FEMA Replaces Equipment

Anyone who uses adaptive or accessibility items that were damaged by a disaster may be eligible for FEMA assistance. FEMA considers adaptive or accessibility items to be an important part of one’s disaster recovery process and will help to maintain and/or re-establish that person’s independence and quality of life after a disaster. FEMA assistance for specific accessibility items does not count toward housing assistance or personal property maximum awards.

For homeowners and renters, assistance is limited to accessible beds, raised toilet seats and shower chairs; accessible refrigerators and washers; computers or adaptive technology, such as screen readers or adapted keyboards; motorized or manual wheelchairs or walkers; and visual and/or vibrating fire signals. Additionally, homeowners are also eligible for assistance when exterior ramps, grab bars or paved pathways to the home’s entrance from a vehicle are damaged. Assistance for other damaged accessibility items or medical equipment such as CPAP, oxygen supplies, and catheters may be covered by FEMA’s medical and dental assistance. For information, one may call FEMA’s Helpline at 800 621- 3362.