Dealing with a disaster?
You’re not alone.
Recovering from a Disaster
When a disaster strikes, it can throw your life into disarray. If your home is damaged or destroyed, recovery may seem overwhelming. But help is available for both homeowners and renters to address the aftermath of a disaster and get you back to normal.
Contact a counselor
Contact a housing counselor
Knowledgeable housing counselors are available to speak with at no cost. They can recommend resources and help guide you through disaster recovery.
Call 855-HERE2HELP to talk to a counselor today
Experienced, HUD-approved housing counselors can help you locate available assistance, explain the insurance claim process, and create a long-term plan for getting back on track. Call or make an appointment now.
How a housing counselor can help you
Housing counselors can help you identify suitable mortgage relief options, develop a personalized action plan, and more. Counseling is available in multiple languages and comes at no cost to you.
5 questions to ask a housing counselor
Speaking one-on-one with a housing counselor is a great opportunity to get answers and explanations, so be sure to make a list of questions ahead of time. Here are five to get you started.
Talk to your insurance company
Talk to your insurance company
Contact your insurer as soon as you can in case your policy has any time limit on claims.
Get help working with insurance after disaster
From filing a claim to getting paid out, here are some key things to know as you navigate the post-disaster insurance process.
Call your mortgage company
Call your mortgage company
The company you send your monthly payment to — your mortgage servicer — can help you identify options that may make the recovery process smoother. If you don’t know who your servicer is, you can usually find it listed on the top-left corner of your mortgage statement.
Tips for talking to your servicer
If you're facing financial uncertainty after disaster, it can be helpful to ask your mortgage servicer what mortgage relief options are available to you. Prepare for the call by reviewing these tips ahead of time.
Options to stay in your home
If the disaster has created a financial hardship, there may be mortgage options such as pausing your monthly payments while you get back on your feet, helping you avoid foreclosure or damage to your credit.
Find recovery assistance
Financial and other assistance may be available to help you recover after a disaster. This could include federal, state, or local programs, such as those provided through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Explore the options to see what may work for you.
Disaster recovery resources and tools for homeowners and renters
Use our checklists, tools, and other resources to explore, prepare, and make more-informed decisions.
What should homeowners do after a disaster?
Keep this checklist handy, so if disaster strikes, you'll know who to call first and how a housing counselor could help you.
What should renters do after a disaster?
Follow these steps if you're experiencing hardship from a disaster.
Fannie Mae loan lookup tool
To explore mortgage relief options, it’s good to know who owns your mortgage. Use our Loan Lookup tool to find out.
Contact a counselor
Contact a housing counselor
Knowledgeable housing counselors are available to speak with you at no cost. They can recommend resources and help guide you through the disaster recovery process.
Call 855-HERE2HELP to talk to a counselor today
Experienced, HUD-approved housing counselors can help you talk with your landlord, navigate insurance claims, find temporary housing, and identify and apply for aid. Counseling is available in multiple languages and at no cost to you.
How a housing counselor can help you
Housing counselors can help you assess your situation, explore relief options, and talk with your landlord. Counseling is available in multiple languages and comes at no cost to you.
5 questions to ask a housing counselor
Be sure to make a list of questions ahead of your appointment to make the most of your time. Here are five to get you started.
Talk to your landlord
Talk to your landlord
Depending on your rental situation, your landlord or property owner may be willing to make accommodations as you recover from a disaster.
Tips for talking to your landlord
Review these tips before talking to your landlord about your situation after disaster.
Review your lease
Review your lease
Your lease or rental contract may include provisions about your rights and responsibilities in the event of a disaster. Review the document to determine how to move forward and work with your landlord.
Understand your rights
As a renter, you have rights, and it’s important to know what they are before making decisions. Depending on your circumstances, you may have certain protections to help you recover from a disaster.
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