Privacy Impact Assessment
DHS/FEMA/PIA-049 Individual Assistance Program
Page 6
questionnaire provides a list of the types of assistance and the option to print the assistance
descriptions at a later time or to email assistance descriptions as a reference for later.
To apply for disaster assistance, survivors have four options: visit the website
www.disasterassistance.gov (mobile or full desktop site), call the FEMA Disaster Assistance
Helpline and speak to an NPSC representative, register directly with a member of the DSA cadre,
or apply using paper forms at a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC).
Survivors may also check the
status of their registration by creating or accessing an online account on
www.disasterassistance.gov. If a survivor decides to apply online, he or she uses FEMA’s online
Disaster Assistance Center (DAC) to complete the registration process. If a survivor chooses to
register in person with a DSA cadre member, the DSA cadre member collects the survivor’s PII
using a FEMA-issued mobile device and enters it directly into DAIP. If a survivor calls the Disaster
Assistance Helpline, an NPSC representative will read a Privacy Notice, collect the survivor’s PII,
and enter it into DAIP.
Regardless of the method of registration, FEMA collects the survivor and co-applicant’s
PII to determine whether the survivor is eligible for FEMA assistance. The survivor either enters
the information into the online form or provides the information directly to the DSA or NPSC
representative. This information includes name, date of birth, and Social Security number (SSN)
of the applicant and co-applicant, as well as address, household bank account information, contact
information, the names and ages of all occupants, information about the damaged dwelling,
ownership or renter status, insurance information, disaster-related expenses (medical, dental, child
care), disaster-related vehicle damage, emergency needs, business damage, and income
information.
Regardless of the method of registration, the information collected from survivors is
initially entered into DAIP. DAIP then disseminates the information to NEMIS-IA and the other
IA IT systems that require the information to accomplish their purposes in facilitating the IA
process. DAIP disseminates information based on eligibility determination, and NEMIS-IA
determines the following: FEMA Disaster Registration Number, which is a unique identifier for
the applicant’s file; Application Status (“In-Process,” “Submitted” “Approved,” or “Denied”);
The mission of the DSA program is to build and sustain an expeditionary workforce that can establish a timely
presence primarily focused on addressing the needs of disproportionately impacted populations and disaster
survivors. DSA cadre members register survivors for disaster assistance, provide guidance on the registration
process, and provide an overview of the assistance available through FEMA.
See Individuals and Households Program Unified Guidance, FP 104-009-03 (September 2016), p. 31, available at
https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1483567080828-
1201b6eebf9fbbd7c8a070fddb308971/FEMAIHPUG_CoverEdit_December2016.pdf.
A co-applicant is often included to allow an individual other than the main applicant to be able to check the status
of the application. Under most circumstances, the co-applicant and the applicant are spouses or domestic partners. If
the co-applicant is not listed as such, FEMA personnel cannot discuss the application status or reveal any details of
the application to that individual. Without a co-applicant, FEMA can only discuss the application status with the
original applicant.