PHILADELPHIA, PA — The period of FEMA disaster assistance for Hurricane Ida survivors in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will close on March 10, 2023. Under FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program, disaster assistance, including Continued Temporary Housing Assistance for rent and Home Repair Assistance, is limited to 18 months following the date of the Presidential disaster declaration. The Hurricane Ida disaster in Pennsylvania (DR-4618-PA) was declared on September 10, 2021. Therefore, if you applied for FEMA Individual Assistance following Hurricane Ida, your opportunity to receive additional assistance, if eligible, or to appeal the denial of assistance, ends on March 10, 2023. Be sure to submit all final requests, required documentation, and/or appeal letters before then.
Appealing FEMA’s Eligibility Determination
If you applied for assistance and don’t agree with FEMA’s decision or have new information relevant to your application, you can generally appeal.
FEMA sends letters of determination to applicants who provide incomplete information. Maybe you didn’t show proof of identity, verification of homeownership, or documentation that you lived in your home before Hurricane Ida. By submitting this information, FEMA can reconsider your case.
While most FEMA decisions may be appealed, applicants cannot appeal. These awards are one-time payments for survivors who meet eligibility requirements.
Include Evidence to Support Your Appeal
To appeal a decision, you must understand why FEMA considered the application ineligible or is holding off on a decision. Carefully read your FEMA letter, because it specifies why you are ineligible and recommends actions that may change the decision. Often, the reason is simply a missing document or information. For example, FEMA cannot duplicate benefits from other sources, including insurance. However, if your policy doesn’t cover all your essential needs, or your company denied your claim, you may submit your insurance settlement or denial letter for FEMA to review.
Time Remaining to Send Your FEMA Appeal
One of the most important parts of the appeal process is sending it in on time. Survivors must appeal initial eligibility determinations within 60 days of the date on their eligibility notification letter. Your last chance to submit an appeal for Individual Assistance for Hurricane Ida is March 10, 2023. Keep in mind that after FEMA receives your appeal, you may receive a phone call or a follow-up letter asking for more information.
You can send your appeal by any of these ways:
- Mail: FEMA National Processing Service Center, P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055
- Fax: 1-800-827-8112, Attention: FEMA
- Online: upload the documents to your FEMA online account. To set up an account or to upload documents, go to www.DisasterAssistance.gov, click on “Check Your Application and Log In” and follow the directions.
Requesting assistance with your application or case
If you were impacted by Hurricane Ida and you still have unmet needs like home repair, rental assistance, furnishings, transportation, or help navigating your FEMA application in York, Bucks, or Montgomery Counties, please call 833-461-8432. For Chester, Delaware, Philadelphia, Bedford, or Northampton Counties, please call 267-888-7471. You will be connected to a case manager who can help you navigate the process, specific to your individual needs.
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