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You may be eligible for 11 forms of assistance.


Forms of Assistance You Can Apply for Online
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FEMA Housing Portal
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Program Description
The FEMA Housing Portal is intended to help individuals and families who have been displaced by a disaster find a place to live. The portal consolidates rental resources to help individuals and families find available rental units in their area. Rental resources are identified and provided by Federal agencies such as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Veterans Administration, as well as by private organizations and individuals.
General Program Requirements
In the advanced search criteria users can search for properties that meet their living needs and/or accept specific assistance programs. The relevant advanced search criteria are listed below:
  • Pets accepted
  • Section 8
  • Accessible
Application Process
No application is necessary to use the FEMA Housing Portal website.
Program Contact Information
To start searching for housing, visit:
https://asd.fema.gov/inter/hportal/home.htm
Managing Agency
U.S. Department of Homeland Security http://www.dhs.gov/
Home and Property Disaster Loans
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Program Description
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is responsible for providing affordable, timely and accessible financial assistance to homeowners and renters located in a declared disaster area. Financial assistance is available in the form of low-interest, long-term loans for losses that are not fully covered by insurance or other recoveries.

SBA's disaster loans are the primary form of Federal assistance for the repair and rebuilding of non-farm, private sector disaster losses. The disaster loan program is the only form of SBA assistance not limited to small businesses.

Homeowners can apply for a real property loan for up to $200,000 to repair or replace their primary residence to its pre-disaster condition. The loan may not be used to upgrade the home or make additions to it. If, however, building codes require structural improvements to repair the disaster damage, the loan may be used to meet these requirements. Loans may be increased by as much as 20 percent of the verified losses (not to exceed $200,000) to protect the damaged real property from possible future disasters of the same kind.

Homeowners or renters can apply for a personal property loan for up to $40,000 to help repair or replace personal property, such as clothing, furniture, automobiles, etc., lost in the disaster. As a rule of thumb, personal property is anything that is not considered real estate or a part of the actual structure. This loan may not be used to replace extraordinarily expensive or irreplaceable items, such as antiques, collections, pleasure boats, recreational vehicles, fur coats, etc.
General Program Requirements
To be eligible for SBA assistance, homeowners and renters must have sustained physical damage and be located in a disaster declared county.
Application Process
For application information, please call 1-800-659-2955, visit http://www.sba.gov/content/home-and-personal-property-loans or email DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov.
Program Contact Information
For more information about this program, please visit: http://www.sba.gov/content/home-and-personal-property-loans
Managing Agency
U.S. Small Business Administration http://www.sba.gov
Individuals and Households Program - Housing Assistance
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Program Description
The Individuals and Households Program (IHP) provides assistance to individuals and households affected by a disaster to enable them to address necessary expenses and serious needs, which cannot be met through other forms of disaster assistance or insurance. Forms of housing assistance under IHP include temporary housing, repair, replacement, and semi-permanent/permanent housing construction.
General Program Requirements
To receive money or help for housing needs that are the result of a disaster, all of the following must be true:
  • You have losses in an area that has been declared a disaster by the President of the United States
  • You have no insurance, or have filed for insurance benefits and the damage to your property is not covered by your insurance, or your insurance settlement is insufficient to meet your losses
  • You or someone who lives with you is a citizen of the United States, a non-citizen national, or a qualified alien
  • The home in the disaster area is where you usually live and where you were living at the time of the disaster
  • You are not able to live in your home now, you cannot get to your home due to the disaster, or your home requires repairs because of damage from the disaster.
Application Process
To begin the assistance registration process, visit Start Registration.
Program Contact Information
You can visit a local Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) for assistance, or call the FEMA Helpline to register for disaster assistance or ask questions about your application:
1-800-621-3362

For people with speech or hearing disabilities, call:
TTY: 1-800-462-7585
Managing Agency
U.S. Department of Homeland Security http://www.dhs.gov/
Social Security Administration (SSA) Change of Address
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Program Description
Social Security provides retirement, disability, family and survivors benefits to workers and their dependents if they meet certain requirements. If you are already receiving Social Security benefits you may change your address with them.
General Program Requirements
This online assistance is available if you receive Social Security benefits and want to change your mailing address.
Application Process
For more information, see the Program Contact Information below.
Program Contact Information
If you want to know about other options for completing this request, you may visit Social Security's website at:
http://www.ssa.gov/coa/

Or call:
1-800-772-1213

If you are deaf or hard of hearing, call the following toll-free "TTY" number; representatives are available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.:
1-800-325-0778
Managing Agency
U.S. Social Security Administration http://www.socialsecurity.gov
Forms of Assistance without Online Applications
203(h) Mortgage Insurance for Disaster Victims and 203(k) Rehabilitation Mortgage Insurance
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Program Description
Section 203(h) Mortgage Insurance for Disaster Victims helps survivors in presidentially-designated disaster areas to obtain mortgages to purchase a new home or rebuild their home that was damaged by a disaster.

