Renters and Students can Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance

FEMA disaster assistance is not just for homeowners. Renters, including students, can apply for FEMA assistance. If you rent in Lincoln County and have damage or losses from the severe storms, floods and landslides that started June 23, you can apply with FEMA. Assistance can cover losses such as damaged furniture, job-related equipment or your primary vehicle and some medical and dental bills.

FEMA Individual Assistance for Renters

Your first step is to file an insurance claim. For any uninsured losses, you can apply for FEMA disaster assistance. Grants are available to homeowners and renters, including students, and may be used to help pay for temporary housing. The initial rental housing grant is for a one-month or two-month period and can be reviewed for further assistance.

Under FEMA's Other Needs Assistance program, you may also qualify for help with uninsured essential personal property losses and other disaster-related expenses. These may include:

• Replacement or repair of necessary personal property such as furniture, appliances, clothing, textbooks or school supplies
• Replacement or repair of tools and other job-related equipment required if you are self-employed
• Primary vehicles
• Uninsured or out-of-pocket medical, dental, childcare and moving and storage expenses

How do you apply for assistance?

• The fastest way to apply is online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
• You can get in-person help with your application at the State Disaster Resource Center located at Eastern New Mexico University - Ruidoso Annex, 709 Mechem Dr., Ruidoso, NM 88345. Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
• Use the FEMA App, available on mobile devices.
• You can call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. MT. If you use a relay service, captioned telephone or other service, you can give FEMA your number for that service. Help is available in most languages. Press 2 for Spanish.

For an accessible video on how to apply for assistance, go to Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube.

For the latest information about New Mexico's recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4886. Follow FEMA Region 6 on Facebook at facebook.com/femaregion6 and on X at x.com/FEMARegion6