Writing a FEMA Appeal Letter

Vermont Flooding

When you don't agree with a decision from FEMA, you can appeal the decision.

On this page we offer two tools that can help you to create a FEMA appeal letter.

• Use an online guided interview to create the letter.
• Use a Word document to create the letter.

You might consider doing this work on a library computer if you do not have a computer or printer at home. You might ask a friend or local organization to help you create the letter and print it out.

You will need to print and sign the letter. You will need to mail it or fax it to FEMA. You can also upload it to your FEMA online account or bring it to a walk-in Disaster Recovery Center.

1. An online guided interview

You can find this tool on the Advocates for Disaster Justice website. Follow the tips and directions on that page. After you answer the questions, a letter will be produced for you so you can print it out. It may take around 20 minutes to go through the interview.

Tips

• When it asks for your Social Security Number, only provide the last four digits.
• The disaster number for flooding in Vermont in July 2023 was 4720-DR-VT. For July 9 - 11, 2024, it is 4810-DR-VT.
• When you submit your letter, enclose a copy of FEMA’s eligibility notification letter and the FEMA cover sheet with bar code.
• Also enclose copies of materials that are in support of your appeal letter.

Use the guided interview

2. A Word document you can fill out or edit

This sample letter is based on the tool above. You can print it out and fill it in by hand — with a pen. You can also edit the Microsoft Word document on a computer to customize the letter for yourself.

Tips

• Wondering what FEMA's decision codes mean? Look at pages 11-13 on this PDF to see the codes FEMA uses when they give you a decision. You will want this information when you create an appeal letter.
• When editing in Word, double click on a line in the letter to select the whole line. Then you can just start typing. This will get rid of the line.
• When you submit your letter, enclose a copy of FEMA’s eligibility notification letter and the FEMA cover sheet with bar code.
• Also enclose copies of materials that are in support of your appeal letter.

Our Word document does not meet all requirements of a fully accessible document. For the most accessible experience, use the text on this web page.

Download the Word document

Return to our Applying for FEMA Assistance + Appealing a FEMA Decision page.