FEMA - Federal Emergency Management Agency

08/21/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/21/2024 13:34

How to Appeal a FEMA Decision

Release Date:
August 21, 2024

You can appeal any FEMA decision or award amount by sending documents that show you qualify for and need more help, like estimates for repairs, receipts or bills.

If you receive a letter from FEMA that says you're "ineligible" for assistance, you can appeal.

Read your letter carefully - it will explain which types of documents can help you appeal. These may include:

  • Receipts
  • Bills
  • Repair estimates
  • Property titles or deeds
  • Any other information that supports the reasons for the appeal

You must submit your appeal within 60 days of the date on FEMA's letter.

Steps to Appeal

1. Gather your documents

Each document should include your:

  • Full name
  • The disaster number (4776 or 4791) and your FEMA Application Number on all pages

Receipts, bills and estimates must also include the business' name and contact information.

2. Optional: Support With a Letter

If you'd like, you can include a letter to explain why you're appealing. This isn't required, but it can help FEMA consider your appeal. There are two ways to write an appeal letter:

  • Complete and sign the Appeal Request Form included in your decision letter; or
  • Write and sign your own letter.

3. Submit Your Appeal in One of These Ways

  • Upload to your account at DisasterAssistance.gov.
  • Mail to: FEMA, P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055.
  • Fax to 1-800-827-8112.

Help is Available

For help with any step of the appeal process, visit DisasterAssistance.gov or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.

For the latest information, visit fema.gov/disaster/4776 or fema.gov/disaster/4791. Follow our social media accounts at x.com/FEMARegion6 or facebook.com/FEMARegion6/.

FEMA is committed to ensuring disaster assistance is accomplished equitably, without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. Any disaster survivor or member of the public may contact the FEMA Civil Rights Office if they feel that they have a complaint of discrimination. FEMA's Civil Rights Office can be contacted at [email protected] or toll-free at 833-285-7448. Multilingual operators are available.

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