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
The process for FEMA to reconsider a determination or decision follows a sequence of steps. Including:
- Determination Memo: FEMA's official notification of a decision to an Applicant
- Submittal of first level appeal: Applicant's request that FEMA reconsider a determination
- Final Request for Information and first appeal decision: FEMA can place a final Request for Information in order to assist their decision. FEMA Regional Office then makes their first appeal determination
- Second level appeal: If the Applicant receives an unfavorable first appeal determination they may appeal that determination
- Final decision from FEMA: FEMA Headquarters provides a final decision to the Applicant's second level appeal
