What relocation help looks like after a natural disaster
After a flood, wildfire, hurricane, or earthquake, you may get help with temporary housing, repairs to your home, or moving costs — but the source and amount depend on whether your area was declared a disaster by the federal government. If it was, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) steps in alongside state and local programs. If it wasn't, you're working with state disaster funds, nonprofits, and insurance alone.
The most common forms of help are temporary housing (hotel vouchers or rental information while you rebuild), grants to repair your home if you own it, and direct relocation information if your home is uninhabitable. Some programs cover moving truck rental, temporary storage, or deposits on a new rental. The catch: most require you to live in the declared disaster area, prove you had homeowners or renters insurance (or didn't have access to it), and show that the disaster caused the damage.
Key Takeaways
- FEMA Individual information covers temporary housing and home repairs only in federally declared disaster areas, and you must register within 60 days of the declaration.
- Your state's emergency management agency runs its own disaster fund separate from FEMA and may cover relocation costs FEMA does not.
- Nonprofits like the Red Cross, Salvation Army, and local community foundations often provide when ready cash information and moving help before government programs open.
- Insurance claims move faster than government information, so filing with your insurer first can bridge the gap while you wait for FEMA or state funds.
- Disaster Unemployment Insurance and Small Business Administration loans are available if the disaster cost you income or business property.
How FEMA Individual information works for housing and relocation
FEMA Individual information (IA) is the federal program that opens after a presidential disaster declaration. To receive help, you must register with FEMA within 60 days of the declaration date — this is a hard important date. You register online at DisasterAssistance.gov, by phone at 1-800-621-3362, or in person at a Disaster Recovery Center if one opens in your area.
FEMA covers temporary housing in two ways: it can pay for a hotel or motel room while you find permanent housing, or it can provide a rental information grant if you need to move into an apartment or house. The grant typically covers rent for up to 18 months, though the amount varies by area and family size. FEMA does not cover moving truck rental, storage, or deposits — those costs fall to you, your insurance, or state programs.
For homeowners, FEMA also offers grants to repair your home to pre-disaster condition, but only if the damage is repairable and you own the property outright or have a mortgage. If your home is destroyed beyond repair, FEMA's help is limited to temporary housing; rebuilding costs are covered by insurance or your own resources. Renters do not receive repair grants, only temporary housing information.
State disaster information programs and what they cover
Every state has its own emergency management agency that runs a disaster information program separate from FEMA. These programs often open faster than FEMA and may cover costs FEMA does not, such as moving expenses, security deposits on rental housing, or temporary storage. The state program is your second call after you register with FEMA.
To find your state's program, search "[your state] emergency management agency" or "[your state] disaster information." The agency's website will list the current open programs, what they cover, and how to register. Some states require you to explore within 30 days of the disaster; others have longer windows. If your state has a 211 service (dial 2-1-1 or visit 211.org), they can tell you which state programs are open and help you find local nonprofits as well.
State programs vary widely. California's Disaster information Program covers temporary housing and moving costs. Texas offers grants for essential needs including relocation. New York's Disaster information Program covers temporary housing and home repairs. If you live in a state with a large disaster fund, state information may exceed FEMA's offer. If your state's fund is small or depleted, you may receive nothing from the state level.
Nonprofit and charitable organizations that help when ready
The Red Cross, Salvation Army, and local community foundations often provide cash information and moving help within days of a disaster, before government programs open. The Red Cross opens shelters and provides emergency cash grants (typically $200 to $500 per household) for when ready needs like food, clothing, and temporary housing. The Salvation Army does the same and also operates mobile canteens and supply distribution.
Local community foundations and United Way chapters often have disaster relief funds that open quickly. These are smaller but faster than FEMA — you may receive a check within a week. Search "[your city or county] community foundation" or "[your county] United Way" to find local options. Some foundations focus on specific neighborhoods or populations; if you belong to a faith community, that organization may also have a disaster fund.
Nonprofits rarely cover moving truck rental or deposits, but they do provide when ready cash that you can use for those costs. If you need a place to stay tonight, the Red Cross shelter is your fastest option. If you need cash to pay a deposit on temporary housing, a local foundation may be faster than FEMA.
Insurance claims and how they interact with government information
Your homeowners or renters insurance should be your first call, not your last. Insurance claims move faster than FEMA — most insurers can send an adjuster within days and issue payment within weeks. FEMA will ask whether you have insurance and may reduce its grant by the amount your insurance covers, so filing both claims is important.
