What we verified in “Repairing or rebuilding after a hurricane in Puerto Rico”

Statements and where we checked them

The statements with rules, figures or dates, with the exact place in the source and the date we checked them.

1. According to FEMA, its Individuals and Households Program provides financial and direct services to eligible individuals and households affected by a disaster who have uninsured or under-insured necessary expenses and serious needs; housing help includes temporary rent and funds to repair or replace an owner-occupied primary residence; and FEMA warns that this help is not a substitute for insurance and cannot compensate for all losses caused by a disaster.

   Sources 1 · FEMA, 'Individuals and Households Program': 'provides financial and direct services to eligible individuals and households affected by a disaster'; 'uninsured or under-insured necessary expenses and serious needs'; rental assistance and funds 'to repair or replace owner-occupied primary residences'; 'IHP assistance is not a substitute for insurance and cannot compensate for all losses caused by a disaster.' · Checked October 31, 2026

2. According to USA.gov, to receive financial help from FEMA you must live in a presidentially declared disaster area; you apply in four ways: online at DisasterAssistance.gov, with the FEMA app, by phone at 1-800-621-3362 or in person at a Disaster Recovery Center; and to apply you need your Social Security number, your insurance information, a description of the damage, your household's annual income, your contact information and a bank account for direct deposit.

   Sources 2 · USA.gov, 'How to apply for disaster assistance': 'You must live in a presidentially declared disaster area to receive financial assistance from FEMA.'; 'Fill out a DisasterAssistance.gov application online.'; 'Apply using the FEMA app.'; 'Apply by phone at 1-800-621-3362.'; 'Apply in person at a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC).'; 'Your Social Security number'; 'Insurance information'; 'A description of the damage caused'; 'Your annual household income'; 'Contact information'; 'Bank account information for direct deposit' · Checked October 31, 2026

3. Under FEMA's regulation (44 CFR 206.112), the standard registration period is 60 days from the date the President declares the disaster or emergency; FEMA may extend it if the state asks for more time; and after it ends, FEMA accepts late registrations for 60 more days from people who explain the reason for the delay.

   Sources 4 · 44 CFR 206.112(a), (b) and (d): 'The standard FEMA registration period is 60 days following the date that the President declares an incident a major disaster or an emergency'; 'FEMA may extend the registration period when the State requests more time'; 'FEMA will accept late registrations for an additional 60 days'; 'for those registrants who explain the reason for the delay in their registration' · Checked October 31, 2026

4. Under FEMA's regulation (44 CFR 206.113), if you have insurance, FEMA helps only when you filed a claim and it was denied, when the insurance payment was significantly delayed through no fault of yours and you agree to repay FEMA from what you receive later, or when insurance and other help are not enough; you must agree to refund any part of the help you receive from another source; housing help is for a primary residence that is destroyed, uninhabitable or inaccessible; and FEMA does not help people with adequate insurance and no delay, nor pay for improvements beyond the home's pre-disaster condition, except what code requires, eligible hazard mitigation or accessibility, nor help people who did not keep the flood insurance required by earlier federal assistance.

   Sources 5 · 44 CFR 206.113(a)(2)–(7) and (b)(5)–(8): 'files a claim with their insurance provider for all potentially applicable types of insurance coverage and the claim is denied'; 'insurance proceeds have been significantly delayed through no fault of his, her or their own, and the applicant has agreed to repay the assistance'; 'that assistance and insurance is insufficient to cover the necessary expense and serious need'; 'When the applicant agrees to refund to FEMA or the State any portion of the assistance that the applicant receives or is eligible to receive as assistance from another source'; 'if the primary residence has been destroyed, is uninhabitable, or is inaccessible'; 'for improvements or additions to the pre-disaster condition of property, except'; 'Improvements or additions required to make repairs that comply with local and State ordinances'; 'Eligible hazard mitigation measures'; 'Accessibility-related items'; 'who have adequate insurance coverage and where there is no indication that insurance proceeds will be significantly delayed'; 'who did not fulfill the condition to purchase and maintain flood insurance as a requirement of receiving previous Federal disaster assistance' · Checked October 31, 2026

5. Under FEMA's regulation (44 CFR 206.117), FEMA may help repair an owner-occupied primary residence if the requirements are met, it determines the disaster damaged the home and the damage is not covered by insurance; the repair is to a safe and sanitary condition, and includes the structure (foundation, exterior walls and roof), windows and doors, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, the electrical, gas, water and sewage systems, floors, interior walls, ceilings and cabinets, private access, and eligible hazard mitigation; and it is limited to the quality needed for that condition.

