FEMA - Federal Emergency Management Agency

08/23/2024 | Press release | Archived content

Personal Property and FEMA Assistance

Release Date:
August 23, 2024

FEMA assistance is limited to basic needs. It will not restore all property lost due to the Hurricane Debby. Insurance coverage is the best way to recover after a disaster. However, FEMA assistance for personal property may be available if you are uninsured or underinsured.

Types of Assistance

  • Appliances: Includes standard household appliances, such as a refrigerator, washing machine, etc.
  • Clothing: Essential clothing needed due to loss, damage or contamination.
  • Home Furnishings: Basic furnishings found in a bedroom, kitchen, bathroom and living room.
  • Tools Required for Work and School: Tools and equipment required for your job and items required for education purposes. This assistance also applies to self-employed individuals.
  • Computing Devices: This includes one personal or family computer. You may be eligible for funds for additional computers required for work or school that were damaged by the disaster.
  • Accessible Items: FEMA provides assistance for damaged personal property required for eligible applicants with disabilities.

Eligibility Conditions

  • Items must have been owned prior to Hurricane Debby and been damaged by the storm.
  • Items were owned and being used by occupants of the household.
    • FEMA does not provide assistance for furnishings and/or appliances provided by a landlord.
    • Items used by guests and relatives who were not members of the pre-disaster household are not eligible for assistance.
  • FEMA may not repair or replace a storm-damaged item if you own a similar item that works.
  • Visit any Disaster Recovery Center. For locations and hours, go online to fema.gov/drc.

How to Apply

Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA App, visit a Disaster Recovery Center or call 800-621-3362 any day. Multilingual operators are available. If you use a relay service, captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.

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