Get FEMA help after a disaster

What should I do immediately after a disaster?

The most important thing is to make sure you are safe and all your basic needs are met. Use the Red Cross’s Find An Emergency Shelter to find shelters near you. You can also call the Red Cross 24 hours a day at 1-800-733-2767. Shelters are open to anyone. There are no income or citizenship requirements for emergency shelter. 

• Don’t return to your home until it is safe. Returning to your home and documenting the damage are an important step to recovering from the disaster. But this step can wait until after officials announce that it is safe to return. 

It may be hard to see your home after the disaster. It is common to feel stress, anxiety, and other depression-like symptoms. You can call or text 1-800-985-5990 to connect with a trained crisis counselor at the Disaster Distress Helpline. 

• Keep receipts for any extra living costs (like hotels, meals and transportation) while you are unable to return home.
• If you have insurance, call your insurance company to inform them of your loss. Tell your insurance agent that you don’t know how bad the damage is or how much it will cost to fix. You will need to follow up with written notice of your loss, including additional documentation. You will have time to figure out exactly what was damaged later. When you are ready to learn more about the insurance process, learn about making insurance claims after a disaster.
• Check the FEMA Disaster Declaration page for updates about the disaster, when aid programs become available, and if Disaster Recovery Centers open in your area. 

Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are local places where you can get in-person help from FEMA. You can walk into any local Disaster Recovery Centers that are open in your area. You can also schedule an appointment ahead of time. Check if there are any active Disaster Recovery Centers in Washington.

If you are a farmer, farmworker, rancher, or live in an agriculturally impacted community, check to see about special aid that may be available after a disaster from the USDA. Learn more about USDA Disaster Aid. 

How do I check if the disaster in my area has been officially “declared” by FEMA?

Check the Washington FEMA website for Declared Disasters to see if a disaster has been declared. Check repeatedly. It can take days after a disaster happens before FEMA is able to officially declare the disaster publicly and start giving out aid. 

How do I apply for FEMA aid if I lost all my important documents and IDs during the disaster?

You should read our guide about replacing lost documents.  

You can start your application for FEMA assistance without having your documents. After applying you may have to provide proof of your identity, your ownership or occupancy, or other personal information. You can send proof of your replacement documents to FEMA once you receive them. Usually, you can upload the replacement copies to your Disaster Assistance account at DisasterAssistance.gov.