See also: What You Need to File a Natural Disaster Policy Claim

FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, provides disaster assistance to individuals, families, and businesses in an area whose property has been damaged or destroyed by a natural disaster and whose losses are not fully covered by insurance. It is meant to help with critical expenses that cannot be covered in other ways.

To qualify for assistance from FEMA, your losses must have occurred in an area covered by a disaster declaration. If you have insurance, you must file a claim with your insurance company. Regardless if it is a homeowner’s insurance, flood insurance, or earthquake insurance policy, you must file with your insurance company before contacting FEMA. Failure to file a claim with your insurance company may affect your eligibility for FEMA assistance.

FEMA will schedule an appointment to inspect the damage to your property. During the inspection, you must be present and provide proof of ownership and occupancy to the inspector. If you cannot be present, you may designate someone (over the age of 18) to meet with the inspector on your behalf. You may also be asked to sign a form that authorizes this individual to meet with the inspector.

Within about 10 days after the inspector’s visit, FEMA will decide if you qualify for an assistance grant. If you qualify, FEMA will send you a check and a letter describing how you are to use the money. You are required to use the money only as explained in the letter. If you do not use the money as explained by FEMA, you may not be eligible for any additional help and may have to refund the money.

Before beginning any repairs, check with your local building department to find out what local permits or inspections are required, as well as any building code upgrades since the time your home was originally built.

For more details on how to file a claim with FEMA, go to www.fema.gov.

More FREE homeowner's insurance advice:

• What Natural Disasters Does My Homeowner’s Insurance Cover?
• 10 Homeowner’s Insurance Policy Tips
• Natural Disasters Not Covered in a Standard Policy
• How to File a Homeowner's Insurance Claim
• What You Need to File a Natural Disaster Policy Claim

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