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Help for Natural Disaster Victims

Produced by Massachusetts Justice Project
Reviewed Septmeber, 2021

You can get help if a natural disaster hurts or destroys your home.

FEMA

If you have insurance, get in touch with your insurance agency before you register with FEMA. 

Before you register with FEMA, collect:

  • Your Social Security number,
  • Your current mailing address,
  • The address of the damaged property,
  • A brief description of the damages,
  • Any insurance information, including the policy number and the name of your agent, and
  • A phone number where you can be reached.

Register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Register even if you are not sure you can get help.

  • Call (800) 621-FEMA, or (800) 621-3362;
  • The TTY line number for the hearing impaired is (800) 462-7585 or use 711 Video Relay Service to call 1-621-3362
  • Apply online
  • Use your smartphone m.fema.gov.

You may have difficulty getting through. Keep trying.

See 3 Steps to FEMA Disaster Assistance.

If your housing has been condemned, it is very important that you protect your rights.

  • Contact your local board of health, and
  • Ask for legal help.

If you are a homeowner, See the National Consumer Law Center's Twelve Tips for Homeowners After Natural Disasters

If you are an advocate or attorney looking for more legal information try 
MassLegalServices.org/disaster-relief.

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