What is FEMA?

FEMA is the “Federal Emergency Management Agency,” which steps in to manage and coordinate many government assistance programs after the President declares a federal disaster area. On October 27, 2003, President Bush declared Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura Counties as federal disaster areas.

What does FEMA do?

FEMA is the starting point for the Disaster Housing Assistance Program (which includes the Rental Assistance, Transient Accommodation, Home Repair Assistance, and Mortgage and Rental Assistance programs), special loans from the SBA or the Farm Service Agency, special grants from the Cora Brown Fund, or assistance from many other government-run organizations, including those under the umbrella of the Other Needs Assistance (“ONA”) Program. FEMA also sponsors crisis counseling, disaster legal services, and financial recovery planning. At FEMA’s local assistance and disaster recovery centers, you can talk directly to representatives of state and volunteer agencies and get help with insurance questions.

Am I eligible for assistance from FEMA?

If you experienced a loss in one of the five counties on or after October 21, 2003 as a result of the Southern California wildfires, you may be eligible for assistance through FEMA. You should register with FEMA as quickly as possible. (You do not necessarily have to live in one of these counties to be eligible for FEMA’s programs, but the loss must have been caused by a fire there.) The various programs that FEMA coordinates have different eligibility criteria, and usually you only can receive assistance under one housing program at a time. FEMA will determine your eligibility for the various programs after you register.

How do I register with FEMA?

The easiest way to register with FEMA is to call (800) 621-FEMA (3362) Monday – Friday between 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. For the speech- or hearing-impaired, call TTY: (800) 462-7585. Be prepared to give the FEMA representative the following information:

  • your name;
  • your Social Security number;
  • any applicable insurance information;
  • a description of your losses; and
  • a phone number where you can be reached.

You can also register at one of FEMA’s local assistance centers or disaster recovery centers. For information on locations of these centers, see “Local Assistance & Disaster Recovery Centers."

How will FEMA process my request for help?

At the time of registration, the FEMA representative will give you a control number. This number is very important for referencing your case, so please keep it handy. It is also a good idea to keep the name of the person who registered you, in case any problem with your paperwork arises.

FEMA may then refer you to the SBA, which offers special loans to disaster victims. (It does not matter whether you own a small business or not.) If you are referred to the SBA, YOU MUST COMPLETE AND SEND IN YOUR SBA LOAN APPLICATION, EVEN IF YOU DO NOT THINK YOU WILL QUALIFY FOR A LOAN. The SBA serves as a gatekeeper to other government-run programs. Unless you send in your application and fail to qualify for an SBA loan (or a large enough loan to meet your needs), your application will not be passed on to the ONA Programs, and you may not be eligible for additional assistance from other programs.

If you have requested help from FEMA because of damage to your home, FEMA will send an inspector to look at the damage. The FEMA inspection is FREE. Do not let anyone charge you for an “inspection service.” Request ID from the inspector, and request a copy of his or her inspection report.

You do not need to wait until the inspection to begin cleaning and repairing the property, but you should document the damage by taking pictures. (Video is good, too!) If possible, save damaged items.

You should be prepared to meet with the inspector on short notice. If you are not available for the inspection, your application may be withdrawn. Be prepared to supply the inspector with several pieces of information:

  • valid identification;
  • proof of home ownership or tenancy;
  • proof of damages to your primary residence;
  • receipts for expenses you have incurred because of the fires; and
  • photos of your property before you began repairs.

You will also need to sign the disaster application and a declaration that you are a citizen, a national, a resident alien, or otherwise lawfully present in the U.S. See pages 46-48 for further discussion of immigration issues.

The FEMA inspector will complete a report and transmit it to FEMA’s National Processing Servicing Center (NPSC). The NPSC will review the information and decide whether you qualify for assistance. (In the interim, the NPSC may ask you for additional records, such as insurance papers, a copy of title, pay stubs, or repair estimates.) FEMA will mail you a notice of its decision.

Are there any application deadlines of which I need to be aware?

Yes, there are important application deadlines that you must meet (unless specifically extended by FEMA), each of which is calculated from the date (October 27, 2003) the President declared the five counties as disaster areas, as follows:

  • Rental Assistance: December 26, 2003 (90 days from October 27)
  • Mortgage and Rental Assistance: April 27, 2004 (6 months from October 27)
  • Home Repair Assistance: December 26, 2003
  • ONA programs: December 26, 2003
  • Disaster Unemployment Assistance: November 26, 2003.

If I am denied assistance by FEMA, how long do I have to appeal that decision?

Appeals from FEMA’s decisions regarding the Rental Assistance, Mortgage and Rental Assistance, and Home Repair Assistance programs are due within 60 days of the date on FEMA’s notice of decision.

Where can I find more information about FEMA’s programs for wildfire victims?

If you have questions specifically about FEMA’s programs for victims of the wildfires, you may want to call a hotline established by the Young Lawyers’ Division of the American Bar Association at (800) 310-7029. Additionally, if you have internet access, you can review FEMA’s website at www.fema.gov or its California wildfire pages at www.fema.gov/news/event.fema?id=2543.