Dac Message 101172

<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>&ldquo;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.&rdquo;</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&rsquo;s requirements.</p></li>

<li>The applicant&rsquo;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&rsquo;s Document (like a pay stub)</li>

<li>Lease/Housing Agreement</li>

<li>Rent Receipts</li>

<li>Public Official&rsquo;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>