FEMA Individual Assistance Programs: Community Outreach Initiatives

IA Community Outreach activity in Loíza coordinated by Long Term Recovery Group #20 Puerto Rico Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (PR-VOAD). FEMA/Marilis Cuevas

As part of its outreach initiatives, the FEMA Caribbean Area Office in Puerto Rico (CAO) disseminated vital information to non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community leaders, and the general population about Individual Assistance (IA) programs that may become available following an emergency or disaster declaration. In these briefings, the IA team explained the sequence of the delivery model, the application process for the FEMA Individual and Household Program (IHP), as well as what survivors should expect after applying for disaster assistance, and other potential resources that may assist their recovery process.

FEMA recognizes that finding and submitting required documents to apply for assistance after a disaster can be difficult for survivors. In light of this, FEMA recently updated the Individual Assistance Policy and Program Guidance (IAPPG) to make equitable access more flexible, thereby reducing the burden on survivors. In this update, FEMA implemented new policies to reduce access barriers that are encountered by underserved populations. FEMA expanded the variety of acceptable documents and the effective date range of documents to verify property ownership, applicant occupancy, among other necessary information. FEMA will continue to provide disaster survivors as well as organizations and community leaders in Puerto Rico with informational resources to foster a stronger path to recovery.