   Sources 7 · 44 CFR 206.117(b)(2)(i)–(iii): 'FEMA may provide financial assistance for the repair of an owner-occupied primary residence if'; 'FEMA determines the dwelling was damaged by the disaster'; 'The damage is not covered by insurance'; 'to a safe and sanitary living or functioning condition'; 'Structural components of the residence. This includes real property components, such as the foundation, exterior walls, and roof'; 'Windows and doors'; 'The Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning system'; 'Utility systems. This includes electrical, gas, water and sewage systems'; 'Interior components. This includes, but is not limited to, the structure's floors, walls, ceilings, and cabinetry'; 'The structure's access and egress, including privately owned access roads and privately owned bridges'; 'Eligible hazard mitigation measures'; 'limited to repairs of a quality necessary for a safe and sanitary living or functioning condition' · Checked October 31, 2026

6. Under FEMA's regulation (44 CFR 206.111), an owner-occupied home is one occupied by the legal owner with verifiable documentation; or by a person who does not hold formal title and pays no rent, but can produce verifiable documentation of legal responsibility for the home, such as tax payment receipts, receipts for major repairs, maintenance or improvements, court documents or a letter from a public official; or by a person with verifiable documentation of lifetime occupancy rights when title is in another's name; and the primary residence is the home where the person normally lives for most of the year.

   Sources 3 · 44 CFR 206.111: 'Owner-occupied means that the residence is occupied by'; 'The legal owner with verifiable documentation'; 'A person who does not hold formal title to the residence and pays no rent, but can produce verifiable documentation demonstrative of legal responsibility including tax payment receipts; receipts for major repairs, maintenance, or improvements of the residence; court documents, a letter from a public official'; 'A person who has verifiable documentation of lifetime occupancy rights with formal title vested in another'; 'Primary residence means the dwelling where the applicant normally lives, during the major portion of the calendar year' · Checked October 31, 2026

7. According to FEMA, to prove ownership it accepts, among others, a deed or official record, mortgage documents, a property tax receipt or bill and court documents; most documents can be dated up to one year before the disaster or within the 18-month assistance period, and repair receipts up to five years before; as a last resort, someone living in an insular area with no acceptable document can submit a written statement under penalty of perjury that they meet the owner-occupant definition, with the address, how long they lived there as a primary residence and their signature; if you inherited the home, the statement says you are the nearest relative of the deceased in the line of succession and comes with a copy of the death certificate; and the fastest way to send documents is to upload them to DisasterAssistance.gov.

   Sources 8 · FEMA, 'Verifying Home Ownership or Occupancy' (last updated June 26, 2026): 'Deed or Official Record'; 'Mortgage documentation'; 'Property tax receipt or bill'; court documents; 'Most documents can be dated within 1 year prior to the disaster or within the 18-month period of assistance'; repair receipts 'dated within 5 years prior to the disaster'; 'may accept a written self-declarative statement as a last resort'; living in an insular area, island, or tribal land; 'I hereby declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct'; 'the nearest relative of the deceased in the line of succession'; copy of the decedent's death certificate; 'uploading them online to DisasterAssistance.gov' · Checked October 31, 2026

8. Under FEMA's regulation (44 CFR 206.115), you may appeal any eligibility decision within 60 days from when FEMA notifies you of the award or denial; the appeal must include a written explanation or verifiable documentation; if someone else files it, you need a signed statement authorizing that person; and FEMA gives you a written answer with its reasons within 90 days of receiving it.

   Sources 6 · 44 CFR 206.115(a), (b) and (e): 'Applicants must file their appeal within 60 days after the date that we notify the applicant of the award or denial of assistance'; 'Appeals must include a written explanation or verifiable documentation'; 'If someone other than the applicant files the appeal, then the applicant must also submit a signed statement giving that person authority to represent them'; 'will give the appellant a written notice of the disposition of the appeal and a reason for the determination within 90 days of receiving the appeal' · Checked October 31, 2026

9. According to the SBA, if your home or belongings were damaged in a declared disaster area, you can apply for a low-interest loan even without a business: up to $500,000 to repair or replace your primary residence and up to $100,000, for owners and renters, to replace belongings such as clothing, furniture, cars and appliances; it covers losses not fully covered by insurance, and insurance proceeds may be deducted; it cannot be used to upgrade or add to the home unless the building code requires it; in some cases it can refinance all or part of a previous mortgage; the first payment is deferred 12 months with no interest in that time; for applicants who cannot get credit elsewhere, the fixed rate will not exceed 4%; the term is up to 30 years, with no prepayment penalty; collateral is required to the extent possible for loans over $50,000 in presidential declarations, but SBA will not decline a loan for lack of collateral; and secondary or vacation homes are not eligible.

