FEMA Appeal Process Information

Editors Note: Below is from FEMA, before you start reading be sure to search this FEMA section using the word "Appeal" to find additional information on different appeals. Some very important things to keep in mind. Time is short, file your appeal as soon as possible and always make your appeal rock solid with supporting documents. You have 60 days, it will say from the date of the letter. Most of you either opted to have the letter emailed or text to your phone. Don't wait for the US Mail on your appeals letter, login to your account and print it yourself. Now, I have seen appeals filed as late as 6 months and I know the appeal total time span within FEMA is 12 months. But after 12 months FEMA people tell me the system locks out any new appeals. If you have supporting documents that are going to take more than 60 days I would like for you to file your appeal and make a note that your supporting documents will be sent as soon as you get them. Be sure to explain what they are and why they are not in with your first appeal. (Yes, I said first) If FEMA denies your appeal because of missing documents or you feel you would win your appeal with the documents you will then file your 2nd and last appeal once you get your documents. Be sure your 2nd and last appeal is filed no later than 6 months after your denial letter.

Read how FEMA words the appeal process below.

If you disagree with FEMA's decision, you have 60 days from the date on your decision letter to submit a written appeal. Your Appeal letter should include an explanation as to why you feel FEMA's decision is wrong and new or additional information about the specific category of assistance you are appealing. Your appeal letter will help the Appeals Officer better understand the situation.

Calling the Helpline does not constitute an Appeal. You must send a written Appeal letter to initiate an Appeal. FEMA will review your Appeal letter and make a ruling as soon as possible, usually within 30 days of receiving your request. You will be notified in writing of our decision.

When sending documentation to FEMA, please be sure to include your full name, date and place of birth, address, disaster number and Registration ID number (found on the top right hand corner of the screen) on each page of your correspondence.

In addition, your letter must be either notarized, include a copy of a state issued identification card, or include the following statement, "I hereby declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct." You must sign the letter. If someone other than you or the co-applicant is writing the letter, then a statement must be included saying that that person may act for you.

Please send written correspondence to:

FEMA
P.O. Box 10055
Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055

You may Fax your request to:
1-800-827-8112

The following list contains helpful information about what documentation you will need to submit to FEMA for an appeal. Selecting an item from the list will take you directly to the information for that item or you can view the entire document.

For disaster related DENTAL expenses, you will need to provide one or more of the following documents.

• A verifiable statement from the dental provider(s) which verifies the date of the dental injury occurred and if the injury is disaster related.
• A verifiable itemized bill/receipt from the provider(s) including the name, address, phone number and the date of service. If prescription medication has been lost or the treating physician has prescribed prescription medication, you will need to provide a verifiable physician's statement stating your condition requires the medication, and receipts from a pharmacy showing the cost of the medication.
• Name, address, telephone number and policy number of your medical/health insurance carrier including Medicaid, Medicare and Veterans Administration Benefits. A claim must be filed with your insurance carrier before submitting it to FEMA for consideration. (FEMA cannot duplicate benefits payable from your insurance company)
• You must submit either the written denial from your insurance carrier, or the explanation of benefits statement(s) for the amount which they have covered. If you are Not covered by any health/medical insurance, please sign and date the Statement of Insurance form and return it to FEMA

For disaster related HOME REPAIR assistance, you will need to provide one or more of the following documents, dated prior to the disaster and indicating the physical street address of the damaged dwelling.

• A written description of previously unidentified disaster related damages
• Verifiable itemized estimates from a licensed contractor(s) to show the cost for repair or replacement of disaster related structural damage.
• Store receipts for building materials.

For a denial due to INSURANCE coverage, you will need to provide one or more of the following documents. The documentation submitted must contain the address of the damaged property and show that you filed a claim for damages to your home or personal property that occurred during the federally declared disaster incident period.

• A verifiable copy of your insurance denial letter.
• A verifiable copy of an itemized insurance settlement worksheet or a Proof of Loss statement.
• A verifiable statement or letter from your insurance company stating that you have no Loss of Use coverage or that the amount of this coverage is inadequate or exhausted.

For disaster related MEDICAL expenses, you will need to provide one or more of the following documents.

• A verifiable statement from the medical provider(s) which indicates the date the medical injury or illness occurred and if it is disaster related.
• A verifiable itemized bill/receipt from the provider(s) including the name, address, phone number and the date of service.
• If prescription medication has been lost or the treating physician has prescribed prescription medication, you will need to provide a verifiable physician's statement stating your condition requires the medication, and receipts from a pharmacy showing the cost of the medication.
• Name, address, telephone number and policy number of your medical/health insurance carrier including Medicaid, Medicare and Veterans Administration Benefits.
  NOTE: A claim must be filed with your insurance carrier before submitting it to FEMA for consideration. (FEMA cannot duplicate benefits payable from your insurance company)
• If insured, you must submit either the written denial from your insurance carrier, or the explanation of benefits statement(s) for the amount they have covered.
• If you are not covered by any health/medical insurance, please sign and date the Statement of Insurance form and return it to FEMA.

