FEMA and State Individual Assistance

This Fact Sheet provides information about FEMA's Individual Assistance Program and the State of Alaska's Individual Assistance Program.

What is State Individual Assistance and what does it cover?

The State's Individual Assistance (IA) Program includes the Individual and Family Grants (IFG) and Temporary Housing Grants (THG). IFG provides funding to individuals/families with damage to their homes, personal property, transportation, subsistence equipment or medical/dental expenses caused by disaster. THG provides rental assistance to those with homes made unlivable due to the disaster. Temporary Housing can provide up to 18 months of rental assistance for homeowners and three months for renters.

What is FEMA's Individual Assistance and what does it cover?

FEMA's Individuals and Households Program (IHP) provides financial and direct services to eligible individuals and households whose needs can't be met through insurance or other sources. This may include funding to help repair or rebuild primary homes, rental assistance, shipping of materials to Alaska, and helping to replace critical personal property for the primary home and/or subsistence living. Temporary Housing can provide up to 18 months of assistance for both homeowners and renters.

IHP is not a substitute for insurance and cannot cover all losses caused by the disaster.

Who can apply for FEMA Individual Assistance?

The FEMA Individual Assistance (IA) program is available to Alaska residents who live in the federally declared disaster area with eligible disaster-caused damages and expenses. IA is approved for the Lower Kuskokwim Regional Educational Attendance Area, Lower Yukon Regional Educational Attendance Area, and Northwest Arctic Borough.

• Survivors can apply by calling the FEMA dedicated Alaska Call Center at (866) 342-1699, visiting DisasterAssistance.gov or using the FEMA app. The FEMA Helpline is also available at (800) 621-3362.

Do I need to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance if I already applied for State Individual Assistance?

Yes. Even if you have already registered for the State of Alaska's IA program, you should also register with FEMA to determine if you are eligible to receive additional federal funds.

FEMA cannot duplicate assistance but if your losses or damage go beyond disaster assistance available from other sources - or include items or categories not covered by other assistance - you may be eligible for additional funds from FEMA.

To register for State of Alaska Individual Assistance call 1-844-445-7131, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. or apply online https://ready.alaska.gov/Recovery/IA.

What happens next?

FEMA damage assessors will contact you to schedule a time to meet in person or in your city or village to review disaster related damage to your home and personal property (including lost subsistence items), that may or may not be located at the primary residence. FEMA teams are also traveling to impacted villages to take registrations and conduct damage assessments.

There is no fee for the inspection.

Someone 18 years of age or older must be present during the assessment. The damage assessor will also ask to see:

• Photo identification
• Proof of ownership/occupancy of damaged residence (tax bill, mortgage payment book, rental agreement or utility bill)
• Insurance documents, if available
• List of people living in the residence at the time of disaster
• All disaster-related damage to both real and personal property.

FEMA damage assessors will have an official FEMA photo ID badge. You may ask the assessor to show their badge. If an assessor refuses to show FEMA photo identification, do not allow the damage assessment. Beware of scammers impersonating assessors or calling impacted individuals and acting as FEMA representatives. FEMA representatives will always have a photo-ID badge, access to your application number and will never call you to ask for financial account information or Social Security number.