---
title: "What FEMA assistance is available to individuals and households after a disaster? Answer in under 100 words. Cite only eCFR sources."
canonical: https://www.m-i-n-d.ai/minds/emergency-management/fema-individuals-households-assistance
jurisdiction: "US Federal"
last_verified: 2026-08-26
license: CC BY 4.0 — https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
attribution: "Source: MIND (m-i-n-d.ai)"
---

# What FEMA assistance is available to individuals and households after a disaster? Answer in under 100 words. Cite only eCFR sources.

As amended January 22, 2024, 44 CFR § 206.110 caps FEMA financial assistance at $25,000 per disaster for repair or replacement of a pre-disaster primary residence, plus a separate $25,000 cap for Other Needs Assistance. Under the Stafford Act, FEMA provides financial—and if necessary direct—assistance to households with uninsured or under-insured serious needs, including one or more types of housing assistance selected by FEMA for cost effectiveness, convenience, suitability, and availability. Other Needs Assistance uses a 75% federal / 25% state cost share, and assistance generally runs up to 18 months from the presidential disaster declaration.

## Details / How it works

- Section 206.110 implements 42 U.S.C. 5174 (Stafford Act), which authorizes financial assistance and, if necessary, direct assistance for eligible individuals and households.
- Eligibility is limited to losses or expenses from damage occurring during the **incident period** established in the presidential major disaster or emergency declaration.
- An applicant is expected to accept the **first offer** of housing assistance; unwarranted refusal may forfeit future housing assistance.

## Numbers & thresholds

| Item | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Max financial assistance — primary residence repair/replacement | **$25,000** |
| Max financial assistance — Other Needs Assistance | **$25,000** |
| Federal share — Other Needs Assistance | 75% |
| Non-Federal (State) share — Other Needs Assistance | 25% |
| Period of assistance | Up to **18 months** from declaration date |

FEMA adjusts the $25,000 limits annually based on the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the Department of Labor.

## Exceptions & edge cases

- Rental assistance and lodging expense reimbursement are excluded from the maximum amount calculation.
- The maximum also excludes expenses to repair or replace eligible damaged **accessibility-related** real property improvements and personal property for individuals with disabilities.
- **Duplication of benefits**: FEMA will not provide assistance when any other source has already provided such assistance or when such assistance is available from any other source.
- **Special flood hazard areas**: assistance for NFIP-insurable flood-damaged property requires community participation in the NFIP, and recipients receiving acquisition/construction assistance must buy and maintain flood insurance.
- Disaster assistance is exempt from garnishment, seizure, encumbrance, levy, execution, pledge, attachment, release or waiver, and is not counted as income or a resource for federally funded welfare or income-tested benefit programs.

## Sources

- [1] U.S. National Archives, Electronic Code of Federal Regulations — 44 CFR 206.110 — Federal assistance to individuals and households · https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-44/section-206.110 · as of 2026-08-26
- [2] U.S. National Archives, Electronic Code of Federal Regulations — 44 CFR 206.36 — Requests for major disaster declarations · https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-44/section-206.36 · as of 2026-08-26