Help Available for Denied FEMA Claims
Free help is available for Florida homeowners to appeal denied FEMA claims after Hurricanes Helene and Milton. A national nonprofit offers one-on-one assistance.
WASHINGTON — More than 1.4 million Florida households submitted FEMA disaster assistance applications after federal declarations following Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Many of those applications were either denied or left in limbo.
Now, there's help available through SBP, a national disaster recovery nonprofit, that is offering free assistance in Florida to uninsured and underinsured homeowners affected by the storms. The organization is helping residents file FEMA appeals — a process that can unlock critical funding for home repairs, temporary housing, and essential personal property.
Important to know:
While the initial FEMA application deadline has passed, survivors can still appeal decisions multiple times within FEMA's 18-month assistance window.
Appeals can result in additional aid, but fewer than 5% of applicants typically take that next step. SBP specialists provide one-on-one help to guide homeowners through the appeal process.
In Helene-affected counties:
- Up to $42,500 for home repair/replacement
- Up to $42,500 for other needs (e.g., personal property, temporary housing)
In Milton-affected counties:
- Up to $43,600 for home repair/replacement
- Up to $43,600 for other needs
According to FEMA data, 66–87% of disaster applications are denied. However, with proper support, appeals are often successful. Since 2020, SBP's Disaster Assistance Program has helped 1,300+ households recover over $5.6 million in FEMA awards through appeals.
"Helping impacted individuals submit FEMA appeals not only helps survivors recover," said SBP Disaster Assistance Program Director Claire Balsley. "It also ensures that adequate resources are directed to communities for long-term recovery through HUD's CDBG-DR grant funds."
If you were living in your home at the time of the disasters (Sept. 28 or Oct. 9, 2024) and were denied FEMA aid, SBP's team can help you appeal—for free.
Homeowners can get assistance with FEMA appeals in one of three ways:
Emailing femahelp@sbpusa.org.
Call the SBP support team at: 1-800-276-9511.
Affected Florida residents can submit as many appeals as needed for FEMA assistance up to approximately 18 months from the date of the Florida federal disaster declaration.
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