Vermont sometimes qualifies for an Individual Assistance disaster declaration to assist individuals in disaster recovery. This program does not make individuals whole; it provides financial resources to help pay for losses.
Assistance can be available for:
- Rental assistance
- Lodging expense reimbursement
- Home repair
- Home replacement
- Direct housing
- Loss of personal property including, but not limited to
- Furnishings, appliances, essential tools, and assistive equipment that supports daily living activities.
- Medical and Dental services that were necessary because of the storm.
- Funeral expenses
- Child Care costs incurred as a result of the disaster.
- Repair or replacement of vehicles
- Moving and storage expenses
- Cleaning and removal of contaminants
- Other critical needs for those who are displaced for their primary dwelling.
Non-monetary services:
- Crisis counseling
- Disaster unemployment
- Disaster Legal Services
- Disaster Case Management
Eligibility Criteria for Housing and Other Needs Assistance:
- Your disaster losses must be in a Presidentially declared disaster area;
- A member of your household must be a United States citizen, a non-citizen national, or a qualified alien;
- You have necessary expenses or serious needs as a result of the disaster that are not covered by insurance, or you filed an insurance claim but your benefits are not enough to cover your expenses, or your damage was not covered by insurance or other sources.
Maximum Award:
$41,000
The Individual Assistance Program is not intended to make survivors whole. It is to assist with immediate needs resulting from a disaster.
FEMA also works with the Small Business Administration which in some cases can provide additional assistance through low-interest loans. For more information visit www.sba.gov/