FEMA Individual Assistance
This page is intended to assist individuals, homeowners, and renters in Delaware following a disaster. If you are a government entity or private non-profit, see our Public Assistance section.
Following a major disaster event, the Governor can request a preliminary damage assessment of impacted areas.
FEMA works with state and local officials and uses damage assessments and data collected from homeowners through the Damage Reporting Tool to determine if the severity of impact is beyond the state's capabilities to recover.
If FEMA determines that thresholds are met, a Presidential Disaster Declaration (PDD) may be declared. Depending on the extent of a disaster, a PDD could take weeks to receive.
The data collected from reports of damaged homes, businesses, and infrastructure is crucial to receive a Presidential Disaster Declaration.
Quick Links
- Damage Reporting Tool (homeowners and renters)
Reporting damages could assist emergency officials obtain funds for disaster survivors as well as connect survivors to recovery resources. - U. S. Small Business Administration (businesses, homeowners, and renters)
Low-interest loans for disaster victims.
Program Overview
A Presidential Disaster Declaration activates an array of federal programs to assist in response and recovery efforts, such as FEMA's Individual Assistance Program. This program may provide financial and direct assistance to eligible individuals, families, and businesses in a designated disaster area who have sustained losses due to a Presidentially Declared Disaster and whose losses are not covered by insurance.
- This program is not intended to restore damaged property to their original condition before the disaster.
- Federal assistance cannot duplicate benefits provided by other sources, such as insurance, and cannot pay for all losses caused by a disaster.
- Not all disasters qualify.
U.S. Small Business Administration
In addition to applying for FEMA assistance, people, businesses, and non-profits have the option to apply for a low-interest disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration during recovery.
- How the U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Loans Work with FEMA Disaster Assistance
- FEMA/U.S. Small Business Administration Quick Reference Guide
How to Apply
After a disaster, the federal government determines if any county in the state meets the criteria for FEMA's Individual Assistance program.
If your county is authorized, apply using these three steps:
Familiarize Yourself With Disaster Assistance
Before you apply for assistance, make sure that you have the following information available:
- Current and pre-disaster addresses
- Current phone number
- Social Security number
- Insurance information (home, health, automobile, etc.)
- Description of losses
- Bank account and routing information
Apply for Assistance:
Applying for assistance does not obligate an individual to officially accept assistance. Property owners or tenants are encouraged to apply with FEMA as soon as possible after a disaster. Although you may not have any immediate expenses that are not covered by insurance, as cleanup and repairs are done, additional or unexpected damages may be discovered.
- Online: Visit DisasterAssistance.gov.
- Mobile App: Download the FEMA mobile app at: m.fema.gov.
- Phone: Call (800) 621-336 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., 7 days a week. (TTY (800) 462-7585)
Write Down Your Claim Number
At the end of the registration process, you will be given a claim number. Write this number down and store it in a safe place that is easily accessible. You will need your claim number for any future inquiries you make.
Each claim is reviewed on an individual basis and FEMA decides if the request qualifies to receive federal assistance (Example: damages to second homes do not qualify).
Even if an individual does not qualify for payment from the federal government, there are other FEMA programs that may be able to help an applicant.
Wait for FEMA to Call
Be sure to answer your phone.
Once your application has been submitted, FEMA will reach out using the phone number you provided. Please keep in mind that FEMA may contact you from an out-of-state or non-local number.
