Disaster Recovery

Dozens of small and large natural disasters impact communities across the United States every year. Whether you experienced a house fire, a hurricane, a flood, or another type of disaster, we are here to help. You can find helpful resources on this page but can always call 211 to speak to a local specialist today. 

• Apply for FEMA Assistance

  When disasters receive an official declaration from the federal government, individuals impacted by that disaster may be eligible for individual assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

  • Go to DisasterAssistance.gov and search for your location to determine if you are eligible.
  • If eligible, apply online and use the same site to check the status of your application.
  • FEMA offers other disaster assistance resources for individuals impacted by disasters, including help for business owners and medical expenses. Learn more about all the FEMA Individual Assistance options here.

  Applying for FEMA assistance online is usually faster, but if you prefer to talk to someone you can also call 1-800-621-3362.

• Legal Assistance

  Many states impacted by larger natural disasters have designated legal hotlines that can connect you with legal resources specific to your situation. 

  Visit the American Bar Association's website here to find a hotline in your state.

  You can also find legal assistance related to disasters at the National Disaster Legal Aid Resource Center.

• Mental Health Support

  If you or a loved one is having a difficult time coping with the aftermath of a disaster, the Disaster Distress Helpline is available 24/7 and in many languages. The helpline is staffed by trained crisis counselors. From the United States and its territories, call or text 1-800-985-5990 to connect with a trained crisis counselor, 24/7.

  Spanish-speakers can call the hotline and press “2” for bilingual support. Callers to the hotline can also connect with counselors in over 100 other languages via 3rd-party interpretation services; to connect with a counselor in your primary language, simply indicate your preferred language to the responding counselor and she/he will connect to a live interpreter (interpretation in less commonly-spoken languages may require calling back at an appointed time). 

• Helping Children Cope

  Disasters can leave children and teens feeling frightened, confused, and insecure. Their responses can be quite varied. It's important to not only recognize these reactions, but also help children cope with their emotions.

  • FEMA's website Ready.gov offers tips and resources to help parents and other caregivers support children and teens impacted by disasters. 
  • If you had to relocate temporarily or permanently after a disaster, there are several steps you can take to help your child or teen adjust. Visit HealthyChildren.org for tips, resources, and additional support.
  • Experts recommend that helping children be more prepared for disasters helps them be more resilient after one. For age-appropriate resources, activity guides, and information, visit the Ready Kids page on Ready.gov.