FEMA Continued Temporary Housing Assistance (CTHA) Guide

Month 2: Filing CTHA with FEMA at 60 days

Key Program Updates (Contextual)

• Maximum Assistance Increase: The maximum amount of Individual and Household Program (IHP) financial assistance has been increased to $43,600 for housing assistance and $43,600 for other needs assistance. This increase in the award amount applies to any single emergency or major disaster declared on or after October 1, 2024. This adjustment was based on a 2.5 percent increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for the 12-month period ending in August 2024.
• Policy Guide: FEMA has made significant amendments to the Individual Assistance Program and Policy Guide (IAPPG 1.1) in an effort to assist disaster survivors more effectively.
• Long-Term Transition: CTHA is expected to be ending soon, and most survivors should be well on their way to either FEMA Transitional Housing Assistance (18 months with extensions) or HUD CDBG-DR Rental Assistance (up to 22 months).

1. Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for CTHA, your household must meet specific conditions:

Condition	Details
Prior Assistance Used	You were awarded FEMA Rental Assistance and can show you used the grant money to pay for your temporary housing needs (temporary housing, including expenses for hotels, motels, or other temporary housing).
Housing Status	You cannot return to your home because it is not safe, uninhabitable, or destroyed. Your pre-disaster primary home cannot be lived in or accessed due to the disaster.
Financial Need	You cannot afford to pay for temporary housing. You must have exhausted all available funds and cannot continue to pay for temporary housing.
No Duplication of Benefits	Your household's housing needs are not being met by another source. You must not be receiving housing assistance from another public agency, such as HUD, the VA, a local housing agency, or other organizations.
No Secondary Home	Your household does not own a secondary or vacation home within a reasonable commuting distance of the damaged home that is available for your housing needs.
Permanent Housing Plan (Recovery Strategy)	You must establish and commit to a Permanent Housing Plan (Recovery Strategy) and continue to show efforts toward meeting your goal. You must show that you have looked and are continuing to look for an alternative, adequate home that is within reasonable commuting distance of work/school and is within your financial means.
If Rebuilding	If you have chosen to rebuild your pre-disaster primary home, you must show that your household has been and is currently working on those repairs.

2. Duration and Financial Assistance Details

Duration

• CTHA is provided in increments of 90 days (3 months).
• If you continue to meet eligibility criteria, you can receive help for up to 18 months from the date the disaster was declared.
• You must renew your application every 3 months for assistance.
• Extensions should be filed 30 days before they end to ensure you do not miss a single month.

Amount of Assistance

The amount you can receive is calculated based on three months of assistance. FEMA pays whichever amount is less:

• Your actual monthly costs for rent and utilities.
• The Fair Market Rent (FMR) value published by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for your metro area. HUD Fair Market Rent Documentation System
  HUD Fair Market Rent Calculator by ZIP

Transition to Long-Term Housing

FEMA assistance is temporary. If you are still rebuilding after the 18 months, you may then contact your state's HUD CDBG-DR managers for continued assistance of up to 22 months (which can include mortgage assistance if eligible).

3. Applying for CTHA (First-Time Application)

The application for CTHA requires submitting documentation on your pre-disaster/current housing costs and income. The public reporting burden for this data collection is estimated to average 1 hour per response.

A. Required Form and Contact Information

The form required is the Application for Continued Temporary Housing (OMB Control No. 1660-0061, Expiration Date: 10/31/2027).

Helpline: If you have questions or need help, call FEMA's Helpline at 1-800-621-3362

Download the FEMA Continued Temporary Housing Assistance Form (pdf).

Process Steps:

• Fill out the form (STEP ONE): Items 1 through 6 (Applicant Name, Disaster No., Registration No., Addresses, Phones) will be auto-generated using your registration information.
• Attach supporting documentation (STEP TWO): Gather and include all required documents.
• Submit the application (STEP THREE): Send the form and supporting documents to FEMA.

B. Required Supporting Documents (First Round)

You must return the form with the following documents:

• Current Lease or Rental Agreement: A copy of your current lease or rental agreement. This document must include the location, amount of rent, length of lease, number of occupants, and signatures of the landlord and tenant.
  Editor's Note: State managers often deny assistance if a lease is signed longer than the typical 3-month grant support period unless proof of ability to make payments without assistance is provided.
• Prior Rental Assistance Usage: Documents (like rent and utility receipts) showing your prior Rental Assistance was used for temporary housing.
• Current Income: Documents showing current income for all household members 18 years and older. You must provide the frequency at which the individual is paid.
  Note on Income: Income includes wages, salaries, interest, dividends, Social Security payments, retirement funds, disability benefits, unemployment compensation, and welfare assistance. Editor's Note: You should show taxable income and demonstrate a plan for more permanent housing. Listing zero income may lead to state managers perceiving a risk and denying assistance.
• Pre-Disaster Housing Costs: Documents showing current housing costs for your pre-disaster home if you are still responsible for them (e.g., mortgage, insurance, utilities).
  Note on Mortgage: If you are still paying a mortgage, insurance, and utilities, you may be able to declare a financial hardship if these costs exceed 30% of your total household income. However, FEMA/HUD assistance is based on the "lesser" amounts, so they may pay your mortgage instead of rent, but they will not pay for both rent and mortgage.

C. Permanent Housing Plan (Recovery Strategy)

On the application (Item 10), you will need to select the plan that best describes your efforts:

Situation	Permanent Housing Plan Options
I am a RENTER	Locate a rental resource within my family's financial ability OR Move in with friends/family (must supply projected move-in date).
I am a HOMEOWNER	Repair or rebuild my damaged home OR Purchase a home using my disaster related assistance (including any insurance) OR Become a renter OR Move in with friends/family (must supply projected move-in date).

4. Applying for Subsequent Assistance (Renewal)

If you have already received CTHA payments (e.g., two payments) and still need more assistance, you will need to complete the Supplemental Application for Continued Temporary Housing Assistance form.

You must provide two types of documents to demonstrate continued need:

• Proof of Prior CTHA Usage: Documents (like rent receipts) showing your prior CTHA payment was used for temporary housing.
• Progress Toward Permanent Housing Plan: Documents showing progress toward your recovery plan, such as:
• A written statement explaining how long it will take to finish repairs, along with receipts for materials purchased.
• Contractor estimates, agreements, or other documents showing a timeline for finishing repairs or construction.
• Permits for home repairs or construction.
• A written statement from your landlord/property management confirming repairs will be made, including an estimated move-in date (applicable if returning to the pre-disaster home).

5. Submitting Your Documents

You can send your CTHA application and supporting documents to FEMA using one of the following methods:

• Online: Uploading to your disaster assistance account at DisasterAssistance.gov.
• Mail: FEMA, P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055.
• Fax: 1-800-827-8112.
• In-Person: Visiting a Disaster Recovery Center, if available.

6. Assistance and Appeals

Contact for Questions

If you have any questions about completing the document, call the FEMA Disaster Help line as soon as possible:

• 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)
• TTY (hearing/speech impaired only): 1-800-462-7585

Appeals Process

If you disagree with FEMA's decision regarding eligibility, amount, cancellation, rejection, or denial of assistance, you may appeal the decision.

• You must file your appeal within 60 days after the date FEMA notifies you of the award or denial of assistance.
• You can use the optional Appeal Request form included in your decision letter or write and sign a letter to send with supporting documents.