The Montana Disaster and Emergency Services Recovery team works with FEMA to assist individuals, households, and businesses after disasters.

The Individual Assistance Program helps people recover by offering aid for home repairs, transportation, funeral expenses, crisis counseling, unemployment assistance, and Small Business Administration loans. Funds are limited and cannot duplicate insurance or other federal assistance.

Once the president signs a disaster declaration, affected individuals should be informed through outreach and press releases. To apply for aid, they must call FEMA’s toll-free hotline at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) (TTY: 1-800-462-7585). Applications are processed through FEMA’s National Tele-registration Center, and further assistance may be available at local Disaster Recovery Centers.

Since Montana does not have state funds for Individual Assistance, it partners with Montana Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (MTVOAD) to help when FEMA aid is unavailable.