Eligibility for FEMA Disaster Relief for Immigrants
Kyle Huffman • October 13, 2023
Recently, a series of natural disasters spanning across the United States have dominated headlines. From the wildfires in Maui, to hurricanes striking both the west and east coast of the continental United States just weeks apart. Collectively, these natural disasters have cost, and are expected to cost the United States tens of billions of dollars in damage.
With the news coverage of these horrible events, many individuals in the United States who are either undocumented or living with temporary status have questions about their eligibility to receive disaster assistance if a natural disaster happens to them. Thankfully, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers clear guidance on this eligibility to receive FEMA Aid in response to a natural disaster or similar emergency.
FEMA does offer assistance, which can take forms including direct financial assistance for rental assistance, home repair, property loss, or medical losses, for qualified non-citizens. In this context, a qualified non-citizen includes any of the following:
- Legal Permanent Residents (“Green Card” holders)
- Non-citizens granted asylum
- Refugees
- Non-citizens whose deportation status is being withheld for at least one year
- Non-citizens paroled into the U.S. for at least one year for urgent humanitarian purposes or significant public benefit
- Cuban/Haitian entrants
- Certain battered non-citizens or their spouses or children
- Certain victims of a severe form of human trafficking, including persons with a “T” or “U” visa
Furthermore, a household may apply for certain forms of assistance on behalf of a qualified minor child, so long as the parent or guardian of the qualifying minor child lives in the same household, and applies as a co-applicant.
If you have any questions about what this means for you, please schedule a consultation with one of our experienced attorneys.
We look forward to working with you.
This blog is not intended to be legal advice and nothing here should be construed as establishing an attorney client relationship. Please schedule a consultation with an immigration attorney before acting on any information read here.
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