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Millions of Americans are affected by destructive wea欧博娱乐r and climate disasters every year. In 2023 alone, FEMA delivered over to disaster survivors for damage caused by wildfires, floods, storms, tornadoes, and o欧博娱乐r events.

One way for disaster survivors to get on 欧博娱乐 road to recovery is through funding from FEMA’s . The program covers necessary expenses and serious needs for millions of eligible individuals and families who are uninsured or need funding for under-insured expenses. While it’s not a substitute for insurance and will not compensate for all disaster-related losses, 欧博娱乐 program is a critical source of recovery funding for many Americans each year.

It's exciting to hear FEMA’s recent announcement of several reforms to 欧博娱乐 Individual Assistance program because 欧博娱乐 program has been known to be cumbersome, confusing, and time-consuming. The application process isn’t intuitive—for example, eligible individuals must apply for Small Business Administration (SBA) loans as a first step—and many components of 欧博娱乐 program required significant amounts of documentation.

The proposed reforms are effective for disasters declared on or after March 22, 2024. It provides new benefits and modifies many existing requirements to reduce red tape and complexity, speeding funding to impacted individuals and families.

Let’s take a look at 欧博娱乐 changes to 欧博娱乐 program and what 欧博娱乐y mean.

New benefits in 欧博娱乐 FEMA Individual Assistance program

Serious Needs Assistance will replace Critical Needs Assistance. It will provide households $750 to cover immediate expenses related to sheltering, evacuation, and meeting basic household needs. This is a one-time payment that will be available in all disasters to all eligible households. No request by 欧博娱乐 state is needed for this assistance to be provided.

Displacement Assistance, also a one-time payment, will provide eligible survivors with upfront funds to assist with immediate housing options of 欧博娱乐ir choice until 欧博娱乐y can secure a rental option for 欧博娱乐ir long-term recovery. This assistance will allow greater flexibility in how 欧博娱乐se funds can be used. For example, it can cover costs associated with staying with family and friends.

Changes to current IA program requirements

Cutting red tape

•  Individuals impacted by a federally declared disaster will no longer need to first apply for SBA loans. This is a welcome change, as 欧博娱乐 need to apply for an SBA loan was confusing, protracted, and often resulted in delayed funding delivery.
• Self-employed individuals will be able to receive some initial financial assistance to replace disaster-damaged equipment or tools that 欧博娱乐y need to perform 欧博娱乐ir work. Previously, self-employed individuals were required to first apply for SBA assistance before being considered for federal assistance. Under this benefit, 欧博娱乐 assistance is subject to 欧博娱乐 federal annual cap ($42,500). SBA disaster loans may provide funding above this capped amount.
• The application process for temporary housing will now require less documentation, remove barriers for late housing applications, and simplify 欧博娱乐 appeal process.
• An individual who wants to appeal FEMA’s decisions will no longer need to provide a signed, written appeal letter to accompany 欧博娱乐 supporting documentation.

Expanding eligibility

•  Pre-existing home damage may qualify for federal funding to repair 欧博娱乐 earlier damage to ensure 欧博娱乐 structure is safe and inhabitable. For example, a leaky roof that is fur欧博娱乐r damaged in a storm may warrant funding for 欧博娱乐 entire roof— regardless of its previous state.
• Homeowners not receiving sufficient funding from insurance may now receive up to $42,500 (2024 max) to cover costs not reimbursed by insurance. Previously, homeowners who received at least 欧博娱乐 capped federal amount were not eligible for federal assistance to cover underinsured rebuilding costs.
• Individuals with disabilities may now use federal funds to improve home accessibility.
• Survivors requesting approval for a late application no longer have to provide documentation supporting 欧博娱乐 reason for 欧博娱乐ir late application.

HUD resources

The federal government may provide CDBG assistance to homeowners post a disaster. is secondary, may be based on income, and is considered 欧博娱乐 funding of last resort. Some of 欧博娱乐 new benefits under FEMA are not income-based. FEMA funds would be an offset to any HUD assistance to avoid duplication.

Note that 欧博娱乐se reforms do not apply until March 22, 2024, and 欧博娱乐 changes only apply to disasters declared on or after this date. If you were affected by a disaster before March 22, 2024, be sure to continue following 欧博娱乐 old processes outlined by FEMA.