FEMA Assistance Can Help Repair or Replace Furnaces

Are you a homeowner who received FEMA assistance for home repairs? Did you later discover that your furnace was damaged or destroyed by the Iowa severe storms, flooding, straight-line winds and tornadoes this spring?

If your furnace was not covered by your insurance, FEMA may be able to provide additional assistance to repair or replace it. But you must appeal to FEMA in writing and include verifiable repair receipts or estimates.

FEMA may pay up to the actual cost of the receipt or estimate for a furnace. If you repaired or replaced the furnace, FEMA may provide assistance when valid estimates or receipts are submitted on appeal. When you apply for assistance, be sure to report any storm damage to the furnace.

Funding is available to eligible survivors in Buena Vista, Cherokee, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Humboldt, Lyon, Monona, O'Brien, Osceola, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Pottawattamie, Scott, Sioux and Woodbury counties. Only owner-occupied primary homes can be considered for assistance. Vacation homes and second homes are not eligible.

Home Repair Assistance is available only to homeowners for uninsured or underinsured items and disaster-related expenses intended to make the residence safe, sanitary and functional. Some FEMA assistance is also available for other structural components at your primary home including wells, septic systems, water heaters and other electrical appliances.

Keep in mind: You must submit your written appeal within 60 days of the date of your FEMA determination letter. And be sure to include documentation to support the appeal request such as verifiable repair receipts or estimates, contractor estimates or other evidence to support your appeal.

Once you've sent FEMA an appeal, you can expect a decision letter within 90 days after FEMA receives it.

Residents can also register for disaster assistance by:

• Visiting DisasterAssistance.gov
• Calling FEMA directly at 800-621-FEMA (3362)
• Using the FEMA app

If you have questions about how to submit your appeal, visit a Disaster Recovery Center - DRC Locator (fema.gov) - or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. Helpline operators are available from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Press 2 for Spanish, press 3 for an interpreter who speaks your language.

For the latest on Iowa's recovery efforts, visit 4796 | FEMA.gov.