FEMA Appeals

If FEMA denies your application and you think the decision is wrong, you can appeal. An appeal is a written request asking FEMA to look at your application again.

You must send your appeal within 60 days of the date on FEMA’s decision letter. Read the letter carefully so you understand why FEMA denied your claim. You may want to talk with an attorney or legal aid before filing an appeal.

You can file your FEMA appeal several different ways:

• In person at a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). To locate DRCs in your area, visit https://egateway.fema.gov/ESF6/DRCLocator
• Online, if you set up an online account when you filed your application:  DisasterAssistance.gov.
• By mail at

      FEMA - Individuals & Households Program National Processing Service Center
      P.O. Box 10055
      Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055

NOTE: If you mail in your appeal, it must be postmarked within 60 days of the date noted on your FEMA letter.

• By fax: (800) 827-8112
  Attention: FEMA - Individuals & Households Program

You can use the FEMA Appeal Request link

OR

You can use the sample letter attached here.

Be sure you answer every question you are asked. You must include your FEMA application number and disaster number on every page of the FEMA Appeal Letter.

You will probably also be asked to submit additional information with your appeal.  For example, if you are appealing for additional assistance to help repair your home, you will want to provide FEMA with any receipts, bills or repair estimates received for the repairs needed to your home as a result of the disaster.

Decisions are usually made within 30 days of receiving the appeal, however, it may take up to 90 days for a decision. Additional information may be requested from you if FEMA does not have enough information to make a decision.

You will be notified in writing of the response to your appeal, either by mail or via the DisasterAssistance.gov account you created when you applied with FEMA.

Be sure to keep FEMA up-to-date on the address when you receive mail and your current phone number.

Even if you had damage, FEMA may deny your application if:

• You cannot prove that you own or live in the home
• You do not have proper identification
• FEMA could not reach you to schedule an inspection
• FEMA believes there may be fraud

If you need help with your FEMA appeal letter, contact your local legal aid program.

Yes. If FEMA gave you some money but not enough, you may appeal and ask for more. If you are asking for more money for home repairs, FEMA requires you to include written repair estimates from a contractor. These estimates help show how much the repairs will really cost.

No. FEMA’s goal is to help make your home safe and livable, not to restore it to how it was like before the disaster.