Stay in Touch with FEMA

News Release

Stay in Touch with FEMA

INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana residents who applied for federal assistance may need to follow-up with FEMA for a variety of reasons such as to schedule an inspection or provide additional information or documents to move their application forward.

Applicants with Insurance

If you applied with FEMA and have insurance for the damage to your home, you will need to submit the insurance settlement or denial letter to FEMA as part of your application. By law, FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by other sources.

Answer that Inspector Call

FEMA will typically call or text you within 10 days after you apply to schedule an inspection. While that timeframe can vary, be sure to respond to move your application forward. Inspectors will present an official FEMA ID and already have your application number when they arrive at your home. You can ask them to verify that information before the inspection begins.

A FEMA inspector will never ask for money or your bank information. If you are unsure whether a visit or call is legitimate, contact the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 to verify.

Continued Housing Assistance

If you received initial rental assistance from FEMA because your home was not safe to live in, and you are still working toward your permanent housing plan, continued temporary housing assistance may be available.

To be considered, you must:

1. Show you used the initial FEMA rental assistance to pay for temporary housing.
2. Be unable to return to your pre-disaster residence because it is still not safe to live in or is no longer available because of the disaster.
3. Demonstrate the inability to obtain housing without assistance.
4. Show that you are working toward a permanent housing plan.

If you were initially approved for rental assistance, an application for continued temporary housing assistance will be mailed to you 15 days after the grant is approved. If you do not receive one, contact FEMA by calling 800-621-3362.

Applicants Appealing an Initial FEMA Decision

If you disagree with FEMA's decision or the amount of money provided, you can submit an appeal letter and documents supporting your claim, such as a contractor's estimate for home repairs. You have 60 days from the date of your decision letter to appeal.

At the end of your FEMA letter, look for an appeal request form that can be used to send us additional information about your situation. This form can help make sure you have the information FEMA needs and gives you space to explain why you need help.

Submit your appeal documents by mail, online, by fax, or in-person at an in-person support site.

• Online: This is the fastest option to submit documents. If you have a FEMA online account, upload your documents electronically. To set up the account first, visit DisasterAssistance.gov, click on "Check Status" and follow the directions.
• By mail: FEMA, P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055
• By fax: 800-827-8112, Attention: FEMA
• In-person: Visit an in-person support site to submit your appeal. Find a support site here: on.in.gov/August2026Disaster.

Reminder: Application Deadline is October 25, 2026

Start the application process by going online to DisasterAssistance.gov or calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use video relay service, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service.

Be sure to apply before the Oct. 25, 2026 deadline. For even more information about the disaster recovery operation in Indiana visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4933.

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FEMA's mission is helping people before, during and after disasters.