Will FEMA Pay For A Generator? (Find Out Now!)
Severe weather conditions and natural disasters can cause issues regarding access to essential services. Stores are likely to close, clean water may stop flowing through your faucets, and the power may go out.
Having no electricity for any extended period of time can be a big issue in some households. That’s why some people go out to either buy or rent generators while power remains unavailable. Depending on your situation at home, the government agency FEMA may even reimburse you for your purchase.
FEMA may pay for your generator if you live in an area hit by a presidentially declared disaster or emergency. You must also prove that the generator was needed to power a medically required appliance or piece of equipment. The agency will also require you to provide proof of purchase when you attempt to seek reimbursement from them.
A generator can prove to be a truly essential piece of equipment during an emergency. Find out if you can afford one with FEMA’s help by continuing with this article.
Can You Get FEMA to Pay for Your Generator?
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, is the branch of the government responsible for responding to natural disasters. Typically, state governments are the ones on the frontlines of the response to any disasters or emergencies. However, the sheer scale of what they’re dealing with can quickly overwhelm them.
FEMA’s job is to provide valuable assistance to those local governments and to coordinate the emergency services. Since power outages commonly accompany the onset of natural disasters, you may be wondering if FEMA can help with that too.
As it turns out, the aforementioned agency can indeed provide some assistance to individuals. According to the Other Needs Assistance provision of the agency’s Individuals and Households program, people can approach them for financial aid. To be more specific, FEMA may offer reimbursement if you recently rented or purchased a generator.
Who Is Eligible to Receive Reimbursement from FEMA?
The financial assistance provided by FEMA can prove to be genuinely life-saving during an emergency. However, you must know that not everyone is automatically eligible to receive that aid.
FEMA has outlined the eligibility requirements for individuals looking for help to pay for their new generator. Let’s talk about them in greater detail below.
You Live in an Area Designated for Individual Assistance
To receive reimbursement for the generator you just bought, you must live in a FEMA-designated area for Individual Assistance. Typically, the agency will determine which areas are designated for Individual Assistance based on the declarations made by the president. If your area was hit by a presidentially declared disaster or emergency, you will likely meet one of FEMA’s requirements.
Remember that your home must be in that area where the disaster hit. Things could become more complicated if that is not the case.
The Generator Must Be Needed to Power a Medically Required Appliance or Piece of Equipment
The reason why you purchased the generator will matter greatly if you want to be reimbursed by FEMA. Individuals who rented or bought the generator to power appliances such as fans and computers may not be eligible.
The purpose of the generator must be to power up a medically required appliance or piece of equipment. There are different types of items that qualify in that regard. For instance, you may have a loved one at home who has trouble breathing. They may need a special machine to help alleviate that health condition. If you need a generator to power up that machine, you likely qualify for reimbursement.
Pieces of voiding equipment, monitoring devices, and machines needed to care for infants may also be seen as medically required. They may also qualify you for reimbursement according to FEMA’s guidelines.
Crucially though, you must present proof that the item being powered by the generator was deemed medically required. You may need to get the notes from your doctor ready to prove that you made a necessary purchase.
You Must Offer Proof That You Bought the Generator
Remember to hold on to your receipts if you want FEMA to offer you financial assistance. Show them a receipt indicating that you did indeed purchase the generator. You can also provide a receipt proving that you rented out a generator.
The Generator Was Bought during the Period of the Disaster or Emergency
Lastly, you must also show that you bought the generator back when the state of emergency was still in effect. The state of emergency starts after the governor’s declaration.
The period of coverage will end when power returns to your area or the state of emergency is lifted. As soon as one of those events takes place, anyone who buys a generator may no longer seek reimbursement from FEMA.
Are There Limitations on FEMA’s Generator Reimbursement Offers?
Beyond the eligibility requirements, there are other limitations placed on FEMA’s reimbursement program. Get to know them better so you can tell right away if you can receive assistance from the agency.
Limitations Based on the Medical Equipment
Depending on how you purchased the medical equipment you have at home, you may not qualify for FEMA’s assistance offer. To be more specific, medical equipment purchased using funds from Medicaid, Medicare, household, or medical insurance are not covered.
There are laws that prohibit duplicate payments for assistance provided by insurance. It’s unfortunate, but FEMA may no longer be able to pay for your generator at that point.
Limitations on the Payouts
There are also limits set on how much FEMA may offer in terms of reimbursement. The agency notes that they will reimburse individuals up to the “prevailing retail rate” for a 5.5 kW generator.
To get a better sense of how much financial aid FEMA may provide, we can reference events from 2020. Applicants affected by Hurricane Laura who sought reimbursement for their generators were eligible to receive up to $449.
For those who rented a generator, FEMA will only reimburse you for the period until power was restored. The amount FEMA reimburses you for your generator rental will not exceed the payout given to those who bought a generator.
What Happens After Applying for Financial Assistance from FEMA?
After applying for reimbursement from FEMA, the agency will have to verify your claim. You will first have to submit documents to the agency that verify your identity.
Examples of documents you can send to verify your identity include your passport or your social security card. Other documents from federal entities that include your social security number can also be used.
Applications for generator reimbursement can be sent online. You can also look for the nearest drop-off center in your area and submit your identifying documents there. FEMA may then decide to conduct a home inspection after confirming your identity.
Applicants are urged to prepare some documents for the home inspection. Those include proof of ownership of the residence, insurance documents, and a photo ID. You may also have to detail how the disaster affected your property as well as the people living in your home.
Following the home inspection, FEMA will let you know if your application was approved or denied. Even if your application was denied, you will still be given 60 days to appeal the agency’s decision.
Safety Tips for Using a Generator
Homeowners must be very careful whenever they’re using a generator. In this section, we’ve highlighted some of the most important tips to keep in mind if you have a generator running.
Manage Your Fuel Supply Carefully
You need to be cautious when it comes to your generator’s fuel supply. Keep some reserve fuel on hand at all times so the important pieces of equipment are always powered up.
If you need to refuel the generator, remember to turn it off first. Allowing the generator to cool down for a bit of time may also be required.
Position the Generator in a Safe Area
Pay attention to where you set up the generator before using it. Avoid using it inside an enclosed space where the fumes could gather. The generator must also be kept far from any items that could catch fire.
Also, remember to keep the generator far from water. If it’s raining outside, you may not be able to use the generator.
Avoid Overloading the Generator
Limit how much equipment you’re plugging into the generator. If possible, only use it to power the necessary medical equipment. Overloading the generator can lead to it breaking down.
Related Questions
How Do You Keep Track of Your FEMA Reimbursement Application?
FEMA urges all reimbursement applicants to open an account at DisasterAssistance.gov. By opening an account there, you can monitor the progress of your application and receive updates from FEMA.If the agency needs you to submit additional documentation, you can upload the files there. You can also review messages from FEMA using that account you made.
What Other Items Will FEMA Reimburse?
Aside from generators, FEMA may also cover the cost of a new chainsaw. They may reimburse you if the chainsaw is needed to deal with the aftermath of the disaster.Carbon monoxide detectors, smoke detectors, weather radios, humidifiers, and dehumidifiers may also be covered by the agency. Be sure to check with them to see if you may receive financial assistance for your essential purchases.
Gary Evans is passionate about home improvement. He loves finding out how to make improvements in the easiest, most practical, and most affordable ways. Upgrading his home kitchen is one of his ongoing hobbies. Gary is also a long-time content creator and enjoys spending his free time tending to his hydroponic vegetable garden.
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