Personal Property and FEMA Assistance

FEMA assistance is limited to basic needs. It will not restore all property lost due to the Hurricanes Milton, Helene or 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 Hurricanes Milton, Helene or 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.

How to Apply

Homeowners and renters are encouraged to apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by using the FEMA App. You may also apply by phone at 800-621-3362. If you choose to apply by phone, please understand wait times may be longer because of increased volume for multiple recent disasters. Lines are open every day and help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service. For an accessible video on how to apply for assistance go to FEMA Accessible: Applying for Individual Assistance - YouTube.

If you applied to FEMA after Hurricanes Debby or Helene and have additional damage from Hurricane Milton, you will need to apply separately for Milton and provide the dates of your most recent damage.

For the latest information about Hurricane Milton recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4834. For Hurricane Helene recovery information, visit fema.gov/disaster/4828. For Hurricane Debby recovery information, visit fema.gov/disaster/4806. Follow FEMA on X at x.com/femaregion4 or on Facebook at facebook.com/fema.