Section 203(k) Rehabilitation Mortgage Insurance enables homebuyers and homeowners to either finance both the purchase (or refinancing) of a house and the cost of its rehabilitation through a single mortgage, or finance the rehabilitation of their existing home. Money may be used for rehabilitation efforts ranging from relatively minor to virtual reconstruction. Section 203(k) insured loans can finance the rehabilitation of the residential portion of a property that also has non-residential uses and they can cover the conversion of a property of any size to a one- to four- unit structure.
General Program Requirements
In order to be eligible for Section 203(h) Mortgage Insurance for Disaster Victims, you must be a homeowner of a one-family home that was destroyed during a presidentially-declared disaster. The home in question must also be your primary residence.

In order to be eligible for Section 203(k) Rehabilitation Mortgage Insurance, you must be able to make monthly mortgage payments and be rehabilitating a home that is at least one year old.
Application Process
To apply, please contact a Federal Housing Administration (FHA)-approved lender at:
http://hud.gov/ll/code/llslcrit.cfm
Program Contact Information
For more information on the Section 203h Mortgage Insurance for Disaster Victims program, visit:
http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/ins/203h-dft.cfm

For more information on the Section 203(k) Rehabilitation Mortgage Insurance program, visit:
http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/203k/203kmenu.cfm

If you have additional questions, contact our FHA Resource Center at:
http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/fharesourcectr.cfm

Or call:
1-800-CALL-FHA (1-800-225-5342)

You can also locate your local FHA Homeownership Center at:
http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hoc/hsghocs.cfm You may also email us at:
info@fhaoutreach.com
Managing Agency
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development http://www.hud.gov/
HUD Public Housing Program
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Program Description
Public housing was established to provide decent and safe rental housing for eligible low-income families. Public housing comes in all sizes and types, from scattered single family houses to highrise apartments for elderly families.
General Program Requirements
Public housing is limited to low-income families and individuals and eligibility is based on annual gross income and U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status. If you are eligible, a public housing agency will check your references to make sure you and your family will be good tenants. Any applicant whose habits and practices may be expected to have a detrimental effect on other tenants or on the project's environment will be denied.
Application Process
If you are interested in applying for a voucher, contact your local Public Housing Agency (PHA):
http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/pha/contacts/
Program Contact Information
For further assistance, please contact the HUD Office nearest to you:
http://www5.hud.gov:63001/po/i/netlocator/

For additional information, please contact the PIH Customer Service Center at:
http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/about/css.cfm Or you may call us Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST), at:
1-800-955-2232 You may also visit our website at:
http://www.hud.gov/renting/phprog.cfm
Managing Agency
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development http://www.hud.gov/
Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8)
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Program Description
The housing choice voucher program provides assistance to very low-income families to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing. Housing can include single-family homes, townhouses and apartments and is not limited to units located in subsidized housing projects.
General Program Requirements
Housing choice vouchers are administered locally by public housing agencies (PHAs). A family that is issued a housing voucher is responsible for finding a suitable housing unit of the family's choice where the owner agrees to rent under the program. A housing subsidy is paid to the landlord directly by the PHA on behalf of the participating family. The family then pays the difference between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the amount subsidized by the program.
Application Process
If you are interested in applying for a voucher, contact your local Public Housing Agency (PHA):
http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/public_indian_housing/pha/contacts
Program Contact Information
For further assistance, please contact the HUD Office nearest to you:
http://www5.hud.gov:63001/po/i/netlocator/

