alternative housing that is appropriate in size and cost was unavailable or that their good faith search did not general a rental agreement. Homeowners working on repair of their home will be more likely to be recertified by showing that they expect their home repairs to take an additional specified number of months to be completed. Homeowners expecting to participate in the FEMA buy-out program, discussed in the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program section, are likely to be able to receive continuing assistance by showing documentation of program participation. Homeowners planning to become renters on a permanent basis are more likely to have their recertification applications reviewed like those of pre-disaster tenants.
In addition to documenting efforts to obtain permanent housing, the applicant for
rental recertification must submit rent receipts showing that they have exhausted FEMA rent funds already received and provide documentation of continuing need. FEMA always demands a written lease, so renters should insist on obtaining one from their landlord. FEMA is most likely to cover rent payments only, not utilities, so it is in tenants best interests to secure apartments that include utilities in the monthly rental charge.
With each notice of rental assistance issued by FEMA, the applicant will receive a
rental recertification form, included here in the Appendix. Applicants for continuing assistance must submit that form with all supporting documentation within 90 days of the receipt of the notice. Failure to do so may result in the loss of ongoing assistance.
Recordkeeping Requirements FEMA randomly audits approximately 1% of all benefit recipients and may target
certain applicants for audits based on particular criteria that are not publicly known. Where the applicant cannot demonstrate that benefits were spent on the housing expenses or other needs allowed by FEMA, the applicant’s benefits may be recouped by the agency. For that reason, recipients must save documentation of disaster-related expenses for at least three years. If FEMA determines that recoupment of benefits is appropriate, the recipient may submit an appeal, request a payment plan or compromise, or both. The FEMA Disaster Recoupment Fairness Act of 2011, P.L. 112-74 (2011), which allows for equitable waivers of recoupment, does not apply to disasters that occurred after December 31, 2010.
Frequently Asked FEMA-Related Questions
1. My vacation/second home was damaged. Can I get any help? Damages to a secondary or vacation home are not eligible under FEMA’s disaster assistance program. However, if you own a secondary home that is rented out or occupied by a family member, you may be eligible for assistance from the Small Business Administration. Further, in certain circumstances, your town may opt to apply for funding through the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to purchase your vacation/second home for 75% of its pre-disaster value.
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