Fax your appeal packet to 800-827-8112, Attention: Individuals and Households Program. When mailing or faxing your appeal packet, be sure to include your personal FEMA registration number and the disaster number, DR-4413-AK, on all your documents. Your letter must be postmarked within 60 days of the date on your determination letter.
A: No. FEMA cannot process your appeal via email, but you can submit it on our website. You can open a disaster assistance center account at . Once the account is created, you can update your current contact information, upload your appeal documents and review letters from FEMA. When you upload the required documents to your account, an appeal packet is automatically created which can then be submitted for review.
U.S. Small Business Administration FAQs
Q: Why am I, an individual, being referred to the U.S. Small Business Administration for my disaster-related losses in the Alaska earthquake? A: Don’t let the name mislead you. During a declared disaster, SBA provides low-interest, long-term disaster loans to homeowners and renters who aren’t adequately insured as well as businesses of all sizes and private nonprofits.
Many applicants who register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency are also referred to the SBA during their registration for disaster assistance. If you meet the SBA income criteria, you must complete and return the loan application to ensure the federal disaster recovery process continues.
A: You can meet with an SBA representative at any of the joint FEMA-state disaster recovery centers in designated disaster areas.
Q: How does an SBA loan work with my homeowner’s insurance? A: Do not wait on a settlement before submitting an SBA disaster loan application. SBA may be able to finalize the loan and get money to you before your insurance settles. The loan balance will then be reduced by the insurance settlement if you receive one. SBA disaster assistance may be available for losses not covered by insurance or other sources.
Q: Will I need to have another home inspection? FEMA and the state have already done inspections. A: Yes. An SBA verifier will estimate the total physical loss to your disaster damaged property.
Q: How much can I borrow from SBA? A: Homeowners can borrow up to $200,000 for primary residence structural repairs or rebuilding. Homeowners and renters may be able to borrow up to $40,000 to replace personal property including automobiles damaged or destroyed in the disaster. Businesses of any size may borrow up to $2 million to repair/replace disaster property damage. Small businesses, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations may also borrow to help meet disaster caused working capital needs. The $2 million maximum applies to the combination of property damage and working capital loans.
Q: What happens if I am denied a loan from SBA? A: If the applicant is denied a loan, FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance program, for items such as personal property (i.e., clothing, household items), moving and storage costs, and car repairs may be available. Certain items (i.e., chainsaws, dehumidifiers) may also qualify if they were purchased or rented to return a household to a safe, sanitary and functional state after the earthquake.
Q: What happens if I am approved for an SBA loan? A: If the applicant is approved by the SBA, the intent is for these low-interest, flexible loans to cover these additional needs and for repairs not covered by your FEMA assistance.
A: If you choose not to accept the SBA loan, this link you will not be eligible for further federal disaster assistance, but you may be referred to local voluntary agencies for assistance.
Q: What if I am approved for an SBA loan, but choose not to accept it?
A: Bring your determination letter, your written appeal and the supporting documents requested in your determination letter to any disaster recovery center. For locations visit or Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362).
