<b>Self-certification of Occupancy</b><br/><br/>
<p><i>This policy change is in effect for disasters declared on or after August 13, 2021.</i></p>
<p>To be considered for FEMA assistance, as a last resort, FEMA may accept written self-certification for the situations listed below:</p>
<ul><li>Applicants whose pre-disaster dwelling was a mobile home or travel trailer.</li>
<li>Applicants living in insular areas, islands, and tribal lands.</li></ul>
<p>Self-certification must be provided to FEMA in writing and may be accepted only if you are not able to provide any other documents to prove occupancy. The statement must include <b>all</b> of the following:</p>
<ul><li>The address of the damaged dwelling.</li>
<li>The length of time lived in the damaged dwelling prior to the Presidential disaster declaration.</li>
<li>A statement that generally includes the elements of the below statement and additional explanation:<br/><br/>
<p>“I have made a good faith effort, in coordination with FEMA, to obtain and provide a copy of acceptable occupancy documentation. I was unable to obtain this documentation because [provide an explanation]. I hereby declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.”</p>
<p>You must explain the circumstances that prevent standard occupancy verification. Include why the other document types were not available to you or how the available documents do not meet FEMA’s requirements.</p></li>
<li>The applicant’s name and signature.</li></ul>
<p>If possible, to further support your claim, you should also provide any of the following documents, even if they do not meet all the requirements for the document type:</p>
<ul><li>Utility Bills</li>
<li>Other Bills (like credit card, phone bill, medical bill)</li>
<li>Employer’s Document (like a pay stub)</li>
<li>Lease/Housing Agreement</li>
<li>Rent Receipts</li>
<li>Public Official’s Document</li>
<li>Identification Cards</li>
<li>Social Services Organization Documents</li>
<li>Local School District Letter or Statement</li>
<li>Federal or State Benefits Document</li>
<li>Motor Vehicle Registration</li>
<li>Affidavits of Residency or Other Court Documentation</li>
<li>Mobile Home Commercial Park Statement</li></ul>
<p>The self-certification may be written after the disaster.</p>
<p>You may use this document to verify occupancy.</p>
