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FEMA Individual Assistance (IA) Program

 

Helping You Recover After a Disaster

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When a major disaster strikes Clinton County, such as a severe storm or flood, the President may issue a federal disaster declaration. This declaration can make FEMA’s Individual Assistance (IA) program available to help families, renters, and small business owners recover from the damage. This page explains the types of assistance available and how to apply.  When might some of these program become available?  Check out this example scenario of a tornado striking Wilmington.

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FEMA’s IA program provides financial support and services to individuals whose homes or belongings were damaged, especially if they don’t have enough insurance or other help. This support is free and is meant to cover basic needs, not to restore everything to its pre-disaster condition.

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Who Can Apply for FEMA Help?

 

Understanding Who Qualifies

​You may be eligible for FEMA assistance if:

  • You live in Clinton County, and the area is included in the official federal disaster declaration.

  • You are a homeowner, renter, or small business owner.

  • You have serious damage or losses caused by the disaster.

  • You do not have insurance, or your insurance does not cover all your losses.

 

👉 Disaster Assistance website to enter your city and state or ZIP code to see if your area has been declared for Individual Assistance.

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FEMA determines eligibility based on your specific situation.

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Types of Help You May Receive

FEMA offers several types of assistance depending on your needs. Here’s a breakdown with simple explanations:

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​​1. Housing Assistance

Help With a Place to Stay or Fixing Your Home

​If your home was damaged or destroyed, FEMA can help with:

  • Temporary Housing – Paying for a hotel or assisting with rent if you can’t stay in your home.

  • Home Repairs – Funds for essential repairs to make your home safe and livable, such as fixing the roof, windows, floors, electrical, and plumbing systems.

  • Home Replacement – In some cases, providing funds to help replace a destroyed primary residence.

 

👉 To find a local shelter click here.

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This assistance is only for your main home—not for vacation homes or rental properties you own.

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2. Other Needs Assistance (ONA)

Help With Other Important Things You Lost

​This part of FEMA assistance covers non-housing needs that are essential for your recovery:

  • Personal Property Replacement – Help to replace essential items like furniture, appliances, clothing, and school supplies.

  • Medical and Dental Expenses – Coverage for injury-related expenses caused by the disaster.

  • Transportation – Assistance to repair or replace your primary vehicle damaged by the disaster.

  • Childcare – Help with increased childcare costs due to the disaster.

  • Funeral Expenses – If the disaster caused the death of a family member.

 

FEMA considers your income and the extent of your losses when determining eligibility for these types of assistance.

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3. State of Ohio Individual Assistance Program

Additional Help When Federal Aid Isn't Available

​Sometimes, a disaster may not qualify for federal assistance, but the State of Ohio has its own program to help residents with uninsured essential property damages or losses. This program provides grants to individuals and families with serious unmet needs not covered by insurance or other sources. To be eligible:

  • The disaster must be declared by local authorities, the Governor, and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

  • You must first apply for an SBA disaster loan and be denied or found ineligible.

  • Assistance focuses on essential repairs to owner-occupied residences and replacement of necessary personal property.

 

Not all damages may qualify, and eligibility is determined through inspections and documentation.

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4. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loans

Low-Interest Loans for Bigger Repairs

​Note: SBA disaster loans become available when a federal disaster declaration is issued. In certain cases, SBA assistance may be available through an administrative declaration without a presidential disaster declaration.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers low-interest disaster loans to help homeowners, renters, and businesses repair or replace property damaged by a disaster. This is often a primary form of disaster assistance. SBA offers several types of loans:

  • Physical Damage Loans

    • Homeowners may borrow up to $500,000 to repair or replace their primary residence.

    • Homeowners and renters can borrow up to $100,000 to replace personal property, such as furniture or vehicles.

  • Mitigation Assistance

    • SBA may increase the loan amount by up to 20% of the verified physical damage to cover the costs of improvements that will protect the property against future disasters.

  • Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL)

    • Available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and most private nonprofit organizations.

    • Provides working capital to help businesses meet financial obligations that cannot be met due to the disaster.

    • The maximum combined loan amount for physical damage and economic injury is $2 million.

 

Application Process:

SBA disaster loans become available when a federal disaster declaration is issued. In certain cases, SBA assistance may be available through an administrative declaration without a presidential disaster declaration.​

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Applicants can apply online at SBA's Disaster Loan Assistance portal, in person at a Disaster Recovery Center, or by calling SBA's Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955.​

Applying for an SBA loan is a common step in the disaster recovery process and can be crucial for individuals and businesses seeking to rebuild and recover.

Applying for an SBA loan is a common step in the disaster recovery process.  Applicants can apply online at SBA's Disaster Loan Assistance portal, in person at a Disaster Recovery Center, or by calling SBA's Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955.

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5. Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)

Help If You Lost Your Job Because of the Disaster

​If you can’t work because of the disaster and don’t qualify for regular unemployment benefits, this program may help:

  • It’s for people who are self-employed, farmers, or others who don’t have regular jobs.

