FEMA Disaster Assistance for Renters: How to Apply and What You Can Get

Last updated 1 week ago. Our resources are updated regularly but please keep in mind that links, programs, policies, and contact information do change.

When a major disaster strikes, renters in federally declared disaster areas can register for Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance. The central pillar of this support is FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program (IHP), which provides financial aid and sometimes direct services to eligible individuals and households—including renters—who have uninsured or under-insured necessary expenses and serious needs resulting from the disaster.

IHP assistance is not a replacement for renter’s insurance and is not designed to compensate for all losses. Its purpose is to meet your most basic needs and supplement your personal recovery efforts.

The entire system of federal disaster aid for individuals hinges on a critical first step: a presidential disaster declaration that specifically authorizes “Individual Assistance” (IA). A disaster may receive a federal declaration for “Public Assistance” (PA) only, which provides funds to state and local governments to rebuild infrastructure like roads and public buildings.

Without the specific IA designation, the programs and funds described in this guide are not activated for individuals and households. So the first thing to confirm is the type of declaration issued for your area.

Eligibility Requirements

Before beginning the application process, understand the eligibility criteria. FEMA has a set of core requirements that every applicant, including renters, must meet to qualify for assistance under the Individuals and Households Program.

Basic Conditions

To receive most forms of FEMA aid, you must satisfy four fundamental conditions:

Citizenship/Immigration Status: You or at least one member of your household (including a minor child) must be a U.S. citizen, a non-citizen national, or a “qualified alien”.

Identity Verification: FEMA must be able to verify your identity. This is typically done through an automated search of public records using your Social Security number. If this automated check is unsuccessful, FEMA will ask you to provide documents to prove your identity.

Disaster-Caused Need: Your losses, necessary expenses, and serious needs must be a direct result of the presidentially declared disaster.

Insurance and Duplication of Benefits: By law, FEMA cannot provide assistance for losses that are covered by other sources, such as renter’s insurance. This is known as the “duplication of benefits” rule. If you have a renter’s insurance policy, you are required to file a claim with your insurance provider first. You must then submit the insurance settlement or denial letter to FEMA before your eligibility for certain types of assistance can be determined.

Primary Residence Rule

FEMA assistance is strictly limited to damage and losses related to your primary residence. This is the home where you live for the majority of the calendar year. Aid is not available for secondary properties, vacation homes, or investment properties.

Proving Occupancy

For homeowners, FEMA can often verify ownership through automated public records searches of deeds and tax rolls. For renters, proving you lived at the damaged address—known as “occupancy verification”—is a common and critical step that frequently requires submitting documentation.

Because rental agreements are private contracts and not typically part of public databases, the automated system is more likely to fail for renters, triggering a request for documents. To avoid delays, gather these documents before you apply.

FEMA accepts a wide range of documents to prove you occupied the property at the time of the disaster. All submitted documents must include your name and the address of the damaged residence. They also must meet specific date requirements, generally having been issued within one year before the disaster or during the assistance period.

Types of Assistance Available

If you meet the eligibility criteria, FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program offers several types of assistance, broadly divided into Housing Assistance and Other Needs Assistance (ONA).

Housing Assistance

FEMA’s top priority is ensuring survivors have a safe place to stay. For renters displaced from their homes, several options are available.

Immediate/Short-Term Lodging: In the immediate aftermath of a disaster, you may be eligible for several forms of short-term sheltering help.

Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA): If activated for your disaster, this program allows FEMA to pay participating hotels or motels directly for you to stay temporarily.

Lodging Expense Reimbursement (LER): If TSA is not available, you may be eligible for reimbursement of your out-of-pocket lodging expenses. You must keep verifiable receipts for all costs, which may include the room rate and taxes, but not food or other miscellaneous expenses.

Displacement Assistance: This is a one-time, upfront payment intended to provide flexibility for your immediate housing needs. You can use it for a hotel stay, to give to family or friends you are staying with, or for other options. If you receive Displacement Assistance, you are not eligible for LER.

Temporary Rental Assistance: This is the most common form of longer-term housing aid for renters. If your rental home is determined to be uninhabitable due to the disaster, FEMA can provide you with money to rent an alternate place to live, such as an apartment, house, or even a recreational vehicle.

