NAVIGATING

FEMA

When disaster strikes, navigating federal assistance programs can be challenging but crucial for recovery. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) plays a central role in disaster response and recovery, offering various forms of assistance to individuals and communities affected by federally declared disasters. understanding how to work with FEMA and related federal assistance programs can help ensure you receive the support you need when it matters most.

Damaged possessions practically obscured a home in Harkers Island, Carteret County. Photo by Liz Roll/FEMA

ABOUT FEMA

The mission of FEMA prioritizes helping people throughout the entire timeline of a disaster and its effects. One of the agency’s main priorities is helping communities to become more resilient to natural or man-made disasters. FEMA works towards disaster response and recovery in emergencies and major disasters. FEMA was first created in 1979 from an executive order administered by President Jimmy Carter and now resides in the Department of Homeland Security. 


North Carolina is located within Region 4 of FEMA’s jurisdiction. To contact FEMA for this region for general information, you can call 770-220-5200 or email FEMA-R4-Info@fema.dhs.gov. To contact the FEMA News Desk in this region, you can call 770-220-5292 or email FEMA-R4-NewsDesk@fema.dhs.gov.

The Individuals and Household Program - Disaster Assistance

SBA Disaster Loan

Other FEMA Assistance Programs

The Individuals and Household Program is intended to assist households after a disaster to support meeting basic needs and recovering from a disaster.  Examples of funding provided through this program include support for temporary housing, home repairs, hazard mitigation assistance, or other needs not met by insurance. 

FEMA only assists with impacts associated with federally declared disasters. Check your eligibility to see if you qualify for this program. 

A timeline and steps for the grant process are located on the FEMA website via this link. Important steps to keep in mind about the grant process:

  • Be sure to take photos of the damage and make a list of what has been damaged before you apply for FEMA assistance. 

  • FEMA only covers damages not covered by other means, such as insurance. If you have insurance, be sure to file a claim with your insurance provider as soon as you can. You then will be able to apply for disaster assistance in one of three different ways: (1) apply online at disasterassistance.gov, (2) apply using the FEMA smartphone app, or (3) by phone at 800-621-3362. 

  • After applying for the program, FEMA may send a home inspector to go and look at the damage. 

  • FEMA will then decide on whether or not they will fund the disaster assistance based on your application and the supplemental documents you may need to provide. 

Another option to pursue if you did not receive direct federal assistance is to apply for a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster assistance loan. To be eligible for this loan, you must be located in a declared disaster area, and depending on the type of the loan, there may be other eligibility requirements that you will need to meet. You can be a homeowner, renter, business of any size, or a private nonprofit organizations can apply for the loan. There are four different types of loans: (1) physical damage loans, (2) mitigation assistance, (3), economic injury disaster loans, (4) military reservist loans. You will need to apply for the assistance loan online where you will also determine your eligibility before you can fill out an application.


There is also a list of other forms of assistance via FEMA that could be beneficial to pursue should there be another issue you are dealing with.