Receive Money from FEMA? Keep Your Receipts To Show How You Used It

November 28, 2020

If you received Hurricane Sally recovery money from FEMA, the federal agency is reminding you to use the money for its intended purpose and to keep receipts for three years.

Disaster assistance is intended to help residents meet basic disaster-related needs. A letter explaining what the payment is to be used for arrives within a day or two of the check or direct deposit payment.

If applicants spend the payment on anything other than the purpose for which it is intended, they may be denied future disaster assistance. In some cases, FEMA may ask that the money be returned.

Those receiving assistance are urged to keep receipts for their disaster spending for three years to document that the money was used to meet disaster-related needs. If recipients receive an insurance settlement to cover the same expenses, they must reimburse FEMA. Audits are conducted to confirm funds were spent properly.

Disaster survivors in Bay, Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties with uninsured losses can apply by:

  • Visiting DisasterAssistance.gov;
  • Downloading the FEMA App; or by
  • Calling 800-621-3362 (800-462-7585 TTY). Multilingual operators are available. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week. Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption or CapTel should provide FEMA with their specific phone number assigned to that service.

Pictured: A Hurricane Sally damaged home in Escambia County. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.

Comments

8 Responses to “Receive Money from FEMA? Keep Your Receipts To Show How You Used It”

  1. Charlene Benitez on November 30th, 2020 5:11 am

    I’m homeless and in need of assistance due to all disasters. Me and my daughters have nothing and are struggling to start our lives to recouped the little bit of what we have left. We stay in my car in hopes of getting through these really tough times.

  2. Melissa Holston on November 29th, 2020 1:52 pm

    I had several trees fall on my roof and really financial help please the water keeps leaking in new places.please email me application to apply

  3. Mineika Hiter on November 29th, 2020 1:07 pm

    I have turned in all my documents that fema asked for. Still waiting staying with relatives in need me and my daughter . I had to take her out of school because we have literally nothing no clothes to wear nothing . In fema I call everyday same thing I hear it’s so very impatient when you are trying to be patient

  4. Keithmilligan on November 29th, 2020 12:47 am

    I need help to make it.please help me with the money .

  5. Yangumi Mingo on November 28th, 2020 7:46 pm

    I haven’t received any payment for sally we went through two more storms and it getting worse who else can i call

  6. Star watkins on November 28th, 2020 6:58 pm

    My family and I are misplaced we are in ga and are living with relatives I have three children we really need the financial heo

  7. Jessica Homs on November 28th, 2020 2:07 pm

    My back yard and fence and porch was damaged as well as my room was flooded bad due to big big storm few weeks ago pkease help me im not working. Im waiting for disability

  8. Brigette parker on November 28th, 2020 12:02 pm

    I did application got a email but haven’t received a call from any I just wanted know if my application was approved for help my phone number is 8504801400