U.S. Government Help for Losing a House to Fire

Contacting FEMA

• The government requires that you file an application with FEMA that establishes your need for assistance. There are three ways to apply to FEMA for federal aid: You can apply online, over the phone or in person at a local disaster recovery center. If you cannot get to one of FEMA's local centers, you can file an application with them at disasterassistance.gov or reach them over the phone at 1-800-621-3362.

Aid Requirements

• You must meet five basic requirements in order to receive aid from FEMA. Only residents with homes that are in an area the president has declared a federal disaster area can apply for aid. If you have insurance covering fire damage, FEMA benefits are available only for damages that are not fully covered by insurance. In order to receive assistance, you must prove that you are a legal citizen or resident of the United States and that the damaged property is your primary residence. Vacation homes or other forms of secondary residence are not eligible for FEMA benefits.

Federal Benefits

• Five categories of federal aid are available for disaster victims. If you are eligible for aid, FEMA will provide you with temporary government housing or money to rent a temporary home. Homes that are only damaged can receive funds to aid in the repair process. If your home was destroyed and insurance does not fully cover your losses, FEMA will provide a grant for buying a new home. FEMA also provides aid for medical expenses, damage to personal property and other expenses associated with rebuilding. If you do not use this grant money in accordance with FEMA regulations, you may be asked to repay it.

Appealing Rejections

• If your application is rejected, you have the right to file a written appeal with FEMA. Some of the reasons that FEMA can reject an application include paperwork that is not signed or filled out correctly, duplicate claims, or if you have not proven that you are the owner of the property and a legal resident of the United States. FEMA will also reject claims for rental assistance if you state an intention to remain in your home while it is repaired.