For additional information, please contact the PIH Customer Service Center at:
http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/about/css.cfm Or you may call us Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST), at:
1-800-955-2232 You may also visit our website at:
http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/programs/hcv/about/fact_sheet.cfm
Managing Agency
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development http://www.hud.gov/
Rural Housing Loans
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Program Description
Direct and guaranteed loans may be used to buys, build, or improve the applicant's permanent residence. New manufactured homes may be financed when they are on a permanent site, purchased from an approved dealer or contractor, and meet certain other requirements. Under very limited circumstances, homes may be re-financed with direct loans. Dwellings financed must be modest, decent, safe, and sanitary. The value of a home financed with a direct loan may not exceed the area limit. The property must be located in an eligible rural area. Assistance is available in the States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana's, and the Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands. Direct loans are made at the interest rate specified in RD Instruction 440.1, Exhibit B (available at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/SupportDocuments/04401.pdf or in any Rural Development local office).
General Program Requirements
In order to qualify for this benefit program, applicants must have very low, low or moderate incomes. Very low income is defined as below 50 percent of the area median income (AMI); low income is between 50 and 80 percent of AMI; moderate income is below 115 percent of AMI. Families must be without adequate housing, but able to afford the housing payments, including principal, interest, taxes, and insurance (PITI). Qualifying repayment ratios are 29 percent for PITI to 41 percent for total debt. In addition, applicants must be unable to obtain credit elsewhere, yet have an acceptable credit history. You must also be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Application Process
Interested applicants should contact their local USDA Rural Development field office for more information. To obtain contact information for the field office nearest you, visit http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app.

All applications for loans and grants are handled at the local level. For help with an application, contact your Rural Development office at:
202-720-4323
Program Contact Information
For more information about the Guaranteed Loan program, visit: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/ For more information about the Direct Loan program, visit: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/ More on Rural Development Housing & Community Facilities Programs: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/common/program_info.htm#SFH
Managing Agency
U.S. Department of Agriculture http://www.usda.gov/
Rural Housing: Housing Repair Loans and Grants
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Program Description
The Rural Housing Repair Loans and Grants program provides loans and grants to very low-income homeowners to repair, improve, modernize, or to remove health and safety hazards in their rural dwellings. Loans are arranged for up to 20 years at one percent interest. Grants may be arranged for recipients who are 62 years of age or older and can be used only to pay for repairs and improvements to remove health and safety hazards. Loan/grant combinations may be arranged for applicants who can repay part of the cost. Very low income for this program is defined as below 50 percent of the area median income.
General Program Requirements
The Rural Housing: Housing Repair Loans and Grants program provides loans and grants to very low-income homeowners to repair, improve, or modernize their dwellings or to remove health and safety hazards. Furthermore, you must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident who lives in a rural area.
Application Process
To apply for a loan or grant online go to http://www.sc.egov.usda.gov, or you may contact your State's Rural Development field office using this office locator tool:
http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app
Program Contact Information
For more information about the housing repair loan program, visit:
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/
If you are 62 years or older, you may qualify for a housing repair grant. For more information about this program, visit: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/ More on Rural Development Housing & Community Facilities Programs: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/common/program_info.htm#SFH
Managing Agency
U.S. Department of Agriculture http://www.usda.gov/
Rural Rental Housing
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Program Description
Low-income rental and cooperative housing is available for low-income rural residents. Listings of participating housing projects are available through each State's Rural Development office. Potential applicants must apply directly to building management to determine eligibility for housing.
General Program Requirements
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must live in a rural area and characterize your financial situation as low income or very low income.
Application Process
Interested applicants should contact the owner or manager of the rental or cooperative housing facility to determine eligibility for housing. For a listing of low-income rental and cooperative housing in your area, contact your state's Rural Development field office using this office locator tool:
http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app
Program Contact Information
For more information, visit:
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/common/program_info.htm#SFH
Managing Agency
U.S. Department of Agriculture http://www.usda.gov/
U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Change of Address
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Program Description
The USPS Change of Address feature allows users to submit an order to forward mail to a new address provided by the user. This feature is intended to help those who have been affected by a disaster and need to have their mail sent to a new address, either permanently or temporarily.
General Program Requirements
Anyone can use this feature if they need to have their mail forwarded to a new address as a result of a permanent move or temporary relocation.
Application Process
There are three ways you can change your address:

1.Visit https://moversguide.usps.com/. Safeguard your personal information with identity validation by a simple $1 charge to your credit or debit card.
2.Call the USPS Call Center at 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777).
3.Fill out and submit PS Form 3575, which you can pick up at any U.S. Post Office, and submit it at the Post Office. The form may be submitted at any U.S. Post Office, mailed to any Post Office, or provided to any Postal Mail Carrier.
Program Contact Information
To email us, please visit: http://www.usps.com/customerservice/welcome.htm
Managing Agency
U.S. Postal Service http://www.usps.com
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