FEMA Applications

If you have been affected by a federally declared disaster, you may qualify for disaster assistance through FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program. You should apply to FEMA as soon after the disaster as possible, and generally, you must apply within 60 days of the disaster.

FEMA can provide money for home repairs; temporary rental assistance; medical, dental and funeral expenses; vehicle repair or replacement; repair or replacement of essential household items; and other essential expenses related to the disaster.

To apply for FEMA assistance, you can:

• Go to www.DisasterAssistance.gov
• Call 1-800-621-3362 or TTY 1-800-462-7585
• Apply in person at a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center

FEMA will send you a letter either approving or denying your request. If you are approved, FEMA will send you a letter explaining the purpose of the money. It is important that you only use FEMA money for its intended purpose. For instance, if FEMA’s letter explains that funding is intended for home repair, you should not spend it on rent or food. FEMA may provide you with money for more than one purpose at the same time.

You should save receipts showing how you spent the money for at least three years after you receive it. FEMA may ask you for proof that the money was spent as intended. If you receive money for home repair, but it is not enough to complete all repairs on your home, you should keep your receipts until all repairs are completed so that you can show proof of how you spent the FEMA money to any other organizations assisting you.

If you are unable to use the funding for the intended purpose, you should return it to FEMA. If you spend the money for another purpose, you may be required to repay FEMA in the future.

If FEMA approves you for rental assistance, you will receive two months’ rent upfront, which you may also use to pay a security deposit and your first month’s rent. If you need continuing rental assistance after that, you will need to turn in additional documentation to FEMA, including a copy of your lease and information about your income and expenses.

FEMA Home Repair Assistance

If your home was damaged by a major disaster, you may be eligible for repair assistance from FEMA. FEMA repair assistance is only intended to help you with basic repairs to make it safe to return to your home. FEMA is not intended to assist with all repairs or result in your home returning to its pre-disaster condition.

FEMA also expects that you will soon return to your home and take steps to prevent further damage. For instance, if you have a hole in your roof, FEMA expects that you will place a tarp over it to prevent interior damage to your home.

You may be eligible for home repair assistance if:

• You or a household member is a U.S. citizen, non‐citizen national, or qualified alien
• Your home is in a declared disaster area
• You own your home
• Your home is uninhabitable or inaccessible due to the disaster
• Your home is not covered by insurance, or your insurance does not cover your damage
• You were occupying your home as your primary residence at the time of the disaster

You may NOT be eligible if:

• You have other, adequate, rent-free housing available
• You refused assistance from your insurance
• You were required to maintain flood insurance after a previous disaster, but did not do so

Common issues that can cause FEMA to deny a homeowner’s claim include proving ownership and proving that the disaster has caused so much damage to the home that it is not currently habitable.

If FEMA denies your application for assistance or does not grant you enough money for your needs, you have 60 days to appeal. You can appeal on your own, or Legal Aid NC or another attorney can help you with your appeal.

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If your rental home is destroyed or so badly damaged by a natural disaster that it is not sanitary or safe for you to live in, North Carolina law gives you the right to cancel your lease within 10 days of the date of the damage. You must give the owner or manager written notice of your intent to cancel the lease. You will be required to pay any rent currently due.

Your landlord may also end your lease if the damage is too severe for the landlord to repair. If this happens, your landlord must give you notice as required by your lease. If your lease does not state how much notice is required to end the lease, the amount of time is set by law. For example, on a month-to-month lease, the landlord must provide at least one week’s notice before the end of your lease.

If you continue to live in the home, the landlord is required to make repairs to make the home safe, decent and sanitary. The landlord must do this within a reasonable time. However, the repairs are only legally required if the landlord is aware of the damage. Make sure you inform the landlord about needed repairs right away, and that you keep a record of the date and your conversation. It is best to make your repair requests in writing, which may include handwritten, email, text message, or social media message.

If you have to move out while repairs are being made, you are not required to pay rent for the time that you are not living in the home. You will typically be responsible for your living expenses, including rent elsewhere, while repairs are being made. FEMA may be able to assist you with rental costs while you are displaced.

Your landlord can evict you for failing to pay rent that is due, even if you have been affected by a disaster. If you are unable to stay in the home or unable to pay your rent, you should stay in contact with your landlord to explain your situation and try to reach an agreement.

In general, your landlord is not responsible for damage to your belongings caused by the natural disaster. If you have renter’s insurance for your property, you should file a claim. You should also take pictures of all damaged property.

If you want to move due to damage to your home, or if your landlord continues to charge you rent without completing repairs, we recommend that you contact an attorney to ensure that your rights are protected. You can call the Legal Aid NC helpline to learn if you can get free assistance.

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It is best to…

• Ask for an official ID from anyone claiming to be from the government, power company or insurance company.
• Contact your insurance company first if your property has been damaged by a disaster. Some insurance companies require the adjuster’s approval before work can be done.
• Shop around and compare estimates for any major repairs. Legitimate contractors will also provide written estimates for home repairs.
• Avoid sharing personal information, such as social security numbers or bank account numbers, with anyone who contacts you first. If someone contacts you claiming to be from a government agency or organization, look up the number for that organization online and call to verify that the person is really an employee.
• Remember that you should not be asked to pay to file any disaster assistance applications.

When hiring a contractor…

• Beware of contractors who knock on your door offering services because they noticed your home is damaged or are already working in your area. This is a common tactic of scam artists.
• FEMA does not approve, endorse, certify, or recommend any contractors, individuals, or firms.
• Do not hire a contractor who does not have a physical address or refuses to show ID.
• Use a contractor who is backed by reliable references. The most reputable contractors have liability insurance, workers’ compensation and are bonded.
• Perform a quick Google search before hiring any contractor. Do they have a website? Have they scammed previous clients? Read any reviews.
• Get a copy of your contract in writing from the contractor that includes the work to be done and, ideally, a completion date.
• Check credentials with the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors. Any contractor taking jobs costing $30,000 is required to be licensed in North Carolina.
• You may wish to request a copy of your contractor’s Certificate of Insurance before they begin work, to ensure that the contractor is legitimate and that you will be covered if the contractor causes any damage to your home.

When making a payment…

• Be cautious about paying contractors before they begin work. If possible, wait until the work is finished and you are satisfied before paying. Reputable contractors generally do not expect customers to pay the entire price upfront.
• Pay contractors by credit card if you can, so that you can request a chargeback from your credit card company if they fail to do the work or if the work is unsatisfactory.
• If you cannot pay by credit card, pay by check or get a written receipt from the contractor – anything to keep a paper trail proving your payments.

If you have been affected by a scam or fraud, you should contact the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office at 1-877-566-7226. Under many circumstances, scams and frauds are a crime. You may wish to contact local law enforcement. You can also contact an attorney to assist you. Call Legal Aid NC to learn if you qualify for free help.

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Legal Aid of North Carolina’s Disaster Relief Project helps promote the longevity and professionalism of local long-term recovery work. Legal Aid attorneys assist groups with 501(c)(3) non-profit incorporation, draft of legal documents, and provide general guidance as the groups seek to navigate the disaster relief ecosystem. Our goal is to allow the groups to focus on what they do best: helping the community recover. 

If you are a long-term recovery or community group and would like to learn if we can assist you, call the Legal Aid helpline at 866-219-5262. 

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