Oct.

19, 2018
DR-4399-FL NR 011
State News Desk: (850) 921-0217

News Release
Understanding Your FEMA Letter
TALLHASSEE, Fla. — Hurricane Michael survivors who applied for disaster assistance will receive a “letter
of eligibility” following an initial application review by FEMA. Survivors should carefully read this letter as
it explains the status of their application, how to respond, the amount of any assistance that FEMA may
provide, and how to appropriately use federal disaster-assistance funds.

Survivors may receive an “ineligible” letter, which may mean additional information is needed to process
their application. Examples of missing documentation include proof of identity, occupancy, or ownership of
the damaged property; proof that the damaged property is a primary residence at the time of the disaster;
proof of insurance coverage and insurance claim settlements.

For questions about eligibility letters, survivors can visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or call the Disaster
Assistance Helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585).

Survivors may also appeal the information in their letter. For instance, if the amount or type of assistance is
incorrect, then a survivor may submit an appeal letter and any documents needed to support their claim.

How to Appeal a Decision

All appeals must be filed in writing to FEMA. In a signed letter, applicants must explain the reason(s) for
their appeal. The appeal letter should also include:

• Full name
• Disaster number
• Address of the pre-disaster primary residence
• Applicant’s current phone number and address
• FEMA registration number
If someone other than the applicant or co-applicant is writing the letter, they must sign the appeal letter, and
the applicant must provide FEMA a signed statement authorizing that the person may act on their behalf.

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Understanding Your FEMA Letter- page 2

Appeal letters must be postmarked within 60 days of receiving the FEMA letter. Appeal letters and
supporting documents may be submitted to FEMA by fax or mail or online if the applicant has a FEMA
online account. To set up a FEMA online account, an applicant must visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov, click
on “check status” and follow the directions.

By mail:
FEMA
P.O. Box 10055
Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055

By fax:
800-827-8112
Attention: FEMA

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FEMA’s mission: Helping people before, during, and after disasters.

For a list of locations where survivors can obtain commodities (water, food, etc.), visit
www.floridadisaster.org/info

For more Hurricane Michael recovery information, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4399.

Follow FEMA and the Florida Division of Emergency Management on Twitter at @FEMARegion4 and
@FLSERT. You may also visit FEMA and the Division’s Facebook pages at Facebook.com/FEMA and
Facebook.com/FloridaSERT.