Who Can Get Fema Assistance? 

Release Date: November 6, 2004
Release Number: 1539-258

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ORLANDO, Fla. -- Non-citizens who suffered damages in recent hurricanes may be eligible for assistance from a variety of sources, recovery officials reminded today.

To qualify for federal monetary assistance, an applicant must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or a "qualified alien," which is defined below.

However, undocumented aliens may qualify for other disaster relief programs such as crisis counseling, disaster legal services, and other short-term non-cash emergency aid.

In addition, if the family has a child who is a U.S. citizen, they can apply on behalf of the child or on behalf of any other adult member of the household who may qualify. FEMA will not ask for information about immigration status.

Even if they do not qualify for federal aid, applicants can call FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) to be referred to programs run by state and local agencies, or volunteer agencies, that can help regardless of immigration status.

Assistance programs are offered by the American Red Cross, Catholic Charities Farmworkers' Ministry, Lutheran Services of Florida, and many other charities. The Red Cross has a Spanish and English language number, 1-866-438-4636, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Farmworkers' Ministry number for Spanish and English is 1-386-698-4234, available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays. For Lutheran Services of Florida, the number is 1-800-651-1853, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. A "qualified alien" includes anyone granted: legal permanent residence (green card holders); asylum; refugee status; withholding of deportation; conditional entry; or parole into the United States for at least one year. It also includes Cuban-Haitian entrants, or a battered spouse (or child) with a pending or approved spousal petition or petition for relief.

On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages Citizen Corps, the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.

Last Modified: Monday, 08-Nov-2004 11:46:56