How do I appeal a FEMA decision?

If you applied for FEMA disaster assistance and disagree with FEMA's decision, you may appeal the decision. Appealing means asking FEMA to look at your case again.

What is a FEMA decision letter?

After you apply for FEMA help, FEMA sends you a decision letter. This letter tells you:

Whether you were approved or denied
The type of help you qualify for
How much money you will get, if any
The reason for any denial or reduction in benefits

A denial doesn't always mean you can't get help. Sometimes FEMA just needs more information or paperwork before it can decide.

Why was my application denied?

FEMA may deny or limit your help for reasons like:

Your insurance already covers the damage
The damage doesn't meet FEMA's rules for getting help
FEMA can't confirm you owned or lived in the property
FEMA decides the damage wasn't caused by the disaster
The damaged property is a vacation or second home, not the home you live in most of the time

Read your decision letter closely. It will tell you the reason for FEMA's decision.

Can I appeal a FEMA decision?

Yes. You may want to appeal if FEMA:

Denied your application
Gave you less help than you think you should get
Decided your damage wasn't related to the disaster
Said you don't qualify for a certain type of help
Made any other decision you think is wrong

Important deadline: You have 60 days from the date you receive FEMA's decision letter to send in your appeal.

How do I appeal FEMA's decision?

To appeal, send documents that address the reason FEMA denied or limited your help. The documents you need depend on your situation.

Read your FEMA decision letter closely, then send any information that supports your request for FEMA to reconsider. Helpful documents can include:

Repair estimates
Contractor estimates
Receipts

You can send your appeal documents in a few ways:

Upload them to your account at DisasterAssistance.gov
Visit a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center
Mail them to: FEMA – Individuals & Households Program National Processing Service Center P.O. Box 10055 Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055
Fax them to FEMA at 800-827-8112

You don't have to write an appeal letter or use FEMA's appeal form, but doing so can help. It gives you a clear place to explain why you disagree and how your documents address FEMA's concerns.

What happens after I submit an appeal?

Once FEMA gets your appeal, a caseworker reviews your application, your appeal letter, and your documents.

If FEMA needs more information, it may:

Call you and send you a letter
Contact someone else, like a contractor, to check the information you sent
Schedule an appeal inspection (someone visits or reviews your property again)

FEMA has 90 days after getting your appeal to send you a written decision.

Need help with a FEMA appeal?

You may be able to get free legal help understanding a FEMA decision or preparing an appeal through FEMA's Disaster Legal Services Program or a local legal aid organization.

LawHelp Interactive also has a free self-help tool to help you write a FEMA appeal letter.