Houses of Worship

Some houses of worship may be eligible for assistance through FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) program following a federally declared disaster. FEMA Public Assistance can help eligible applicants recover certain disaster-related costs, including emergency work and the repair or restoration of eligible damaged facilities. Houses of worship that provide eligible services may qualify under FEMA’s PA rules. For detailed eligibility requirements, documentation standards, and application steps, visit TEMA’s FEMA Public Assistance pages.

If your house of worship is impacted by a disaster:

• Document damage and impacts with photos and written descriptions.
• Keep records of cleanup, emergency work, repairs, contracts, invoices, and receipts.
• Gather insurance documents and records showing ownership or legal responsibility for the facility.
• Review FEMA Public Assistance and SBA disaster assistance options.
• Contact TEMA if you need help identifying the appropriate assistance pathway. 

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) also offers disaster assistance to eligible private nonprofit organizations in declared disaster areas. SBA disaster loans may help cover physical damage and, in some cases, economic injury, depending on the declaration and program. For some houses of worship that provide essential non-critical services, applying for an SBA disaster loan is an important step in the recovery process because FEMA may require that application before determining eligibility for certain permanent work costs.

Insurance remains an important source of recovery funding after a disaster. Houses of worship should notify their insurance carrier promptly and keep copies of policies, claim information, adjuster reports, and settlement documents. Federal assistance generally does not replace insured losses, so applicants should maintain complete insurance and damage records throughout the recovery process.