For disaster related MOVING and STORAGE expenses, you will need to provide one or more of the following documents.

• Documentation of why the moving and storage expense was necessary.
• Date(s) for the moving and storage, provide telephone number and address of the storage facility used and furnish a copy of the receipts or lease of the storage unit.
• If essential personal property was damaged or lost in a storage unit, furnish an itemized list of losses and a written statement of why and how long the essential personal property had been stored at the time of the disaster.
• Signed 009-0-3

For proof of OCCUPANCY of the damaged dwelling you will need to provide one or more of the following documents. The documentation must be dated prior to the disaster and indicate the physical street address of the damaged dwelling. You must prove occupancy of the damaged dwelling in order to receive home repair, rental assistance, personal property or other miscellaneous items.

• Utility bill
• Merchants statement (credit card bill)
• Copy of Federal or State Tax return
• Employer's statement
• Official's statement (postmaster)
• Copy of driver's license
• Statement/letter from your landlord
• Voter's registration

For disaster related OTHER MISCELLANEOUS expenses, you will need to provide one or more of the following documents indicating the location at the physical street address of the damaged dwelling. Miscellaneous Purchases are those services or items purchased for recovery efforts usually immediately following the disaster.

Example: dehumidifier, chainsaw, wet-dry vac.

• Documentation outlining what "Other" expenses you have incurred as a result of the disaster
• Documentation of why these expenses were required
• Verifiable estimates or itemized bills signed by the person providing the services
• Verification of occupancy at the damaged dwelling

For proof of OWNERSHIP of the damaged dwelling, you will need to provide one or more of the following documents. The documentation submitted must be dated prior to the disaster and indicate the physical street address of the damaged dwelling. You must prove ownership of the damaged dwelling in order to receive structural repair assistance.

• Deed or Official Record - original deed or deed of trust to the property
• Verification of Structural Insurance Coverage
• Mortgage Payment Statement/Book - mortgage payment statement/book, late notice or foreclosure notice
• Tax receipts or a property tax bill
• Title - the actual escrow or title document for the purchase of the dwelling
• Real Estate Proviso - an amendment to the title or to the deed that documents rent-free ownership which has been filed at the county courthouse
• Land Installment contract / Contract for deed
• Quitclaim Deed - sometimes referred to as the quick claim deed, this document conveys all ownership rights to another co-owner of a property, this document must be recorded at the courthouse to be valid
• Death Certificate/Will - if the home is titled or deeded to a deceased relative, a will naming the applicant as the heir to the property and verification of death would satisfy as proof of ownership
• Maintenance receipts - major maintenance receipts which pre-date the incident period

NOTE: Lease/Purchase, or a Rent to Own agreement, does not serve as proof of ownership.

For disaster related PERSONAL PROPERTY loss, you will need to provide one or more of the following documents identifying the property located at the physical street address of the damaged dwelling.

• A service dealership or repairman receipt, estimate or statement of disaster related damage to appliances or furniture
• Merchandise receipts to show replacement of damaged property
• If applicable, a verifiable landlord's statement of the damages to the dwelling to show justification for personal property loss

For disaster related TRANSPORTATION loss, you will need to provide one or more of the following documents.

• Copy of title for damaged vehicle(s)
• Copy of current registration card for damaged vehicle(s)
• List of all owned vehicle(s) with the year, make and model and a brief description of the damages and whether or not all or any of the vehicles are drivable
• Verification of vehicle(s) expenses, a verifiable estimate or bill from a licensed mechanic verifying the repair cost and verifying that the damage is disaster related, include the name of the mechanic and company name, address and telephone number
• Verification of comprehensive insurance coverage settlement or statement from you stating insurance coverage does not exist
• Verification of liability insurance coverage or statement from you stating insurance coverage does not exist
• Signed 009-0-3

If you still have questions about what you need to send to FEMA to Appeal a decision you may call the FEMA Helpline number at 1-800-621-3362 or TTY 1-800-462-7585.

If you use a relay service (a videophone, InnoCaption, CapTel, etc.), please provide your number assigned to that service. FEMA must be able to contact you. Be aware that phone calls from FEMA may appear to come from an unidentified number.

Please have your Registration ID number and Social Security Number available when calling.