Financial Disaster Aid Available for U.S. Citizens, Non-Citizen Nationals and Qualified Aliens
November 23, 2016
Editor's note: The Federal Emergency Management Agency published the following information:
Virginia Beach, VA - - (November 23, 2016) - - The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is committed to helping all eligible Virginia disaster survivors recover from Hurricane Matthew storm and flood damage, including U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals and Qualified Aliens.
An undocumented parent or guardian may apply for monetary aid on behalf of a minor child who is a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national or Qualified Alien. Although the adult will be expected to sign a Declaration and Release (FEMA Form 009-0-3) in the child’s name, no information will be gathered on the person signing for the child.
When registering for disaster assistance, FEMA requires applicants to certify whether they are U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals or Qualified Aliens.
The status of a qualified alien includes:
• Legal permanent residents (those with Green Cards);
• Those with refugee or asylum status;
• Those whose deportation has been withheld;
• Those on parole into the U.S. for at least one year for humanitarian purposes;
• Those with conditional entry;
• Those who are Cuban-Haitian entrants; and
• Those with petitions for relief based on battery or extreme cruelty by a family member.
All individuals, regardless of citizenship status, affected by a major disaster may be eligible for other non-monetary, in-kind emergency disaster relief programs. These include medical care, shelter, food and water as well as Disaster Legal Services and Crisis Counseling. Undocumented immigrants are not eligible for FEMA cash assistance or Disaster Unemployment Assistance.
People who do not qualify for monetary assistance may still call the FEMA registration line for referrals to voluntary agencies.
Assistance for eligible individuals and small businesses includes funds for temporary housing and necessary home repairs, individual and household grants, disaster unemployment assistance, low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration and other programs.
All FEMA disaster assistance will be provided without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex (including sexual orientation), religion, national origin, age, disability, limited English proficiency, economic status, or retaliation. If you believe your civil rights are being violated, call 800-621-3362 or 800-462-7585(TTY/TDD).
Information source: Federal Emergency Management Agency