FEMA Disaster Helpline: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) • Hearing/Speech Impaired ONLY: Call 1-800-462-7585
Applicant’s Guide to the Individuals and Households Program
disaster damages, can I get more help? Yes. SBA disaster loans are available to cover the amount of
repair costs that have not already been fully compensated. Application should be made to SBA
for any additional amount needed to complete recovery.
I think I can pay for the repairs on my own, should I apply for a disaster loan? You may discover that the
total costs to complete repairs on your own are more than you planned. With an approved SBA loan, you
will know that the funds to make full repairs are available. While no one wants additional debt, a low
interest loan with affordable payments is a better alternative than not making complete disaster repairs.
What happens if I cannot afford a loan to repair damaged property? If SBA determines you cannot afford
a loan, SBA will automatically refer you back to FEMA for additional help. FEMA may be able
to provided money for other than housing needs, however this additional help is not available
to businesses. FEMA’s additional help is intended to meet necessary expenses and serious needs
not met by any other form of help, including insurance and SBA disaster loans. Remember,
if you were sent a SBA disaster loan application, SBA will not refer you back to FEMA unless a
completed loan application is returned to the SBA and SBA determines that you cannot afford a
loan.
Your Civil Rights and Disaster Assistance
What forms of discrimination do Civil Rights laws prohibit? There are many forms of illegal
discrimination that can limit the opportunity of people to gain equal access to services and
programs. Among other things, in operating a FEMA-assisted program, a recipient (state or
local government agency that receives Federal disaster funds from FEMA) cannot, on the basis
of race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, or economic status, either directly or through
contractual means:
• Deny program services, aids or benefits;
• Provide a different service, aid or benefit, or provide them in a manner dif-
ferent than they are provided to others; or,
• Segregate or separately treat individuals in any matter related to the receipt
of any service, aid, or benefit.
These prohibitions also apply to FEMA itself in its operation of federally conducted programs.
What if I have a Civil Rights complaint? Each Federal Agency that provides Federal financial
assistance is responsible for investigating complaints of discrimination in the use of its funds.
If you believe you or others protected by the Civil Rights laws have been discriminated against
in receiving disaster assistance, you may contact a FEMA Equal Rights Officer (ERO), who has
the job of ensuring equal access to all FEMA disaster programs. The ERO will attempt to resolve
your issues. You may reach the ERO by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362) or TTY 1-
800-462-7585.
If the matter is not resolved, you may file a complaint with FEMA. A signed, written complaint
should be sent to the Office of Equal Rights, generally within 180 days of the date of the
alleged discrimination. The complaint must include:
• Your name, address, and telephone number. Your complaint must be
signed. If you are filing on behalf of another person, include your name,
address, telephone number, and your relationship to that person (e.g., friend,
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