Individual Assistance Grant Program (IA)

Individual Assistance is a federal program that can help people recover from a disaster. Assistance may be provided to help with things like:

  • fixing damages to your house
  • rent or temporary lodging
  • replacing furniture or belongings 
  • help replace medical equipment such as wheelchairs and CPAPs

To ask for federal assistance, we must show that a lot of homes were damaged. It’s very easy to determine large scale damage in tornados or hurricanes. It is harder to show large scale damage in Maine because we don’t often have highly damaging storms. Maine is not often able to apply for Individual Assistance because it’s harder to show the damage is enough to meet the guidelines for application.

If the damage was:

  • done to your primary residence
  • your primary residence is uninsured or underinsured
  • you are a US Citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien
  • the damage level is major or destroyed
  • the damage did not include your seawall or shoreline, property outbuildings, fencing, or the damage is cleaning up debris in your yard

you should report the damage using the Maine Individual Damage Assessment form (link).

On this page you will find information regarding:

What is FEMA Individual Assistance?

Individual Assistance is a federal program that can help people whose homes were damaged in a disaster make those homes livable. 

How does Maine decide that Individual Assistance is needed?

The State of Maine and the counties list all the storm damage after a big storm. Sometimes the local and state government can help with the storm damage by themselves. If we need help Maine can ask for federal assistance. Asking for federal assistance starts with the governor asking the President to sign a Disaster Declaration that will activate the Individual Assistance program. If the President signs the Disaster Declaration, then we can receive federal assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through the Individual Assistance program. This can help people repair damage to their house that wasn’t covered by insurance.

What Individual Assistance will not do.

The Individual Assistance Program (IAP) will not cover all damage to your property. This damage could be to your home, personal property, or household goods. IAP is not intended to restore your damaged property to its condition before the disaster. IAP usually only provides enough money to make the house safe to live in. There are limits to how much money FEMA will give.

IAP does not cover business-related losses from the disaster. You can apply to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for a Business Disaster Loan (link). These loans can cover damage to the business, loss of income, unemployment, and other business expenses.

IAP will not give money to you for losses that are covered by your insurance.

How soon after a disaster must my damages be reported?

A damage assessment form must be completed within 10 days of the date of the disaster. 

What are the guidelines and definitions for federal assistance?

What are the basic guidelines for getting FEMA Assistance?

If the storm damage was:

  • done to your primary residence 
  • your primary residence is underinsured or uninsured
  • you are a US Citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien
  • the damage level is major or destroyed
  • the damage did not happen to your seawall or shoreline, property outbuildings, fencing, or the damage is cleaning up debris in your yard

you can complete the Maine Individual Damage Assessment form (link).

What does 'Primary Residence' mean?

Primary Residence is where you live in most of the year. It is the address on your driver’s license, where you pay taxes, and where you are registered to vote.

What does 'uninsured' or 'underinsured' mean?

Uninsured means that you do not carry insurance on your property. 

Underinsured means that house damage is not covered, or not covered completely, by insurance. 

You must make a claim to your insurance company if you have insurance. You cannot apply for federal assistance if the insurance company will cover all the damage. You should still complete the damage assessment form.  If your insurance does not cover some items, you can ask for additional assistance.

What if the damaged property is not my 'primary residence'?

If your house wasn’t hurt, you will probably not get money from FEMA. Sheds, garages, and buildings are not attached to the house, so FEMA won’t give money to fix or replace them. If the property is a vacation or second home, it will not be covered.

What if the damaged property is my summer or vacation home?

FEMA will not give money to fix summer and vacation homes.

What is Minor Damage vs. Major Damage?

FEMA has four damage classifications for residences:

  • Affected: houses that were affected may have storm debris that needs picked up or fences that need repaired.
  • Minor: a home that needs fixed but is still safe. The basement may have flooded, or the house may have been in an inch or two of water.
  • Major: a home with structural damage. This is a lost roof, a flood that lasts several days, or flood water 18 inches high on the first floor.
  • Destroyed: the home is a total loss. Water was up to the roof, walls have fallen, or house is gone.

FEMA may give money if your house had major damage or was destroyed.

Should I included unattached buildings (garage, shed, etc.) in my assessment?

No. Only damage to the primary residence is covered.

Can I use these funds to help repair a fence or clean up debris?

No. These funds are to be used to make your house safe to live in. 

I live down a private dirt road. Should I include damage to my road in the assessment?

