Wednesday, September 16, 2026

Update on Federal Disaster Response in Northwest Indiana

Today, I wanted to share information on FEMA Rental Assistance that is available to those impacted by the August 11 storm.

According to FEMA, if your home was damaged and you are unable to safely return or need temporary housing while repairs are underway, FEMA may be able to provide financial assistance for temporary rental expenses.

FEMA Rental Assistance is intended to cover the monthly rent amount, which may include a security deposit, at a place other than your damaged home. The approved rental amount will be based on fair market rates as determined by HUD.

The initial award for Rental Assistance may cover up to two months of rent, and to continue to be eligible for Rental Assistance, you must prove an ongoing need, which may be that suitable housing is not available or that your permanent housing plan has not been completed through no fault of your own.

You may qualify for continued assistance if you demonstrate your disaster-related financial need and show you are developing a permanent housing plan or demonstrate progress toward one. You must continue to work toward obtaining permanent housing to remain eligible for Continued Rental Assistance.

To apply for FEMA Rental Assistance, as well as other types of disaster assistance, please visit disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362.

As always, if you or someone you know was impacted by the August 11 storm and needs assistance navigating the recovery process or identifying any available assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office at 219-795-1844 or mrvan.house.gov.