A Guide to FEMA Disaster Relief Assistance 

Spring is the season that North America waits for more than any other. But coming out of a cold, harsh winter comes with a certain level of risk throughout most of the heartland. Early March is wildfire season across much of the middle of the lower 48 when the winds pick up and the moisture and humidity is way down. 

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We expect major grass fires across the plains these next few weeks, which also happens to be the transition point into severe weather season here. Oh, and of course there is the very real possibility of river flooding. In short, we expect federally declared disaster events this time of year, and they are no respecter of location.

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When disaster strikes, no matter how prepared you are, sometimes they are too catastrophic to recover from on your own and you need FEMA disaster assistance. Disaster survivors need help, and we are here to show you how to tap into financial assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. 

Understanding Disaster Assistance

Federal disaster relief is only an option when the President declares a state of disaster and approves FEMA to open up the federal coffers for assistance. 

FEMA is responsible for providing both physical assets for recovery (shelter/trailers, power productions, fresh bottled water), and financial assistance. 

For physical products, GSA Advantage is the go-to source for fixed-price purchases that need to be made fast. Disaster does not ask you if the timing is right.  

Applying for Disaster Assistance

Applying for disaster assistance is an important process and it has to be done by the individual. The detailed step-by-step process is available at https://www.disasterassistance.gov. 

This is for monetary relief. In the interim, though, when there might be a water ban or boil notice, no power, unstable internet, and so on, FEMA plus local and state agencies are compelled to provide lifesaving materials. 

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Our vendor shop on GSA Advantage is the best place to secure bulk bottled water and since it is tagged as a Disaster Purchasing item, it opens up buying via GSA Advantage for local, state, and even tribal governments. This is all done in accordance with Section 833 of the John Warner Defense Authorization Act of 2007 and the Federal Supply Schedules Usage Act of 2010.

Disaster Declaration and Response

State and local governments are the first agencies responsible for providing disaster assistance information. The assistance programs run through the states and even municipalities when a major disaster occurs. 

Again, the aforementioned acts provide better opportunities for local agencies to the disaster area to provide emergency goods and services at locked in prices and availability. 

Readiness and Preparedness

Responding to declared disasters is really a local community effort first and foremost. Individual assistance should be brokered at the lowest level possible in the disaster area. Households should be able to rely on their local governments to deliver the bulk of relief; these are the people who live in the affected areas rather than some random FEMA representative. 

Again, though, FEMA is tasked to step in and provide support when more resources are required than local representatives can process or provide for. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few of the commonly asked questions about FEMA disaster relief:

Who is eligible for FEMA disaster assistance?

Individuals, households, and homeowners that are within federal declared disaster areas are the demographic that will be most eligible for FEMA financial assistance. These are always handled on a case-by-case basis so we cannot generalize it by stating that all people in that areas are eligible. 

How do I apply for FEMA disaster relief funds?

You can apply for FEMA assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling FEMA’s helpline at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or by visiting a Disaster Recovery Center in your area. Make sure you can provide identification, residence, and insurance details, and always document damages (if you can).

What types of assistance does FEMA provide after a disaster?

FEMA’s relief efforts reach from financial aid to temporary housing, home repairs, medical and dental relief, personal property replacement, and other expenses explicitly disaster related. Also, FEMA coordinates with other agencies (local, state, tribal, and federal) to provide food, water, and other emergency supplies. 

How long does it take to receive FEMA assistance after applying?

The timeline varies, but FEMA is broken into regions to assure rapid response. But the main impactors of response time varies based on the severity of the event and volume of applicants. Applicants usually get an answer in a few weeks and payouts in 7-10 business days.