Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

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Federal Public Assistance

The Federal Public Assistance (PA) Program helps states, territories, tribes, local governments, and some private non-profits clean up debris, take emergency actions, and repair or rebuild damaged public buildings and infrastructure. This support helps communities recover faster after a major disaster or emergency declared by the President.
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Federal Individual Assistance

Federal Individual Assistance (IA) can provide financial and direct services to individuals and families for temporary housing, home repairs, and other disaster-related costs. Individuals must be recovering from a Presidentially Declared Disaster. 
This program helps meet basic needs and covers uninsured or underinsured losses, such as temporary housing, home repairs, and replacing personal property, medical, dental, and funeral expenses.
 
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Presidential Disaster Declarations

A presidential disaster declaration is a formal statement by the President of the United States that a major disaster or emergency exists, making federal aid available to state and local governments and individuals. This declaration is issued at the request of a governor. A Presidential Disaster Declaration  request must show that the disaster has overwhelmed state and local resources.
Once declared, the federal government can provide a wide variety of programs to support recovery and rebuilding.

Historic Declarations

A Presidential Disaster Declaration was declared in Iowa for three weather events in the Spring of 2024. Below are the events and counties that were eligible for Federal Individual Assistance programs:

March 19, 2025 Severe Winter Weather
Crawford, Harrison, Monona, and Woodbury Counties
FEMA DR-4870
Application Deadline: June 20, 2025

April 26-27, 2024 Severe Storms and Tornadoes
Clarke, Harrison, Mills, Polk, Pottawattamie, Ringgold, Shelby, and Union Counties
FEMA DR-4779-IA
Application Deadline: August 23, 2024

May 20-31, 2024 Severe Storms 
Adair, Adams, Cedar, Jasper, Montgomery, Polk, and Story Counties 
FEMA DR-4784-IA
Application Deadline: August 23, 2024

June 16- July 23, 2024 Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes
Buena Vista, Cherokee, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Humboldt, Lyon, Monona, O'Brien, Osceola, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Pottawattamie, Scott, Sioux, and Woodbury Counties
FEMA-DR-4796-IA
Application Deadline: October 22, 2024

Announcement of Initial Public Notice

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) hereby gives notice to the public of its intent to provide financial assistance to the State of Iowa, local and Tribal governments, and eligible private nonprofit organizations under major disaster declarations FEMA-4779-4784-4796-DR-IA. This notice applies to the Individual Assistance (IA), Public Assistance (PA), and Hazard Mitigation Grant (HMGP) programs implemented under the authority of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, as amended.

Apply for FEMA disaster assistance

DisasterAssistance.gov

4 Ways to Apply
1. Online: DisasterAssistance.gov 
2. Download the FEMA app
3. Call 800-621-3362
4. Visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC)

Go to DisasterAssistance.gov
4 ways to apply for disaster assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov. Online, FEMA app, Call 800-621-3362, or In-person at a disaster recovery center.

Anyone using a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, can give FEMA the number for that service. View an accessible video on three ways to apply for FEMA assistance.

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How to Appeal a FEMA Decision

You can appeal any FEMA decision or award amount by sending documents that show you qualify and need more help, like estimates for repairs, receipts, bills, etc. Each decision letter you receive from FEMA explains types of documents that may help you appeal your FEMA’s decision or award amount for that type of assistance.

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