10/23/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/24/2024 07:34
FEMA is committed to helping all eligible Tennessee households recover from Tropical Storm Helene, including U.S. citizens, non-U.S. citizen nationals or qualified non-citizens.
You or a member of your household must be a U.S. citizen, non-U.S. citizen national or qualified non-citizen to apply for FEMA assistance. Families with diverse immigration status, including adults who are undocumented, can apply as long as at least one family member is a citizen, non-U.S. citizen national or qualified non-citizen. For instance, if you are undocumented and have a child under 18 who is a U.S. citizen and lived in the household during the time of the disaster, you may apply for FEMA assistance.
A qualified non-citizen includes:
For adults who apply on behalf of a minor child, the child must have a Social Security number and live with the parent or guardian who applies. The parent or guardian will not have to provide any information on their own immigration status or sign any documents regarding their status.
The minor child must be under age 18 as of the first day the major disaster began. In Tennessee, flooding from the Tropical Storm Helene disaster began Sept. 26, 2024.
See Citizenship and Immigration Status Requirements for more information in multiple languages at fema.gov/assistance/individual/program/citizenship-immigration-status.
If you're unsure of your immigration status, talk to an immigration expert to learn if your status falls within the requirements for FEMA disaster assistance.
Tennesseans living in Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi and Washington counties can apply for assistance.