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 soon:

• • Spanish translation
  • 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 soon:

• • Spanish translation
  • Vietnamese translation