This assistance covers your monthly rent payment, a security deposit, and essential utilities like gas, electricity, water, trash, and sewer. It does not cover phone, internet, or cable television services.

Initial rental assistance is granted for a set period, but you can apply for continued assistance for up to 18 months. To receive an extension, you must complete an “Application for Continued Temporary Housing Assistance” (FEMA Form FF-104-FY-21-115) and provide documents showing your ongoing need for housing help.

Direct Temporary Housing Assistance: In rare situations where a disaster has created a severe housing shortage and rental properties are not available, FEMA may provide a direct housing solution. This can include a travel trailer or a manufactured housing unit. This is considered a last-resort option, and after an initial rent-free period, FEMA may begin charging fair market rent for the unit.

Other Needs Assistance

Beyond housing, FEMA provides assistance for other essential, disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

Serious Needs Assistance (SNA): This is an upfront, one-time payment per household to cover urgent, life-sustaining needs. Formerly known as Critical Needs Assistance, SNA is for items like water, food, first aid, prescriptions, infant formula, diapers, and fuel for transportation. It is not intended to reimburse you for food that spoiled due to a power outage.

Personal Property Assistance: This provides funds to help you repair or replace essential personal belongings damaged in the disaster. This includes necessary appliances (refrigerator, stove), room furnishings (beds, sofa), and a personal or family computer. FEMA assistance is for essential items only and will not cover luxury goods or non-essential electronics.

Transportation Assistance: If your primary vehicle was damaged by the disaster and you do not have another usable vehicle, you may be eligible for funds to help with repairs or replacement.

Moving and Storage Assistance: If you need to move and store your personal property to prevent further damage while your home is uninhabitable, FEMA may provide financial assistance for these expenses.

Medical, Dental, and Funeral Assistance: FEMA can help pay for uninsured medical or dental expenses caused by the disaster, as well as funeral, interment, or reburial costs.

Child Care Assistance: If the disaster created a new or increased need for child care, you may be eligible for assistance to cover these expenses.

Clean and Sanitize Assistance: In some disasters, if your home sustained minor damage but was not rendered uninhabitable, you may be eligible for a small grant to help with cleaning and sanitizing to prevent potential health hazards.

How to Apply

Before You Apply

Taking these preparatory steps can significantly improve the speed and success of your application.

Document Everything: As soon as it is safe to do so, take extensive photos and videos of the damage to your rental unit and all affected personal belongings. This visual evidence is invaluable.

Make a List: Create a detailed inventory of all damaged or lost items. For each item, note its description, approximate age, and estimated replacement cost.

Contact Your Insurance Company: This is a mandatory first step if you have renter’s insurance. You must file a claim with your provider before FEMA can consider you for assistance for any insured losses. Keep all correspondence, including the final settlement or denial letter, as you will need to provide it to FEMA.

Registration Methods

You can apply for FEMA assistance through one of four official channels:

Online: The most efficient method is to apply online at the official Disaster Assistance website.

By Phone: You can apply by calling the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362. The helpline is available from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time, seven days a week. If you use TTY, call 1-800-462-7585. If you use a Video Relay Service (VRS), captioned telephone service (CTS), or other communication services, provide FEMA with the specific number assigned to that service.

Mobile App: You can apply using the official FEMA mobile app.

In-Person: You can visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC), where representatives from FEMA and other agencies can help you apply in person. To find the nearest DRC, you can use the online locator or text DRC followed by your ZIP code to 43362.

Required Information

When you are ready to apply, have the following information on hand:

• Social Security Number: You, another adult, or a minor child in your household must have a Social Security number.
• Insurance Information: The type of insurance coverage you have (e.g., renter’s, auto).
• Damage Information: A description of the damage caused by the disaster to your rental unit and personal property.
• Financial Information: Your total annual household income before taxes at the time of the disaster.
• Contact Information: The address of the damaged rental property and a current mailing address and phone number where FEMA can reach you.
• Direct Deposit Information (Optional): If you are approved for financial assistance, providing your bank name, account type, routing number, and account number will allow FEMA to deposit the funds directly into your account, which is the fastest way to receive them.

After You Apply

The Inspection: After you register, a FEMA-contracted inspector will contact you to schedule a visit to your damaged rental property to verify the damage you reported. It is critical that you or a designated adult representative are present for this inspection.

