MADISON – RealEstateRama – Wisconsin residents who applied for federal assistance may need to follow-up with FEMA for a variety of reasons such as to schedule an inspection or provide additional information or documents to move their application forward. Those who still need help recovering after the August storms and flooding and haven’t yet applied, still have until November 12 to do so.
Applicants with Insurance
If you applied with FEMA and have insurance for the damage to your home, you will need to submit the insurance settlement or denial letter to FEMA as part of your application. By law, FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by other sources.
Answer that Inspector Call
FEMA will typically call or text you within 10 days after you apply to schedule an inspection. While that timeframe can vary, be sure to respond to move your application forward. Inspectors will present an official FEMA ID and already have your application number when they arrive at your home. You can ask them to verify that information before the inspection begins. A FEMA inspector will never ask for money or your bank information. If you are unsure whether a visit or call is legitimate, contact the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 to verify.
Applicants Appealing an Initial FEMA Decision
Read your FEMA letter carefully: it will provide additional information on what to submit if you choose to appeal FEMA’s decision. You have 60 days from the date of your letter to do so.
Your appeal letter or the Individuals and Households Program Appeal Request form may be submitted online, by fax, by mail or in-person at a Disaster Recover Center.
- Online: This is the fastest option to submit documents. If you have a FEMA online account, upload your documents electronically. To set up the account first, visit DisasterAssistance.gov, click on “Check Status” and follow the directions.
- By mail: FEMA, P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055
- By fax: 800-827-8112, Attention: FEMA
- In-person: Visit any Disaster Recovery Center to submit your appeal. Find a center here: fema.gov/DRC.
Reminder: Application Deadline is November 12, 2025
Even if you were visited by a FEMA assessment team in late August or called 2-1-1 to report your home damage, you must still apply to be considered for federal assistance. Start the application process by going online to DisasterAssistance.gov or calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use video relay service, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service.
Be sure to apply before the November 12 deadline. For even more information about the disaster recovery operation in Wisconsin visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4892.