  • You must show that your income was directly affected by the disaster.

You apply for this through the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, but it is funded by FEMA.

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6. Crisis Counseling Assistance

Support for Mental and Emotional Health

​Disasters can be very stressful. This program offers:

  • Free, confidential mental health support from trained counselors.

  • Support for children and adults who feel overwhelmed, anxious, or sad after a disaster.

This assistance is available without needing to apply and can be accessed in person, by phone, or online.

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7. Disaster Legal Services

Free Legal Help After a Disaster

If you have legal issues related to the disaster and have low income, FEMA can connect you to free lawyers who can help with:

  • Insurance claims.

  • Problems with landlords or evictions.

  • Replacing important documents like birth certificates.

  • Other disaster-related legal matters.

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How to Apply for FEMA Assistance

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Simple Steps to Get Started

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Once Clinton County is approved for Individual Assistance, here’s how to apply:

  1. Online: Visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

  2. Phone: Call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).

  3. FEMA App: Use the FEMA mobile app on your smartphone.

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👉 To find a Disaster Resource Center (DRC) hear you, click here.

 

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You will need:

  • Social Security number (yours or a child’s if applying for the household).

  • Phone number and current address.

  • Bank account information (for direct deposit).

  • Insurance information (if you have any).

  • A description of the damage to your home or property.  Have photos for reference (before disaster, immediately following disaster before clean-up begins).

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Important Tips

 

What You Should Know Before and After You Apply:

  • Take photos of all damage before cleaning up or making repairs.

  • Save all receipts from cleanup, repairs, or temporary living expenses.

  • FEMA assistance is limited—it won’t cover all losses or restore your property to its pre-disaster condition.

  • You may be referred to the Small Business Administration (SBA) for a low-interest disaster loan to help with larger losses.

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FEMA Individual Assistance - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Helping You Understand What Help Is Available After a Disaster

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1. What is FEMA Individual Assistance?

FEMA Individual Assistance is a federal program that helps people recover after a disaster. It can give you money to help with serious damage to your home or personal property, and may also help pay for temporary housing, medical costs, or replacing certain items.

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2. Do I have to pay this money back?

No. If you qualify, the money from FEMA is a grant, not a loan. You do not have to pay it back.

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3. I rent my home. Can I still get help?

Yes. Renters can get help to replace personal belongings like furniture, clothes, or appliances. You might also get help with rent or temporary housing if your apartment is not safe to live in.

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4. I live in a mobile home. Can I get help?

Yes. FEMA can help fix or replace mobile homes if they were your main place of living and were damaged by the disaster.

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5. I’m a homeowner. What help can I get?

If you own your home and it was damaged, FEMA may help pay to make your home safe and livable again. This could include things like fixing the roof, plumbing, or windows. If your home was destroyed, you might get help to replace it.

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6. What if I’m low-income or on Social Security?

FEMA help is not based on income alone, and you can still apply. Even if you receive Social Security, disability, or other assistance, you may qualify for help if you have disaster-related losses.

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7. I don’t have insurance. Can FEMA help me?

Yes. If you don’t have insurance, or your insurance doesn’t cover all the damage, you may be eligible for FEMA assistance. You must still file an insurance claim if you have coverage.

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8. I’m unemployed because of the disaster. Is there help for that?

Yes. Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) may be available if you lost your job or can’t work because of the disaster, and you don’t qualify for regular unemployment benefits.

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9. I’m a farmer. Does FEMA help with damage to my crops or barns?

FEMA Individual Assistance does not cover farm crops or business losses. However, you may qualify for other help through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) or SBA Disaster Loans.

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10. I own a rental property. Can FEMA help me fix it?

No. FEMA only helps with your main home. If you rent out property, you would need to apply for a Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loan for repairs.

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11. What if I lost my car in the storm?

If the car was your main vehicle and it was damaged because of the disaster, FEMA may help you repair or replace it.

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12. Do I need to keep receipts or take pictures?

Yes. Take photos of damage before cleaning up, and save all receipts for repairs, hotel stays, or other costs related to the disaster. This helps FEMA understand your needs.

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13. What if I’m not sure I qualify? Should I still apply?

Yes. Always apply. There’s no penalty for applying, and FEMA will review your case and let you know if you’re eligible.

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14. What if I don’t agree with FEMA’s decision?

You can appeal. That means you can send more information and ask FEMA to review your case again. There are instructions in your FEMA letter about how to appeal.

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15. How do I apply for FEMA help?

Once Clinton County is included in a federal disaster declaration, you can apply:

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16. I don’t use the internet or have a computer. Can someone help me?

Yes. You can call FEMA by phone, or go to a local Disaster Recovery Center if one opens in Clinton County. You can also contact the Clinton County EMA at (937) 382-6673, and we’ll guide you through the process.

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