The inspector will wear an official photo ID badge. During the visit, they will verify your identity, confirm your occupancy of the property, and document the extent of the disaster-related damage.

The Decision Letter: After the inspection and a review of your application, FEMA will send you a decision letter, either by mail or email, based on the preference you selected. This letter will explain whether you are approved for assistance, the amount and types of aid you will receive, how the funds must be used, and your right to appeal the decision if you disagree.

The SBA Loan Connection

One of the most confusing parts of the disaster assistance process for many survivors is the involvement of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Despite its name, the SBA is a primary source of federal disaster recovery funds for individuals and families, including renters.

What is the SBA Disaster Loan?

The SBA provides long-term, low-interest disaster loans to help renters, homeowners, and businesses recover from a declared disaster. You do not need to own a business to be eligible for these loans.

For renters, the key program is the Home and Personal Property Loan. This loan can be used to repair or replace personal property that was damaged or destroyed and was not covered by insurance, such as clothing, furniture, appliances, and vehicles.

Renters may be eligible to borrow up to $40,000 to $100,000 (the maximum amount is subject to change and should be verified with the SBA) to replace personal property. These loans have favorable terms, including interest rates that do not exceed 4% for applicants unable to obtain credit elsewhere, a 12-month deferment on the first payment, and repayment terms of up to 30 years.

Why You Might Be Required to Apply

For certain types of FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance—specifically for replacing personal property and vehicles—you may be required to apply for an SBA loan first. This process acts as a financial assessment to determine the best way to provide federal aid.

If the SBA reviews your application and approves you for a loan, you are expected to use that loan to cover your personal property losses. You will not receive a separate FEMA grant for those same items.

If the SBA reviews your application and denies you a loan (often because your income is not sufficient to repay it), the SBA automatically refers your case back to FEMA. This loan denial is what may trigger your eligibility for FEMA’s ONA grants to cover those same personal property needs.

The critical takeaway: If you receive an SBA loan application, you must complete and submit it. Failure to do so will halt the process, and you will not be considered for certain FEMA grants for your personal property. You are not required to accept the loan if one is offered, but you are required to complete the application to continue the process for FEMA assistance.

How to Apply for an SBA Loan

After you register with FEMA and report personal property damage, you may be automatically referred to the SBA and receive a loan application. You can also apply proactively through several channels:

Online: Apply through the SBA’s secure MySBA Loan Portal or at DisasterLoan.sba.gov.

In-Person: Apply at a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) or an SBA-specific Disaster Loan Outreach Center.

By Phone: For questions or assistance, contact the SBA Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 or email [email protected].

Understanding Denials and Appeals

Receiving a letter from FEMA stating that you are “ineligible” can be disheartening, but it is crucial to understand that this is often not the final word. In many cases, the letter is simply a request for more information or documentation needed to continue processing your application. You have a legal right to appeal any FEMA decision.

Common Reasons for Denial

Carefully read your decision letter to understand the specific reason for the determination. Here are some of the most common reasons a renter’s application might be initially denied and what is needed to resolve the issue:

Occupancy Not Verified: This is the most frequent hurdle for renters. FEMA was unable to confirm that you lived at the damaged address. To appeal, you must submit one of the proof of occupancy documents listed in the eligibility section of this guide.

Identity Not Verified: FEMA could not confirm your identity. You will need to submit a copy of a government-issued photo ID or another official document with your Social Security number.

Insufficient Damage / Home is Safe to Occupy: An initial assessment determined that your rental unit was still safe, sanitary, and functional. If you disagree, you can appeal by providing evidence to the contrary, such as photos of the damage, a letter from your landlord confirming the unit is uninhabitable, or repair estimates from a contractor.

Insurance May Cover Losses: You indicated you have renter’s insurance but have not yet provided FEMA with the settlement or denial letter from your insurance company.

Unwilling to Relocate: If you told the inspector you were not willing to move from your damaged home, you may have been denied rental assistance. You can appeal this by writing a letter explaining that you do need to relocate to temporary housing.

One Application Per Household: FEMA allows only one application per household address. If you and a roommate or other household member both applied, the duplicate application should be withdrawn by calling the FEMA Helpline.

The Appeals Process

You have the right to appeal any FEMA decision within 60 days of the date printed on your decision letter. It is critical to note that the 60-day clock starts from the date on the letter, not the date you receive it in the mail.

