FEMA News Release Ownership Proof (English and Spanish)
News Release
How to Document Home Ownership and Occupancy for FEMA
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – As part of the disaster assistance process, FEMA must determine ownership and occupancy of damaged primary residences. Recently, the agency took steps to make it easier for disaster survivors in Buncombe, Haywood and Transylvania counties who experienced flooding from Tropical Storm Fred to verify ownership and occupancy.
Owners and renters must be able to prove they occupied the disaster-damaged primary residence before receiving Housing Assistance and some types of Other Needs Assistance. FEMA now accepts a broader range of documentation:
Ownership:
- Previously, homeowners had to provide official documentation to prove ownership. These documents may still be provided to verify ownership:
- The original deed or deed of trust to the property
- A mortgage statement or escrow analysis
- Property tax receipt or property tax bill
- Manufactured home certificate or title
- FEMA will now accept a public official’s letter or receipts for major repairs or improvements.
- Survivors with heirship properties, mobile homes or travel trailers who do not have the traditional documentation of ownership may self-certify ownership as a last resort.
- Homeowners with the same address from a previous disaster only need to verify ownership one time. FEMA has also expanded the date of eligible documents from three months to one year before the disaster.
Occupancy:
- Homeowners and renters must document that they occupied the dwelling at the time of the disaster.
- Applicants may provide official occupancy documentation, such as:
- Utility bills, bank or credit card statements, phone bills, etc.
- Employer’s statement
- Written lease agreement
- Rent receipts
- Public official’s statement
- FEMA will now accept motor vehicle registration, letters from local schools (public or private), federal or state benefit providers, social service organizations or court documents.
- Applicants can also use a signed statement from a commercial or mobile home park owner, or self-certification for a mobile home or travel trailer as a last resort.
- If survivors have successfully verified occupancy to FEMA from a previous disaster within a two-year period, they do not need to do it again.
Applicants in North Carolina who need free legal assistance regarding home ownership documentation and cannot afford an attorney may call the Disaster Legal Aid hotline at 866-219-5262. Hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Extended hours on Monday and Thursdays are from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. More information is available at www.legalaidnc.org/.
To apply for FEMA disaster assistance, go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, call 800-621-3362, or use the FEMA app for smartphones. If you use a relay service, such as a videophone, InnoCaption or CapTel, give FEMA the number for that service. Lines are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. local time, seven days a week. The deadline for applications is Nov. 8, 2021.
For an accessible video on how to apply for FEMA assistance, go to youtube.com/watch?v=WZGpWI2RCNw.
For more information about Tropical Storm Fred recovery in North Carolina, visit fema.gov/disaster/4617. Follow us on Twitter: @NCEmergency and @FEMARegion4.
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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.
La Asistencia de
FEMA para
reparaciones
requiere
comprobante de
titularidad
Para comprobar la titularidad, los solicitantes pueden presentar los siguientes documentos:
DOCUMENTOS PARA COMPROBAR LA TITULARIDAD
• Contratos de compra de vivienda (excluye
los contratos de alquiler con opción a
compra)
• Último testamento (y acta de defunción)
en el que se nombra al solicitante
heredero de la propiedad
• Escritura o título de propiedad
• Documentación de la hipoteca
• Documentación del seguro de la vivienda
• Recibo del impuesto sobre la propiedad o
factura del impuesto sobre la propiedad
• Certificado de propiedad de una casa
prefabricada
Los recibos de reparaciones mayores
o el mantenimiento pueden ser
aceptables si no existe otra
documentación.
La forma más rápida y fácil de enviar a FEMA sus documentos para comprobar la
titularidad es subiéndolos en línea en DisasterAssistance.gov/es.
Llame a la línea de ayuda de FEMA al
800-621-3362 (presione 2 para español).
Si utiliza un servicio de retransmisión como
videoteléfono, InnoCaption o CapTel, proporcione a
FEMA su número específico asignado a este servicio
La Asistencia de
FEMA requiere
comprobante de
ocupación
Los propietarios e inquilinos que solicitan asistencia de FEMA deben poder comprobar
que habitaban en la vivienda antes de poder recibir la mayoría de los tipos de asistencia.
Conozca cuáles documentos puede presentar.
DOCUMENTOS PARA COMPROBAR LA OCUPACIÓN
• Licencia de conducir, tarjeta de
identificación emitida por el
estado o tarjeta de registro
electoral
• Declaración de un funcionario
público
• Contrato de alquiler o de vivienda
• Recibos de pago del alquiler
• Facturas de servicios públicos
(electricidad, agua/alcantarillado, etc.)
• Talón de nómina
• Estado de cuenta bancario o de
tarjeta de crédito
Todos los documentos que
presente deberán incluir su
nombre y dirección.
La forma más rápida y fácil de enviar a FEMA sus documentos para comprobar la
ocupación es subiéndolos en línea en DisasterAssistance.gov/es.
Llame a la línea de ayuda de FEMA al
800-621-3362 (presione 2 para español).
Si utiliza un servicio de retransmisión como
videoteléfono, InnoCaption o CapTel, proporcione a
FEMA su número específico asignado a este servicio.
