As part of the disaster assistance process, FEMA must determine ownership and occupancy of damaged primary residences. FEMA shares how residents can verify ownership and occupancy after experiencing a loss from the May 24-27 storms.
Owners and renters must be able to prove they occupied the disaster-damaged primary residence before receiving Housing Assistance and some types of Other Needs Assistance. FEMA accepts a broad range of documentation:
To prove home ownership, a homeowner may provide documentation such as:
– The original deed or deed of trust to the property;
– A mortgage statement or escrow analysis;
– Property tax receipt or property tax bill; or
– Manufactured home certificate or title.
In addition, FEMA will now accept a public official’s letter or receipts for major repairs or improvements. The public official’s statement, for example from a police chief, mayor or postmaster, must include the name of the applicant, the address of the disaster-damaged residence, the period of occupation and the name and telephone number of the official providing the verification.
Survivors with heirship properties, mobile homes or travel trailers who do not have the traditional documentation of ownership may self-certify ownership as a last resort.
Homeowners with the same address from a previous disaster only need to verify ownership one time. FEMA has also expanded the date of eligible documents from three months to one year before the disaster.
To prove occupancy, homeowners and renters must document they occupied the dwelling at the time of the disaster. Applicants may provide documentation such as:
– Utility bills, bank or credit card statements, phone bills, etc.;
– Employer’s statement;
– Written lease agreement;
– Rent receipts; or
– Public officials statement.
In addition, FEMA will accept motor vehicle registration, letters from local schools (public or private), federal or state benefit providers, social service organizations or court documents. Applicants can also use a signed statement from a commercial or mobile home park owner, or self- certification for a mobile home or travel trailer as a last resort.
If survivors have successfully verified occupancy to FEMA from a previous disaster within a two-year period, they do not need to do it again.
To apply for FEMA disaster assistance, go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA App for smartphones or call 800-621-3362. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI