major storm disaster declaration refers to a formal process that requests federal assistance to deal with a major disaster that overwhelms state and local capacity under the Stafford Act. The formal request allows the federal government to provide support such as mobilizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Guard as well as other support, depending upon the situation.

Download Disaster Fact Sheet #1 >

Also available:

- DECLARACIONES DE DESASTRE POR TORMENTAS FUERTES — Spanish translation
- TUYÊN BỐ THẢM HỌA BÃO LỚN — Vietnamese translation

Common Types of Federal Disaster Aid for Major Storms

The federal government provides several types of disaster aid related to major storm events. Aid programs can be provided to individuals as well as communities. The specific type of aid available will depend on the storm event and its disaster declaration. The disaster declaration will establish the locations and type of aid available for that disaster.

Download Disaster Fact Sheet #2 >

Also available:

- TIPOS COMUNES DE AYUDA FEDERAL PARA DESASTRES POR GRANDES TORMENTAS — Spanish translation
- CÁC LOẠI VIỆN TRỢ THIÊN TAI LIÊN BANG PHỔ BIẾN DÀNH CHO BÃO LỚN — Vietnamese translation

Housing Assistance After a Major Storm

When there has been a major disaster, the federal government often offers housing assistance for people in need. There are two main types of housing assistance. First, housing assistance may be financial, which means that people will receive money to find and pay for housing. Second, housing assistance may be direct, which means that a person will not receive money, but they will receive a place to stay, such as a trailer or RV. The federal government decides what types of housing assistance will be available based on the type of major disaster that has taken place, and it will decide what type of assistance a person may be offered. A person only needs to apply for assistance one time to be considered for all types of housing assistance.

Download Disaster Fact Sheet #3 >

Also available:

- ASISTENCIA PARA VIVIENDA DESPUÉS DE UNA GRAN TORMENTA — Spanish translation
- TRỢ CẤP NHÀ Ở SAU BÃO LỚN — Vietnamese translation

Applying for FEMA Disaster Assistance

If a major disaster has been declared in your area, you may be eligible to receive financial assistance from FEMA. There are four ways to apply for federal disaster assistance: online, in the FEMA app, by phone, or in person.

Download Disaster Fact Sheet #4 >

Also available:

- SOLICITAR ASISTENCIA POR DESASTRE A FEMA — Spanish translation
- NỘP ĐƠN XIN HỖ TRỢ THẢM HỌA CỦA FEMA — Vietnamese translation

Updates to FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program

On January 22, 2024, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) published a new rule changing the Individual Assistance Program. These changes aim to make the Individual Assistance program more equitable by expanding eligibility for some types of assistance, removing procedural barriers to entry, and simplifying certain processes overall.

Download Disaster Fact Sheet #5 >

Also available:

- ACTUALIZACIONES DEL PROGRAMA DE ASISTENCIA INDIVIDUAL DE FEMA — Spanish translation
- CẬP NHẬT CHƯƠNG TRÌNH HỖ TRỢ CÁ NHÂN CỦA FEMA — Vietnamese translation

Debris Removal After a Major Disaster for Property Owners

When a community is struck by a major disaster, there will be a significant amount of debris. Property owners are asked to separate the debris on their land into different piles for pickup. While this process may be burdensome, this sorting process aids local governments in seeking federal reimbursement for removal costs. Property owners play an important role in the cost and speed of their community’s recovery.

Download Disaster Fact Sheet #6 >

Also available:

- REMOCIÓN DE ESCOMBROS TRAS UN DESASTRE MAYOR — Spanish translation
- DỌN DẸP TÀN TÍCH SAU MỘT THẢM HỌA LỚN — Vietnamese translation

Debris Removal After a Major Disaster for Local Governments

Removing debris left by a major disaster can be an expensive task for state and local governments. FEMA’s Public Assistant Program provides funding for some debris removal after federally declared disasters. Compliance with the instructions laid out by FEMA in the Debris Monitoring Guide, along with the Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide gives state and local governments the best shot at being reimbursed for their debris removal efforts.

Download Disaster Fact Sheet #7 >

Also available:

- REMOCIÓN DE ESCOMBROS TRAS UN DESASTRE MAYOR — Spanish translation
- DỌN DẸP TÀN TÍCH SAU MỘT THẢM HỌA LỚN — Vietnamese translation

Unemployment Assistance After a Disaster

After a major disaster, there are unemployment assistance programs that may be available to those in need. The Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) program provides assistance to people who have become unemployed because of a disaster. It provides eligible applicants with temporary unemployment benefits and reemployment services. DUA may be available in areas that have been approved for Individual Assistance after a Disaster Declaration.

Download Disaster Fact Sheet #8 >

Also available:

- ASISTENCIA POR DESEMPLEO DESPUÉS DE UN DESASTRE — Spanish translation
- HỖ TRỢ TÌNH TRẠNG THẤT NGHIỆP SAU THẢM HỌA — Vietnamese translation

Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP)

After a major disaster, food programs may be available. The Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP) provides food assistance to households that have been financially affected by a disaster. DSNAP may be available in areas that have been approved for Individual Assistance after a Disaster Declaration.

Download Disaster Fact Sheet #9 >

Also available:

- EL PROGRAMA DE ASISTENCIA SUPLEMENTARIA DE NUTRICIÓN EN CASO DE DESASTRE (DSNAP) — Spanish translation
- CHƯƠNG TRÌNH HỖ TRỢ DINH DƯỠNG BỔ SUNG SAU THẢM HỌA (DSNAP) — Vietnamese translation

Fishery Resource Disasters for Public

A fishery resource disaster happens when there has been a large, unexpected loss in fsh stocks or other changes that lead to a major loss of fishery resources, including the loss of gear, equipment, or fshing boats. Those who have been affected by a fshery resource disaster might qualify for fnancial assistance under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Resource Disasters Improvement Act. To receive assistance under this Act, the disaster must cause a signifcant loss of revenue or harm to the continuation of the fshery due to an “allowable cause.”

Download Disaster Fact Sheet #10 >

Also available:

- DESASTRE DE RECURSOS PESQUEROS — Spanish translation
- THẢM HỌA NGUỒN LỢI THỦY SẢN — Vietnamese translation

Fishery Resource Disasters for Local Governments

A fishery resource disaster occurs when there has been a large, unexpected loss in fish stock or other change that causes a signifcant loss to fshery resources, including the loss of gear or fshing vessels. Those who have been affected by a fshery resource disaster may be eligible to apply for aid under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Resource Disasters Improvement Act. In order to receive assistance under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, a fishery resource disaster must create a signifcant loss of revenue or negative impact to the continuation of the fishery due to an “allowable cause.”

Download Disaster Fact Sheet #11 >

Also available:

DESASTRES DE RECURSOS PESQUEROS — Spanish translation
THẢM HỌA NGUỒN LỢI THỦY SẢN — Vietnamese translation

Requesting Disaster Assistance as a Federally Recognized Tribal Government

Federally recognized tribal governments have unique rights in disaster declarations. These tribes are granted a government-to-government relationship between themselves and the United States, which allows them to request and receive certain federal benefits and services.

Download Disaster Fact Sheet #12 >

Also available soon:

- Spanish translation
- Vietnamese translation