   Sources 9 · SBA, 'Physical damage loans', 'Home and personal property loans': 'These loans cover disaster losses not fully covered by insurance or other sources'; 'Proceeds from insurance coverage on home or property may be deducted from the eligible loan amount'; 'Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence'; 'Renters and homeowners may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property — such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances'; 'You may not use the funds to upgrade homes or make additions, unless required by the local building code'; 'SBA can refinance all or part of a previous mortgage in some cases'; 'First payment deferred for 12 months'; 'No interest accrual for the first 12 months'; 'The fixed interest rate will not exceed 4%'; 'Up to 30 years'; 'No pre-payment penalty or fees'; 'Collateral is required to the extent possible for physical damage loans over $50,000 in Presidential declarations'; 'will not decline a loan for lack of collateral'; 'Secondary homes or vacation properties are not eligible for these loans' · Checked October 31, 2026

10. According to the Department of Housing's CDBG-DR/MIT portal, the R3 Program gave eligible owners help to repair or rebuild single-family homes damaged by Hurricanes Irma and María, in all 78 municipalities, and offered voluntary relocation to owners with substantial damage in risk zones; the program is closed to new applications; and applicants who present nontraditional ownership documents are referred to the Title Authorization Program.

    Sources 10 · Recuperación CDBG-DR/MIT, 'R3': 'asistencia en la reparación de viviendas y reconstrucción de viviendas significativamente afectadas'; 'Programa cerrado a nuevas solicitudes.'; 'PROGRAMA PARA VIVIENDAS EN LOS 78 MUNICIPIOS DE PUERTO RICO QUE AÚN SUFREN DAÑOS CAUSADOS POR LOS HURACANES IRMA Y/O MARÍA'; 'se les podrá ofrecer asistencia de reubicación a una vivienda segura'; 'Toda reubicación será voluntaria.'; 'Los solicitantes propietarios que presenten documentación de titularidad no tradicional serán referidos al Programa de Autorización de Títulos.' · Checked October 31, 2026

11. According to the Department of Housing's CDBG-DR/MIT portal, the Title Authorization Program, funded by HUD, helps legitimize titles for homes that lack a property title in all 78 municipalities; owners, or people who believe they have an ownership right, on private land or land of the Department of Housing or another public body, who owned or occupied the home as a primary residence when Hurricanes Irma or María struck and meet HUD's low-to-moderate income levels, can apply; it asks for ID, proof of primary residence, proof of income and a sworn statement of ownership with documents such as a declaration of heirs, a court judgment, a private purchase contract, a usufruct, correspondence with FEMA or CRIM receipts; it says you may be eligible even if FEMA or another source turned you down; and you apply by calling 1-833-234-2324 or at a Department of Housing regional office.

    Sources 11 · Recuperación CDBG-DR/MIT, 'Programa de Autorización de Títulos': 'Este programa legitimará los títulos de los propietarios de viviendas en las áreas impactadas por el huracán'; 'PROGRAMA PARA VIVIENDAS EN LOS 78 MUNICIPIOS DE PUERTO RICO QUE CARECEN DE SU TÍTULO DE PROPIEDAD'; 'Propietarios de viviendas (o que consideren tener un derecho propietario), en propiedad privada o en terrenos del Departamento de la Vivienda o de alguna instrumentalidad pública, que poseían u ocupaban la unidad como residencia principal al momento de los huracanes Irma y/o María y que cumplen con los niveles de ingresos bajos a moderados de HUD'; 'IDENTIFICACIÓN OFICIAL'; 'EVIDENCIA DE RESIDENCIA PRINCIPAL'; 'EVIDENCIA DE INGRESOS'; 'Declaración Jurada de Titularidad acompañada de uno (1) o más de los siguientes documentos'; 'Declaratoria de Herederos'; 'Contrato de compraventa privada'; 'Evidencia de contrato de usufructo'; 'Correspondencia entre FEMA y la persona solicitante'; 'Estados de cuenta, recibos o facturas de impuestos sobre la propiedad que haya emitido el Centro de Recaudación de Ingresos Municipal (CRIM)'; 'TÚ PUEDES SER ELEGIBLE AUNQUE HAYAS SIDO RECHAZADO POR FEMA O ALGUNA OTRA FUENTE DE ASISTENCIA.'; 'Llama al 1-833-234-CDBG o 1-833-234-2324 para coordinar una cita.' · Checked October 31, 2026

12. According to the Department of Housing's portal, the Nueva Energía Program, which covered renewable energy equipment for low-income owners of single-family homes they live in, is closed to new applications, and people who applied can check their status.

