Wisconsin Disaster Recovery Update

Statewide Individual Assistance

• Over $28.7M in FEMA Individual Assistance for 3,834 households ($16.3M in Housing Assistance, $12.4M in Other Needs Assistance).

Key Reminders

• File an insurance claim first. If you have insurance coverage for the damage to your home, FEMA needs a copy of your insurance settlement or denial before your application can be considered.
• Return inspector calls or texts. After applying, a FEMA inspector will likely contact you to schedule an appointment. Their phone number may be from out of state or show up on caller ID as “unavailable.” Answer or return the call to move your application forward.
• Check your furnace, HVAC units for water damage. If water got into your home during the August floods, it’s possible that your furnace or other HVAC units may have been affected. Turn them on and make sure they still work. If the items are damaged and they aren’t covered by insurance, FEMA may be able to provide money to help repair or replace them.
• Temporary housing needs. If you are unable to return to your home due to the disaster, Displacement Assistance may be available. You can use this one-time payment to stay in a hotel or motel, stay with family and friends, or for any other available housing options. If you’ve used your Displacement Assistance and still have housing needs, contact the FEMA Helpline to find out if you may be eligible for Rental Assistance.
• After applying for FEMA assistance, you will receive a letter from FEMA. This letter will explain the next steps you may need to take. Read the letter carefully for important due dates. You can check the status of your application and upload any documents FEMA needs directly through your account on DisasterAssistance.gov.
• Disaster Unemployment Assistance. If you’re in Milwaukee, Washington or Waukesha counties and you lost work due to the August disaster, you may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). Learn more about the program by visiting dwd.wisconsin.gov/uiben/dua/. The deadline to apply is November 10, 2025. File as soon as possible at my.unemployment.wisconsin.gov.

How to Apply & Recovery Centers

Apply in one of three ways:

• Online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
• Call 800-621-336 If you use video relay service, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service.
• Visit a Disaster Recovery Center

Even if you were visited by a FEMA assessment team in late August, you must still apply for federal assistance.

Disaster Recovery Centers are open in the affected communities to provide in-person support. Find a center near you:

FEMA.GOV/DRC.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.

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