Maybe. If you can’t get to your house because your road is washed out, you may be able to get money to help fix the road if it is the only way to get to your house. If your driveway is washed out and your house is not accessible, FEMA may be able to provide help. FEMA assistance is designed to make the residence safe and available for use.

I live on the coast and have damage to my seawall and shoreline. Should I include it in the assessment?

Maybe. FEMA money won’t fix the shore or seawall. FEMA may give money to fix a dock if you live on an island and your only access to your home is by a boat landing at the damaged dock. If your house is close enough to the seawall that the house might get washed away, FEMA may help.

Do I have to wait to get money from FEMA or SBA before I repair the damage?

No. You can repair the residence before any assistance is available to you. Please take multiple pictures of the damage and keep receipts for any repairs you have completed. You would be able to apply for that assistance as a reimbursement for the repair.

Are there other housing needs covered by FEMA?

FEMA can provide grants for temporary housing if you cannot go home. It may provide a temporary housing unit, like a trailer, if it is going to take a long time to fix the house.

How do I report damage?

How do I report damages to my home?

If your home is covered by insurance, contact them to make a claim. Do this first. Grants and loans cannot be given to fix the damage if it is covered by insurance. If the damage is done to your primary residence, you can fill out the assessment form. If your damage is at a summer home, you will not be able to get money. Visit the Maine Individual Damage Assessment Form (link) to complete a State Damage Assessment form. Information on these forms will be gathered to decide if Maine meets the damage threshold for damages to individuals.

Take pictures.

Take pictures of the damage to your house and property. You can add a couple of the best pictures to your damage assessment form. You can also repair the house before any assistance is available to you. You would be able to show that you need reimbursement for the repair if you can show the damage using pictures.

Do I have to file an insurance claim before I complete the disaster assessment form?

They can be done at the same time. Please file your insurance claim. The disaster assessment form needs to be filed within 10 days of the date of the disaster. If all the damage is not covered, and we are able to register with FEMA or the Small Business Administration for disaster assistance, the uninsured damage may be covered. FEMA cannot award funds if the damage repair costs have been covered by homeowner’s or flood insurance.   

What if my insurance claim is denied?

If your insurance claim was denied, the damage may be covered if we are able to get federal assistance. You should file a damage assessment form. 

I rent my home. How do I report damages?

If you rent your home, you may be able to register for Other Needs Assistance with FEMA. You can’t claim damage to the building. Your landlord must report the damage to your building. If an Individual Assistance Disaster Declaration happens, you can register with FEMA for money to help replace your individual property. You will need to check with your insurance company first. If the insurance company will pay to repair damages or replace property, you can’t ask for additional money.

You can also apply for rental assistance from FEMA.  

How do I report damages if I am the landlord?

Please file a claim with your insurance company, then complete the damage assessment form for small businesses (link). 

I live on the coast and have damage to my seawall and shoreline. Should I include it in the assessment?

Maybe. FEMA covers from the seawall to the primary residence, but not from the seawall to the shore. If your house is on an island, and a dock is the only way to access the house, it may be covered.  Also, if the seawall is close enough to the house that breaching the seawall can cause damage to the house, it may be covered.

I need help filling out the damage assessment. Who do I call?

If you need help filling out the damage assessment form, please contact 211. They can help explain the form and help you fill out the form. You can also call the Individual Assistance Officer at MEMA if you have general questions. You can call 207-624-4400 and ask for the Individual Assistance Officer.

What happens after I submit a damage assessment form?

I have filled out my damage assessment form. What happens next?

Filling out a damage assessment form does not mean you will get money. We will gather information about damages to primary residences and small businesses. If there is enough damage, we can ask for federal assistance. Watch the news, social media, and our website to see if an Individual Damage Declaration has been declared. You will have to register with FEMA at www.disasterassistance.gov (link). FEMA has a variety of disaster response programs. They will let you know which ones you can use.

Who decides if I am eligible for coverage?

FEMA decides whether you can get assistance. They also decide what types of assistance will be included. FEMA cannot make duplicate payments. Any damage that was reimbursed by insurance will not be covered by FEMA.

Do I have to apply to somewhere else after I finish the damage assessment?

You will complete the damage assessment on MEMA's website. If a Presidential Disaster Declaration occurs, you will have to register for assistance with FEMA at www.disasterassistance.gov (link). 

Maine can't get individual assistance. What happens next?

Maine may be able to ask for assistance from the Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA has different total damage limits than FEMA to be able to access their loan program. 

