Figuring Out FEMA

  • Made By CUP With:
  • Community Partners
  • Tags:
  • Housing,
  • Infrastructure

Supporting people who have experienced a natural disaster with navigating the process and their rights to secure repairs to their homes.

CUP staff, Yasmin Safdie, meets with the team to talk about a design draft.

Experiencing a natural disaster is a difficult and traumatic experience. In addition to the emotional process of recovery, impacted individuals need to also navigate complex legal processes to repair their homes and replace their belongings.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides support after natural disasters but it can be difficult to navigate the deadlines for different FEMA programs and fulfill all the application requirements in order to successfully receive assistance. As individuals and families begin the recovery process, it’s important they know where to get support and which resources they are eligible to receive.

Pro Bono Net collaborated with CUP and designer Carmen Rosa Lopez to make sure people know how to apply to FEMA for assistance to receive the support they need after a natural disaster.

The guide that breaks down the process of enrolling in FEMA’s Individual Assistance program. It also explains how to appeal FEMA’s decision if you are denied aid or need more assistance and explains your rights when interacting with FEMA.

Pro Bono Net hosted a webinar introducing the guide to different disaster legal aid attorneys and organizations and is distributing the guide across the country through its network of partners.

Designer Carmen brainstormed how to visualize the FEMA Individual Assistance application process.
CUP staff member Yasmin faciltated a team meeting.

Check Out the Project

The cover and a spread from Figuring Out FEMA

Buy a Copy $5

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Project Collaborators

Community Partner

Pro Bono Net

Jeanne Ortiz-Ortiz


Special Thanks

Christine Gaspar, Frampton Tolbert, Elijah Bobo, Miranda Grundy, Jade Levine, Sucharitha Yelimeli, Red Hook Initiative, Long Island Cares, Lone Star Legal Aid, Equal Justice Works, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, Neighborhood Legal Services of LA, the Alaska Bar association, and all the survivors who provided feedback.

Product Details

3.5″ × 5.5″ 10 page booklet

Funding Support

Support for this project was provided by The Shelley & Donald Rubin Foundation and public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and Council Members Brad Lander and Antonio Reynoso.