What is the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)?
FEMA's mission is to help people before, during and after disasters. Here's what you can expect from FEMA in each stage.
During a disaster, FEMA coordinates the federal response to disasters that receive a Presidential disaster declaration. FEMA, along with insurance, works to support housing and other needs like funerary, medical, childcare, and moving/storage.
Lastly, it coordinates with the U.S. Small Business Administration for those with property ownership and community partners for any unmet needs that aren't covered by grants, public assistance, or insurance.
Disaster Assistance
Different disaster assistance programs are available for individual citizens and public groups, such as government agencies and private nonprofit organizations.
Individual Assistance
If you are affected by a disaster and live in an area designated for Individual Assistance under a major disaster declaration, you can apply for Individual Assistance for support during the immediate response of an incident and afterward in the recovery process.
Public Assistance
Our Public Assistance Program provides supplemental grants to state, tribal, territorial, and local governments, as well as certain types of private non-profits, to respond and recover from emergencies or major disasters.
The program helps communities cover costs for debris removal, life-saving emergency protective procedures, and restoring public infrastructure. Public Assistance hazard mitigation funding helps communities build back better and reduce future disaster loss.
There are many types of assistance programs available to help survivors after a disaster for needs like emergency sheltering, home repairs and hazard mitigation. Visit DisasterAssistance.gov to apply for disaster assistance, check the status of an application, or to get more information about types of disaster assistance available.
FEMA Response In the Field
Disaster Survivor Assistance
When a disaster is declared in your area, you may see Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams (DSATs) canvassing communities to register people for disaster assistance, provide in-person information and referrals to help.
Disaster Recovery Centers
FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers are accessible facilities and mobile offices in convenient areas for survivors. At these centers, you can learn more about FEMA and other disaster assistance programs, register and get status checks on your case, and get answers or resolve problems.
Survivors' Road to Recovery
FEMA Process: How To Apply
To apply for FEMA assistance:
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Check that your area has been declared at DisasterAssistance.gov. Enter your city or zip code into the look-up box. Find your county/parish under “declared counties. FEMA disaster assistance applications are typically accepted for 60 days from the date of the disaster declaration, but the application deadline may be extended further in some disasters.
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Prepare your documents for the application including (bolded are musts for FEMA as outlined in their January 2025 Press Release):
- Names of everyone living in your home at the time of the fires.
- Your address with zip code
- Condition of your damaged home, if known including information of property damage/emergency needs.
- Insurance information, if available
- Social Security number (yours or your child’s)
- Phone number/Email/where you can be contacted
- Address where you can get mail or email address to receive electronic notifications
- Annual household income
- Account information, if you would like your assistance provided through direct deposit
You can apply or update your information online at DisasterAssistance.gov, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, or through the FEMA mobile app.
How to Document Your Damage
Document all damage. This is a crucial part of the insurance claims process. Without proper and thorough documentation, your insurer could deny your claim.
- Take photographs of any damaged/discarded objects, including furniture, clothing, appliances, and other belongings.
- Photograph any structural damage, cosmetic/surface-level damage, and any standing water levels, both inside and outside your home. You can also use video footage to supplement your photos if you have a video recorder.
- Photograph and document any damage to other structures on your property. This may include your garage, tool shed, or swimming pool.
- Have your electrical system assessed by a professional electrician. Most insurance companies will reimburse you for any necessary inspections.
- Once again, do not throw out any items until an insurance adjuster has visited your home. You can compile the damaged property in your garage or yard, if it is safe and feasible to do so. That way your home and undamaged property will not be subjected to any additional mold.
- Keep detailed notes and send a follow-up email after every conversation with an insurance representative or adjuster to document your progress. If the claim is accepted, you may receive one or multiple checks based on the extent of the damage.
From East Parish Baton Rouge Disaster LibGuide - FEMA, Vox What homeowners and renters need to know after a wildfire
I Applied for FEMA Assistance. What's Next?
Update Your Contact Information
- Your application status may change a few times as it is reviewed. You can always check the latest status by logging into DisasterAssistance.gov under the Status tab.
- When applying, you will have the choice to sign up for email, phone calls, and text updates. You may receive official updates from FEMA through: emails from noreply-ecorr@dhs.gov or fema-automessaging@fema.intouchconnections.com or fema-automessaging@fema.dhs.gov, calls from 1-800-621-3362 or 1-866-863-8673. Sometimes FEMA may call with a recorded voice message to give you information about your application or texts from 43362 or 91908.
Review Your Application on DisasterAssistance.gov
You can create an online FEMA Disaster Assistance Center (DAC) account at DisasterAssistance.gov. You will be instructed to create a unique Personal Identification Number (PIN) for secure access to your disaster assistance application information. Make sure to:
Helpful FEMA Resources
- FEMA's Preparedness CommunityThis site is FEMA’s portal for practitioners, students and partners with a common stake in building a resilient nation through individual and community preparedness. Here you can explore research-based protective actions, download disaster preparation and recovery resources, and find guidance on how you and your family can: Become volunteer responders for your community.
Learn what to do to stay safe during a disaster and assist someone until help arrives. Discover how to prepare for, protect against and respond to disasters.