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You applied to FEMA for disaster assistance and received a decision letter. You’re not sure what the letter means, but you are worried it may be saying you are ineligible for assistance. You have the right to appeal any FEMA decision or award amount.

A decision letter is sent when information is missing from your application, such as proof of identity, proof you own your home, or proof you lived in your home for a major part of the year before Tropical Storm Helene swept through Tennessee.

If your primary home was in Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi, or Washington County and you received a decision letter from FEMA, here are some tips for how to appeal FEMA’s decision.

Carefully read FEMA’s letter
You need to understand why FEMA said your application was “ineligible” or why FEMA is holding off on making a decision. Often, the reason is as simple as missing documents or information. Read FEMA’s letter carefully to help you understand what the agency is asking.

How do I appeal FEMA’s decision?
You can appeal any FEMA decision or award amount by sending documents that show you qualify and need more help. You may send estimates for repairs, receipts, bills, etc. Each decision letter you receive from FEMA explains which documents may help you appeal FEMA’s decision.

Supporting documents may include:

• Receipts
• Bills
• Repair estimates
• Property titles or deeds
• Any other information that may support your reasons for the appeal

Do I have to send any other documents?
No, you don’t have to send anything else with your documents. But you can send additional information to help explain why you are appealing. Sending additional information isn’t required, but it can help FEMA’s review of your appeal. If you want to send additional information, you can:

• Send a signed and completed Appeal Request Form. A copy of this form is included in your FEMA decision letter.
• Send a signed, written appeal letter.

Appeals must be submitted within 60 days of the date on the FEMA decision letter.

What should I include on documents I send to FEMA?
All documents you send to FEMA as part of your appeal should include your:

• Full name
• Current phone number and address
• Disaster number (DR-4832-TN) and nine-digit FEMA application number written on all pages
• Address of the disaster-damaged home

Receipts, bills, and estimates must include the business name and contact information to help FEMA confirm the information.

Can someone appeal for me?
If you send a written explanation for the appeal that is prepared by someone other than you, it must include that person’s signature. FEMA will need your written permission to share information about your application. You can do this by completing an Authorization for the Release of Information Under the Privacy Act form and sending it to FEMA.

How can I send documents?
You can send appeals and supporting documents to FEMA in the following ways:

• Upload to your disaster assistance account at DisasterAssistance.gov.
• Mail: FEMA, P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055.
• Fax: 800-827-8112.
• Visit any Disaster Recovery Center. Search the DRC Locator to find one near you.

What happens after I appeal FEMA’s decision?
You submitted an appeal to FEMA within 60 days of FEMA’s decision letter or award amount. Now what? You may receive a call or letter from FEMA asking for more information, or FEMA may schedule an inspection of your primary home. Once you’ve sent FEMA an appeal, you can expect a decision letter within 90 days after FEMA receives it.

Other resources
For answers to your questions about appeals and FEMA assistance, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use a relay service such as video relay service or captioned telephone service, you can provide FEMA with your number for that service. Helpline operators speak many languages and lines are open from 7 a.m. to midnight ET, seven days a week.

For the latest information about Tennessee’s recovery, visit tn.gov/tema or fema.gov/helene/tennessee. Follow FEMA on X at x.com/FEMARegion4 or on Facebook at facebook.com/fema.