Individual Assistance

Following a large scale event, normally affecting multiple counties, the President may make a Federal Declaration of Major Disaster. Should a declaration providing for Individual Assistance be made, the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Individuals and Households Program may provide up to $42,500 (amount updated annually on 1 Oct.) of assistance to qualified households.

The Individuals and Households Program has two components:

  1. Housing Assistance, which provides for repairs to damaged homes
  2. Other Needs Assistance, which provides for replacement of essential goods and services such as vehicles, essential appliances, and child care.

Following a Presidential Declaration of Major Disaster, instructions for FEMA registration will be distributed via news release and through traditional and social media. Additionally, in counties which are included in a Major Declaration for Individual Assistance, FEMA and the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency may establish Joint Disaster Recovery Centers - mobile or fixed locations where affected individuals can register for Federal Assistance and receive other vital services from federal, state and local agencies and organizations such as the Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Public Health and the Department of Human Services and assistance with insurance claims.

Visit DisasterAssistance.gov and FEMA Individual Assistance for more information.