    Sources 12 · Programa Nueva Energía (nuevaenergia.pr.gov): 'Cubrirá el 100% hasta un máximo de $30,000 en costos de equipos e instalación de sistemas de energía renovable para dueños de una estructura unifamiliar en la que residan a tiempo completo'; 'Programa cerrado a nuevas solicitudes.'; 'Verificar estatus' · Checked October 31, 2026

13. The Department of Housing's CDBG-DR/MIT Program answers at 1-833-234-2324, TTY 787-522-5950, and infoCDBG@vivienda.pr.gov.

    Sources 10 · Recuperación CDBG-DR/MIT, footer: '1-833-234-CDBG o 1-833-234-2324'; 'TTY 787-522-5950'; 'infoCDBG@vivienda.pr.gov' · Checked October 31, 2026

14. According to the Department of Housing, for its building materials assistance program you file the application with, among other things, a photo of the applicant and spouse, the deed or proof that you own the home, proof of income for everyone over 18 living there, certifications from PAN, unemployment, ASUME and Social Security, a water, power or phone bill in your name, an estimate of materials for the damaged area, written proof of the agreement with the contractor who will do the labor, a photo of the home and three quotes certified by hardware stores on the General Services Administration list.

    Sources 13 · Departamento de la Vivienda, 'Ayuda de materiales', 'Requisitos': 'Solicitud del Programa debidamente completada'; 'Foto 2×2 del solicitante y cónyuge'; 'Fotocopia de la escritura o evidencia que le indique como dueño de la propiedad'; 'Evidencia de ingresos de toda persona mayor de 18 años que resida en la casa'; 'Certificación de Asistencia Nutricional (PAN)'; 'Certificación de Desempleo'; 'Certificación de ASUME'; 'Certificación del Seguro Social'; 'Recibo de Agua, Luz o teléfono a nombre del solicitante'; 'Estimado de Materiales del área afectada'; 'Proveer evidencia escrita del acuerdo con el contratista que realizará la mano de obra'; 'Foto de la vivienda'; 'Tres (3) cotizaciones certificadas por las ferreterías del listado de ASG' · Checked October 31, 2026

15. According to AFV, for HOME Program rehabilitation help you must hold title to the property and it must be your principal residence; the land must be segregated; the property cannot have mortgages or liens; it must be a single dwelling unit; and guidance is requested by writing to HOME@afv.pr.gov; and for its HOME temporary rent help it asks, among other documents, for the FEMA certification with your case number.

    Sources 14 · AFV, home page, 'Rehabilitación de su vivienda (Fondos HOME)': 'Debe ser titular de la propiedad y ser su residencia principal'; 'El Terreno debe estar segregado'; 'La propiedad no puede tener hipotecas y/o gravámenes'; 'Deberá ser una (1) unidad de vivienda'; 'Solicite una orientación escribiendo a HOME@afv.pr.gov'; 'Ayuda para renta temporera (Fondos HOME)'; 'Certificación de FEMA con # de caso' · Checked October 31, 2026

16. According to AVP, the first admission preference for its Section 8 voucher program goes to families involuntarily displaced by a declared natural disaster, including families whose FEMA housing assistance is ending, when the disaster left their home uninhabitable.

    Sources 15 · AVP, 'Criterios de Admisión por Preferencias' (Section 8): 'Las familias desplazadas involuntariamente por causa de una acción gubernamental o un desastre natural identificado por el gobierno federal o estatal mediante una Declaración de Emergencia'; 'Esta preferencia incluye a las familias cuya asistencia de vivienda provista por la Agencia Federal para el Manejo de Emergencias (“FEMA”) este finalizando'; 'tendrán prioridad sobre todas las demás familias'; 'el requerimiento de desalojar la unidad de vivienda como resultado de un desastre natural el cual causo que la unidad sea inhabitable' · Checked October 31, 2026