<b>Self-certification of Ownership</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 <i>may</i> 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>
<li>Applicants whose pre-disaster dwelling was passed down through heirship.</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 ownership. 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 primary dwelling prior to the Presidential disaster declaration.</li>
<li>A statement that generally includes the elements of the below statement and additional explanation:</p>
<p>“I have made a good faith effort, in coordination with FEMA, to obtain and provide a copy of acceptable ownership documentation. I do meet FEMA’s definition of an owner-occupant because I am either</p>
<ol type="A"><li>the legal owner of the home, or</li>
<li>pay no rent, but am responsible for the payment of taxes or maintenance for the residence.</li></p>
<p>Or</p>
<li>I hold lifetime occupancy rights.</li></ol></p>
<p>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></li>
<p>You must explain the circumstances that prevent standard ownership verification of the appropriate owner-occupant category.</p>
<li>For heirship, a statement that generally includes the elements of the below statement:</p>
<p>“As the nearest relative of the deceased in the line of succession, my ownership includes all the rights and obligations of the deceased. The decedent’s name is _______, and they died on ________. I understand I must submit the death certificate along with this declaration. I hereby declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.”</p>
<li>For heirship, a copy of the decedent’s death certificate.</li>
<li>The applicant’s name and signature.</li></ul>
<p>The self-certification may be written after the disaster. You may use this document to verify ownership.</p>