Any damage reported to the SBA must be larger than 40% of the fair market value of the property and be uninsured.

Here is an example. You own a home that is valued at $100,000. The storm caused $50,000 in damages. $45,000 was given to you by your insurance company after you filed a claim. $5,000 of the damage was not covered. It will need to be paid by you. You won’t be able to apply for SBA assistance. SBA only covers the uninsured or underinsured parts of your house. The home was insured and 40% of the fair market value of the home is $40,000. The $5,000 that you must pay is not more than 40% of the home value.

The SBA only gives out loans. They are given at a very low interest rate. You will need to pay them back.

If I fill out the damage assessment form, does that mean I will receive assistance?

If you fill out the Maine assessment form, there is no guarantee that you will get assistance. Please watch the news and our social media sites for news that a Presidential Disaster Declaration was made. Those news stores will tell you that funding is now available and how to register for assistance.

A Presidential Individual Assistance Disaster Declaration has been issued. Now what?

The President has made an Individual Assistance Declaration. What happens now?

Individuals can sign up for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). You will need to sign up for assistance at www.disasterassistance.gov (link). FEMA will decide if a grant will be given to you. Grants do not have to be repaid.  

You must call your insurance company and make a claim before signing up for assistance. The damage can’t be covered by insurance. If the insurance company gives you money for the damages, you cannot ask for the money from FEMA to cover the same damage. 

The most money you can get from a FEMA grant to help with housing costs in 2023 is $41,000. This could cover repair or money to pay for temporary housing. 

FEMA also gives Other Needs Assistance grants. They cover personal property such as cars, funerals, and medical equipment like wheelchairs and CPAPs. The most money you can receive from a FEMA grant for Other Needs Assistance in 2023 is $41,000.

The President signed an Individual Assistance Declaration. I did not fill out a damage assessment form. Can I still sign up for FEMA assistance?

Yes. You can sign up for FEMA assistance.

Individual Assistance Disaster Declarations are maybe by state and county. If your county has been given an Individual Assistance Disaster Declaration, please go to www.disasterassistance.gov (link) to sign up for federal assistance. If you are unsure if your county was included in the declaration, you can call 211 for help.

I heard about a Presidential Declaration for individuals. Can I sign up for aid?

Individual Assistance Disaster Declaration are made by state and county. If your county has been given a Presidential Disaster Declaration, please follow this link www.disasterassistance.gov (link) to sign up for federal assistance. If you are unsure if your county was included in the declaration, you can call 211 for help.  

If I take money from FEMA, will it affect my benefits?

Grants from FEMA are not taxable income. You don’t have to pay taxes on money you get from FEMA. You don’t have to worry about losing benefits like Social Security, Medicaid, welfare assistance, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, food stamps, Supplemental Income, Social Security Disability Insurance, or any other federal benefits.

If I take money from FEMA, do I have to pay it back?

No. FEMA provides grants which do not need to be paid back. The SBA provides loans that do need to be paid back.

What is Other Needs Assistance?

Other Needs Assistance is another type of assistance that FEMA can offer. You can get money to help with costs like:

  • transportation
  • child care
  • critical needs assistance
  • replacement of furniture and personal stuff
  • moving and storage assistance
  • medical and dental assistance
  • funeral assistance

FEMA will inform you of the Other Needs Assistance being offered and if you can receive it.

English is not my first language. Can FEMA help?

FEMA can get translators for lots of different languages. Ask for a translator when you call.

Business, Non-Profits, and Homeowners' Associations

How does the State determine that federal assistance is needed to support the recovery of small businesses?

In much the same way that we determine Maine’s eligibility to request federal disaster assistance, after any major weather event, Maine partners with counties to assess the extent of damages to small businesses. Should damages be substantial enough, even if a Presidential Disaster Declaration is not made, we can request assistance from the Small Business Administration (SBA) for low-rate loans.

The SBA offers disaster assistance in the form of low interest loans to businesses, nonprofit organizations, homeowners, and renters located in regions affected by declared disasters. SBA also provides eligible small businesses and nonprofit organizations with working capital to help overcome the economic injury of a declared disaster. Loans can cover lost property, business, non-profit organizations, or a homeowners’ association.

Businesses of any size and most private nonprofit organizations may apply to the SBA for a loan to recover after a disaster if a Federal or Agency Declaration has been made.

How do I report damages to my small business?

You will report damage using the Damage Assessment for Small Businesses (link). We will gather the data to determine if we are able to apply for Disaster Declaration from the President or from the SBA.