The purpose of this page is to inform survivors of the eligibility for disaster assistance funding and services from FEMA as well as other State, community, and private organizations.
Please refer to the following resources to help you recover from recent disasters or visit FEMA for a complete list of disaster support services.
Registering for Disaster Assistance
We urge you to register for FEMA assistance to gain access to a number of important resources. FEMA can provide additional information and assistance for losses not covered by insurance, including temporary housing and repair assistance. To register, call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)/1-800-462-7585 (TTY) or visit Apply for Assistance.
Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC). Visit a local DRC to receive more information on State, local, federal, and voluntary agencies that may be able to assist you. Find a Disaster Recovery Center near you.
Once you are registered for disaster assistance, you may be eligible for:
Temporary Housing Assistance:
- Money is available to rent a different place to live, or a government provided housing unit may be provided when rental resources are not available.
- The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), at the request of the State of Texas, will activate its transitional sheltering initiative to allow eligible Ike evacuees from Texas, who cannot return to their homes, to stay in hotels or motels until it is safe for them go home.
- FEMA will pay for the lodging directly to hotels and motels. A listing of participating hotels is available online at FEMA Evacuee Hotel List.
Home Repair:
- Money is available to homeowners to repair damage from the disaster to their primary residence that is not covered by insurance. The goal is to make the damaged home safe, sanitary, and functional.
Home Replacement:
- Money is available to homeowners to replace their home destroyed in the disaster that is not covered by insurance. The goal is to help the homeowner with the cost of replacing their destroyed home.
Permanent Housing Construction:
- Direct assistance or money for the construction of a home. This type of help occurs only in insular areas or remote locations specified by FEMA, where no other type of housing assistance is possible.
Additional Financial Assistance:
- Money is available for necessary expenses and serious needs caused by the disaster. This includes medical, dental, funeral, personal property, transportation, moving and storage, and other expenses that are authorized by law.
FEMA Resources
Flood Insurance - Filing Your Insurance Claim. If you have insurance, it’s important to call your agent or insurance company as soon as possible to begin the claims process. For additional information:
- Review the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Flood Insurance Claims Handbook. It provides additional help with the process of filing a claim.
- Call 1-800-427-4661 to talk with a National Flood Insurance Program insurance specialist if you are unable to locate important policy information or need help contacting your insurance company.
National Emergency Family Registry and Locator System
- FEMA’s National Emergency Family Registry and Locator System (NEFRLS) is activated following a Presidentially declared disaster to reunite families that have become separated as a result of the disaster. Individuals and families can register online at FEMA.gov. or by phone at 1-800-588-9822, 24-hours a day, when activated.
Other Government Agency Resources
Department of Justice: Members of the public can call the DOJ's Disaster Fraud Hotline to report fraud, waste, abuse or allegations of mismanagement involving disaster relief operations.
- Disaster Fraud Hotline at 1-866-720-5721
- Disaster Fraud Fax at 1-225-334-4707
- Disaster Fraud e-mail at disaster@leo.gov.
- Individuals can also report criminal activity to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Small Business Administration: After you register with FEMA, you may be referred to the SBA for information about a low-interest loan. The SBA is the primary source of federal funds for long-term recovery assistance. The SBA has loan officers in the Disaster Recovery Centers to provide assistance in filling out your SBA application and explaining the program. Visit Small Business Administration for more information.
Department of Agriculture-Food Stamp Assistance: You may be eligible to receive disaster flood stamp assistance through the state. Visit USDA food and nutrition service for more information about food stamps.
American Red Cross
Contact the American Red Cross (ARC) if you have immediate emergency needs for food, clothing, shelter, or medical care.
- Call 1-866-438-4636 to talk to a Red Cross Representative.
- Additional information on ARC activities, service delivery and guidance can be found on their website.
Links to Charitable Organizations
Aidmatrix Network
This portal is designed to make it as easy to offer financial support, product donations, or to donate your skills and time to nonprofit organizations active in disaster relief.
Network for Good
Lists many charitable organizations helping victims in the areas of long-term recovery, health, child and family services, and animal care.
Habitat for Humanity or call 1-800-HABITAT
Volunteers of America or call 1-800-899-0089
Catholic Charities USA
"Need Assistance? Find your Local Agency." Enter your zip code to find your local Catholic Charities office.
Humane Society
National hotline for reporting lost pets, 1-800-HUMANE or 1-800-486-2631.
Click on "Animal Emergency Response Network" to search reports of found, rescued, and sheltered pets in the areas affected by the disaster. PetFinder
Feeding America
"Find your Local Program" - type in your zip code to find you local food bank.
1-800-771-2303.