If you miss the deadline but have a good reason for the delay (such as hospitalization or a family emergency), you should still submit your appeal with a written explanation for why it is late. FEMA may consider late appeals on a case-by-case basis.

What to Include in Your Appeal

A strong appeal is clear, concise, and well-documented. Your appeal package should contain:

The Appeal Letter: A written letter, signed and dated by you, that clearly explains why you are appealing FEMA’s decision. State the facts of your situation simply and directly.

Essential Information: To ensure your documents are correctly filed with your case, you must include the following on every page you submit:

• Your full name
• Your FEMA application number
• The disaster number (e.g., DR-4878-TN)
• Your signature

Supporting Documentation: This is the most important part of your appeal. Provide copies (never send originals) of all documents that support your claim. This could include your lease agreement, utility bills to prove occupancy, the insurance denial letter, receipts for temporary lodging, photos of the damage, or contractor estimates.

Legal Statement: It is highly recommended that you include the following statement above your signature: “I hereby declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.”

How to Submit Your Appeal

You have four options for submitting your appeal:

Online: Upload your appeal letter and supporting documents to your online account at DisasterAssistance.gov.

By Mail: Mail your complete appeal package to: FEMA – Individuals & Households Program National Processing Service Center P.O. Box 10055 Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055 (It is advisable to send this via certified mail with a return receipt to have proof of delivery).

By Fax: Fax your documents to 800-827-8112.

In-Person: You can submit your appeal at any open Disaster Recovery Center (DRC).

After you submit your appeal, a decision is typically made within 30 days, although it can take up to 90 days. FEMA may contact you for additional information or schedule a second inspection. You will be notified of the final decision in writing.

Additional Support Beyond FEMA

While FEMA is a critical component of disaster recovery, it is not the only source of help. A network of nonprofit organizations and other government agencies provides a wide range of support, often addressing needs that FEMA does not cover.

American Red Cross

In the first hours and days after a disaster, the American Red Cross is a primary provider of immediate, life-sustaining aid. Their assistance is a charitable gift and is separate from and will not affect your eligibility for FEMA aid. Key services include:

Shelter: The Red Cross opens and operates emergency shelters, providing a safe place to sleep, hot meals, and access to other support. Everyone is welcome at a Red Cross shelter, regardless of citizenship status, and no identification is required to enter. You can find an open shelter by visiting the Red Cross website or by texting SHELTER and your ZIP code to 43362.

Food and Water: The Red Cross provides hot meals and snacks at shelters and distributes them in affected neighborhoods via emergency response vehicles.

Health and Mental Health Services: Volunteers can provide first aid, help replace lost prescription medications and eyeglasses, and offer emotional support and mental health services to help survivors cope with trauma.

Emergency Financial Assistance: In some large-scale disasters, the Red Cross may offer direct financial assistance to households whose homes have suffered major damage or were destroyed. This assistance is a grant, not a loan, and is often delivered through a direct invitation to eligible households identified through damage assessments.

State and Local Resources

Your state and local governments are the front line of any disaster response and often have programs and resources tailored to your community.

State Emergency Management Agency: Every state and territory has an emergency management agency that coordinates the state-level response. They are the best source for information on state-specific assistance programs. You can find a directory of all state agencies on the USA.gov website.

2-1-1 Service: This is a vital resource. By dialing 2-1-1 or visiting their local website, you can connect with a wide range of local social services, including non-profit organizations that may offer help with housing, food, and other unmet needs.

Housing Support

For renters who are already participating in a federal housing program, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides specific support channels. If you live in Public Housing or receive assistance through the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program, you should contact HUD directly for guidance.

• Public Housing residents and Housing Choice Voucher holders: Call 1-800-955-2232.
• Residents of Section 8 units: Call 1-800-685-8470.

Legal Assistance

Disasters can create a host of legal challenges for renters, including issues with terminating a lease, recovering a security deposit, or dealing with an unlawful eviction from a damaged property. Free legal assistance is often available for low-income survivors.

Disaster Legal Services (DLS): This program, a partnership between the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division and FEMA, provides free legal help to disaster survivors. State-specific hotlines are often established after a major disaster. The national hotline number is 1-888-743-5749.

Our articles make government information more accessible. Please consult a qualified professional for financial, legal, or health advice specific to your circumstances.