Appeals Process

If the Applicant decides to appeal FEMA’s eligibility decision, they must go through the appeals process.

  • First Appeal
    • The applicant must submit a written appeal to the Recipient within 60 days of receiving the eligibility determination
    • The Recipient creates a recommendation based upon the appeal and provides FEMA with both within 60 days of receiving the appeal
    • Within 90 days of receiving the appeal, the FEMA Regional Administrator either makes a determination or requests additional information from the Applicant
  • Second Appeal
    • If the Applicant disagrees with FEMA’s first appeal determination, they have 60 days from the notification of the First Appeal determination to appeal the decision
    • The Applicant has 60 days from the notification of the First Appeal determination to appeal again
    • Within 90 days of the second appeal, the Assistant Administrator of the Recovery Directorate at FEMA Headquarters will either make a determination or request additional information
A flowchart: “FEMA Determination” leads to “First Appeal,” which leads to “Second Appeal.”