FEMA Reforms Disaster Assistance to Help 

Disaster Survivors across Indian Country 

To help disaster survivors across Indian Country recover faster, FEMA ̃implemented the most significant updates to disaster assistance in 

the last 20 years. These program updates will help all survivors, including tribal community members, whether they receive assistance 

under a Tribal Nation Disaster Declaration or State Disaster Declaration. These updates apply to Tribal and State Presidentially declared 

disasters on or after March 22, 2024 and include: 

Establish 

New Benefits 

Standardizing Serious Needs Assistance 

FEMA is standardizing assistance for serious needs by 

making a $750 payment available in all disasters receiving 

Individual Assistance, for eligible households to access 

essential items like, food, water, baby formula and other 

emergency supplies. 

Create Displacement Assistance 

This new form of assistance is designed for tribal community 

members that cannot return to their home following a 

disaster and provides them financial assistance they can 

use flexibly to pay for their immediate housing needs. It 

provides eligible tribal community members with up-front 

funds to assist with immediate housing options of their 

choice until they are able to secure a rental option to focus 

on their long-term recovery. 

Cut Red Tape and 

Expand Eligibility 

Simplify Other Needs Assistance 

FEMA no longer requires tribal community members to apply for a U.S. Small Business Administration 

(SBA) loan before being considered for certain types of assistance. Tribal community members now have 

the option to apply for a low-interest SBA loan at the same time they apply for FEMA assistance. 

Help Underinsured Tribal Community Members 

Tribal community members who receive an insurance payment for damage to their home may be 

eligible to receive assistance from FEMA, even if their insurance payment is more than the 

congressionally established maximums ($42,500 for Fiscal Year 2024) for Housing Assistance 

or Other Needs Assistance. 

Expand Habitability Criteria 

Tribal community members who need to fix a disaster-damaged area of their home may qualify for FEMA 

support, so the home is in a safe and sanitary condition, to include home repair regardless of pre-existing 

conditions of the disaster-damaged area. For example, if an already leaky roof was further damaged by a 

disaster, it may be eligible for repairs required to bring it back to a working condition. 

Make Accessibility Improvements 

Tribal community members with disabilities or medical conditions may now use FEMA funding to make 

certain accessibility improvements to homes damaged by a declared disaster, even if the improvements 

were not present prior to the disaster. 

Simplifying Assistance for Self-Employed Tribal Community Members 

FEMA may provide self-employed tribal community members with some initial financial support to replace 

disaster-damaged tools and equipment, or other items required for a specific trade or profession. 

Expanding Assistance for Computing Devices 

Eligible tribal community members may now receive assistance for a personal or family computer that is 

damaged by a disaster. They may also receive assistance for additional computers required for work, 

school or access and functional needs. 

Simplify the 

Application Process 

Streamline Temporary Housing Assistance Applications 

FEMA is reducing documentation requirements for applicants seeking 

continued temporary housing assistance. Individual caseworkers will 

engage closely with tribal community members to offer support and 

increase transparency. 

Remove Barriers for Late Applicants 

Tribal community members requesting approval for a late application no 

longer have to provide documentation supporting the reason for their 

late application. 

Simplify the Process for Appeals 

Tribal Community Members who choose to appeal the type or amount of 

FEMA assistance offered, no longer are required to submit a signed, 

written appeal letter to accompany supporting documentation.