Disaster
Assistance

Get Financial Assistance After a Disaster

Learn about the assistance available to disaster survivors from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration (SBA)

FEMA Resources

Deadlines

Counties

San Diego.

Application Deadline

April 19, 2024

Type of Help

FEMA can help survivors pay for rent, home repair/replacement and many other  disaster-related needs, including replacement or repair of vehicles, funeral expenses, medical or dental expenses and miscellaneous other costs. To be reimbursed by FEMA, survivors should photograph damage and save repair receipts.

How to apply

Contact the FEMA Disaster Assistance Helpline if you have questions about:

  • The help offered by FEMA.
  • How to apply for assistance.
  • Information in your account.

 

Call 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET, 7 days a week:

  • 1-800-621-3362 (also for 711 & VRS)

FEMA Appeals Clinics

If you were denied FEMA assistance or did not receive sufficient assistance, you have the right to appeal. Typically, FEMA decisions must be appealed within 60 days of the date on the decision letter. After completing an intake, an attorney will be assigned to you. Over the course of about two weeks, the attorney will work with you to produce a FEMA appeal complete with a letter.

When the FEMA Appeals Clinic is in session, you will be able to complete an intake by calling our intake clinic. The information for any upcoming intake clinics can be found on this page or by contacting us at acbalegalaccess@gmail.com. Over the course of two weeks, the attorney will work with you to produce a FEMA appeal complete with a letter.

How to prepare for the FEMA Appeals Clinic:

Gather documents that are applicable to your case.

  • FEMA Application
  • FEMA Award Letter
  • FEMA Denial Letter
  • Home insurance policy If you are a tenant: a copy of your lease. If you have a new lease since relocating after the disaster, please be prepared to provide your old and new leases.
  • Any receipts from money spent to cover housing (Example: hotel/motel receipts)
  • A list of lost essential personal and business property. Please be sure to include the item’s name and how much it would cost to replace the item at which retailer.
  • If you are seeking FEMA assistance with property repair, get an estimate from a contractor.

Next clinic date:

Additional FEMA Appeal Resources:

Immigrants & FEMA

The following FAQs answer common questions about immigration status and FEMA

 

SBA Resources

Deadlines

Counties

San Diego

Application Deadline

Check here for more information

Type of Help

The Small Business Administration (SBA) provides low-interest loans to those in disaster declared areas. SBA loans can be used to make home repairs, replace personal property and more. The SBA offers three types of loans.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans– help small businesses and nonprofits meet their financial obligations, that cannot be made as a result of the disaster

Home Disaster Loans – help homeowners and renters makes repairs and replace personal property

Business Physical Disaster Loans – help provide funds to replace disaster damaged property or real estate.

The Small Business Administration is granting 12 months of no payments and 0% interest for disasters declared on or after 9/21/2022 through 9/21/2023.

Appeals

If you have received a denial letter from the SBA saying that you are not eligible for a disaster loan or that your application is incomplete, you have the right to appeal the decision within 45 days of receiving mailed notification.

FEMA FAQs

What is FEMA?

FEMA is the Federal Emergency Management Agency. FEMA is responsible for coordinating and providing access to financial assistance programs in the event of a federally declared natural disaster. Government assistance programs coordinated by FEMA include: Housing Assistance, Home Repair Assistance, Small Business Administration Disaster loans, Farm Service Agency loans, Cora Brown Fund grants, and Other Needs Assistance.

Are there important deadlines related to the FEMA application process?

Yes. The current deadlines to complete and submit FEMA applications are as follows:

Home Repair Assistance – April 19, 2024

What does FEMA’s disaster housing assistance program cover?

FEMA’s housing assistance program is intended to provide financial assistance to pay the cost of temporary housing, housing repairs, housing replacement, and/or replacement of household items.

What can I do if FEMA denied my request for assistance?

If you have received a denial letter, you may appeal FEMA’s decision within 60 days of the date of FEMA’s decision. Further information regarding the appeals process can be located on your denial letter. If you would like assistance regarding a FEMA denial, please attend one of our upcoming FEMA appeals clinics.

Am I eligible to obtain disaster housing assistance from FEMA?

To be eligible to receive disaster housing assistance from FEMA you, or someone who lives with you, must be a United States citizen, qualified alien, or non-citizen national, your loss must have occurred at your main place of residence, you must not be insured or be under insured, you must not have an alternative rent-free housing option, and your home must have been damaged or destroyed as a result of a federally declared disaster. If there is a US Citizen minor in the household, the application can be made on their behalf, regardless of the parent's immigration status.

Where can I find more information about FEMA’s programs for fire survivors?

If you have questions about FEMA you can find more information by going to www.fema.gov or calling 1-800-621-FEMA.

How do I register with FEMA?

You can register with FEMA at your nearest Local Assistance Center, by calling 1-800-621-FEMA, or by going online to disasterassistance.gov. Keep in mind that you will need to provide certain documentation during registration. To find a list of the necessary documents you can go to disasterassistance.gov/get-assistance/application-checklist.

FAQs present by Legal Aid of Sonoma County

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