If you have homeowners insurance, file a claim when ready. Take photos of the damage, document what was lost, and keep receipts for any emergency repairs or temporary housing you pay for out of pocket. Your insurer will reimburse temporary housing costs while you rebuild. If you have renters insurance, it covers your belongings and may cover temporary housing; file that claim as well.
If you do not have insurance, tell FEMA that during registration. FEMA may waive the insurance offset and provide more information, though this varies by state and disaster. If you had insurance but it lapsed or was cancelled, FEMA will likely reduce its offer. This is why renters insurance is critical — it costs $15 to $30 per month and covers relocation costs that FEMA does not.
Disaster Unemployment Insurance and SBA loans for lost income
If the disaster cost you your job or closed your business, you may be able to receive Disaster Unemployment Insurance (DUI) in addition to regular unemployment benefits. DUI extends benefits by up to 26 weeks and is available only in declared disaster areas. explore through your state's unemployment office; they will tell you whether DUI is open for your disaster.
If you own a business, the Small Business Administration (SBA) offers low-interest disaster loans to cover physical damage to your building or equipment, as well as working capital to keep the business running while you rebuild. SBA loans are not grants — you must repay them — but the interest rate is typically 4 percent or less, and you have up to 30 years to repay. explore at DisasterAssistance.gov or contact your local SBA office.
Steps to take in the first week after a disaster
The first week is chaotic, but a few actions will unlock help faster. First, if your area is declared a disaster by the president, register with FEMA within 60 days — do not wait. Register at DisasterAssistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362. Have your Social Security number, current address, and a description of the damage ready.
Second, file an insurance claim with your homeowners or renters insurer. Take photos of the damage before you clean up, and keep receipts for temporary housing and emergency repairs. Third, contact your state's emergency management agency to learn what state programs are open. Fourth, call 211 or visit 211.org to find local nonprofits offering when ready cash information. Fifth, if you lost your job, contact your state's unemployment office to ask about Disaster Unemployment Insurance.
Do not wait for FEMA to approve before you find temporary housing — FEMA's approval can take weeks, and you need a place to stay now. Use insurance money, nonprofit cash, or your own resources to move into temporary housing, then submit receipts to FEMA for reimbursement. FEMA will reimburse temporary housing costs retroactively if you register within 60 days.
Common reasons FEMA denies or reduces information
FEMA denies information most often because the applicant registered after the 60-day important date, did not live in the declared disaster area, or had insurance that should have covered the damage. If FEMA offers less than you expected, it is usually because your insurance is expected to pay first, or because the damage is considered repairable rather than a total loss.
If FEMA denies your process, you have the right to appeal. The appeal process takes 60 to 90 days and requires you to submit additional documentation — photos, proof of residency, proof of the disaster's impact on your home. If you disagree with FEMA's decision, contact a disaster recovery center or call 1-800-621-3362 to request an appeal form. Some nonprofits and legal aid organizations offer free help with FEMA appeals; search "[your county] legal aid" to find one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my area was not declared a federal disaster?
You lose access to FEMA information, but your state may still have a disaster fund. Contact your state's emergency management agency to learn what programs are open. Nonprofits, community foundations, and your insurance are your remaining options. Some states create disaster funds even without a federal declaration, especially for wildfires or localized flooding.
Can I use FEMA money to move to a different city instead of rebuilding where I was?
FEMA's temporary housing information is meant to bridge the gap while you rebuild in the same area. If you choose to relocate permanently, FEMA will not cover moving costs, and temporary housing information will end once you move. Your state program or insurance may cover relocation, so check before you move.
How long does FEMA information last?
Temporary housing information typically lasts up to 18 months from the disaster date, though FEMA can extend it in some cases. Home repair grants have no time limit — you can receive them years after the disaster if you are still rebuilding. Once your home is repaired or you move into permanent housing, temporary information ends.
Do I have to repay FEMA grants?
No. FEMA Individual information grants do not have to be repaid. SBA disaster loans do have to be repaid, but at a low interest rate. Make sure you understand which program you are receiving money from — FEMA grants are free, SBA loans are not.
What if I am undocumented or do not have a Social Security number?
FEMA requires a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to register. If you do not have either, contact a local nonprofit or community organization — many offer disaster information without requiring documentation. Some states also have separate disaster funds that do not require proof of citizenship.