Myths vs. Facts Regarding FEMA Disaster Assistance

Anchorage, Alaska - In the aftermath of a disaster, misconceptions about federal disaster assistance can often prevent survivors from applying for help. Below is some guidance to help better understand the myths versus facts of FEMA disaster assistance.

Myth: Registering for State of Alaska Individual Assistance automatically registered me for FEMA assistance.

Fact: FEMA's application is not connected to State of Alaska Individual Assistance. If you have damage, you should apply for both.

To Apply for State Individual Assistance
State designated areas include: North Slope Borough, Northwest Arctic Borough, Bering Straits Regional Education Attendance Area (REAA), Lower Yukon REAA, Yupiit REAA, Lower Kuskokwim REAA, Kashunamiut REAA, and Pribilof Islands REAA.

• Visit https://ready.alaska.gov/IA
• Call 1-844-445-7131 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

To Apply for FEMA Individual Assistance
FEMA designated areas include: Northwest Arctic Borough, Lower Yukon Regional Education Attendance Area (REAA), Lower Kuskokwim REAA, Kashunamiut REAA, Yupiit REAA and the City of Saint Mary's.

• Call the Alaska Call Center at 1-866-342-1699 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you need a reasonable accommodation, contact the Alaska Call Center.
• Register on DisasterAssistance.gov.
• Use the FEMA App
• Visit the Bethel Assistance Hub, 10 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, at AVCP Tugkar Building, 570 3^rd Ave., Bethel, AK 99559

Myth: I'm a renter. I thought FEMA assistance was only for homeowners.

Fact: FEMA assistance is not just for homeowners. FEMA may provide assistance to help renters who lost personal property or were displaced.

Myth: Calling 211 automatically registered me for FEMA assistance.

Fact: FEMA's application is not connected to 211. If you have damage, you should report it to 211 AND apply for FEMA assistance.

211 is run by the United Ways of Alaska. It connects callers to local health, employment, food and other community services.

When callers report damage, 211 reports it to the state, which helps the state direct resources where they need to go.

Myth: FEMA is running out of money.

Fact: FEMA has adequate funding to support all our current operations. Apply by the deadline of April 3, 2026, and if you qualify for assistance, you will receive it.

Myth: FEMA assistance could affect my Social Security benefits, taxes, food stamps or Medicaid.

Fact: FEMA assistance does not affect benefits from other federal programs and is not considered taxable income.

Myth: If I receive disaster assistance from FEMA, I will have to pay it back.

Fact: The money FEMA provides to disaster survivors are grants, which do not have to be repaid if utilized for their intended purpose.

Myth: I can't receive assistance if I've already cleaned up the damage.

Fact: You can still apply for FEMA assistance if you've completed repairs. Submit photos of the damage and receipts for all repairs with your application as assistance may be available.

Myth: If I disagree with a FEMA decision letter, I can only file an appeal once.

Fact: Every time you receive a determination letter from FEMA, you have the right to appeal.

With each appeal letter, you must include new documentation to support the claim and submit it within 60 days of the date on FEMA's letter. For help understanding your decision letter:

• Call the FEMA Alaska Call Center at 1-866-342-1699 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
• Visit the Bethel Assistance Hub (AVCP Tugkar Building at 570 3^rd Ave, Bethel, AK 99559) from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. FEMA staff can help explain what is needed for your application and the appeal process.

Myth: It's too late to apply with FEMA if I've already filed a claim with my insurance company, OR I must wait for my insurance claim to process before I apply with FEMA.

Fact: You don't need insurance to apply for FEMA assistance - and if you have it, you can apply before or after you file a claim, as long you apply by April 3, 2026. Make sure to update your application when you receive a settlement or statement of ineligibility, as FEMA needs to know what expenses your insurance will cover before it can process your application. FEMA does not duplicate benefits.

Myth: My income is too high or too low to qualify for FEMA assistance.

Fact: FEMA does not consider your income when evaluating your application.

However, you may be asked financial questions during the application process to help determine eligibility for the Small Business Administration's (SBA) long-term, low-interest disaster loans. Initial rental assistance is not income dependent; however Continued Temporary Housing Assistance (CTHA) is income dependent. It requires a secured lease obtained and receipts showing the initial rental assistance funds were used as intended. For additional guidance, please contact the FEMA Alaska Call Center at 1-844-445-7131.

Myth: U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loans can only help businesses.

Fact: The SBA is the largest source of federal disaster recovery funding. SBA offers long-term, low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, private nonprofit organizations and businesses of all sizes. SBA disaster loans have very favorable terms with fixed interest rates and automatic 12-month payment deferment with 0% interest for the first 12 months. For more information, call the SBA hotline at 800-659-2955, (dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services), email [email protected] or visit Disaster assistance | U.S. Small Business Administration.

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FEMA is committed to ensuring disaster assistance is accomplished impartially, without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status.

Any disaster survivor or member of the public may contact the FEMA Civil Rights Office if they feel that they have a complaint of discrimination. FEMA's Civil Rights Office can be contacted at FEMA-OCR-[email protected] or toll-free at 833-285-7448.

Follow FEMA Region 10 on X and LinkedIn for the latest updates and visit FEMA.gov for more information. Learn more at fema.gov/disaster/4893.

FEMA's mission is helping people before, during and after disasters.