Indiana Disaster Relief Program: State Fund, FEMA Aid, and Where to Get Help

How the Indiana disaster relief program works

Most storms, floods, and tornadoes in Indiana never get a federal disaster declaration. FEMA only provides help to households when damage across an area is large enough for the governor to ask for it and for the President to approve it. Indiana created the State Disaster Relief Fund to fill that gap, so families are not left with nothing when federal help never comes.

Here is how the fund works, based on IDHS announcements and county emergency management notices:

• A local declaration comes first. Your city or county has to declare a local disaster. IDHS teams then assess damage alongside local officials. If the event qualifies, the state opens the fund for that event and lists the eligible counties.
• Only uninsured or underinsured losses. The fund does not replace insurance. If your policy covers the damage, the insurance company pays first. IDHS has said the fund cannot be used to pay insurance deductibles.
• Primary residence only. Help is limited to the home you live in most of the year. Second homes, rentals you own, and vacation cabins do not qualify.
• Essential items. County notices list eligible costs such as needed home repairs, essential furniture and appliances, essential tools, debris removal, medical devices, and essential transportation. Luxury items and landscaping are generally not covered.

The money comes from the state budget, not from FEMA, which is why IDHS can adjust the cap for each event. When many people apply at once, the state has lowered the limit so the fund can reach more households.

Payment limits and recent state fund events

State law sets the maximum State Disaster Relief Fund payment to an individual household at $25,000, a level IDHS says has applied since July 1, 2024. That is a ceiling, not a promise. For each event, IDHS decides how much it can pay, and recent events have varied a lot.

News reports in September 2026 said IDHS had reviewed about 40,000 state fund applications for the August event, and that the state was moving money into the fund from reserves as needed. Payments took about a month to start arriving. If you are waiting on a decision, keep your contact details current and answer any request for documents quickly.

Applying to the state fund

IDHS posts an online application for each open event on its State Disaster Relief Fund page at in.gov/dhs. In 2026, the state made Indiana 211 the main point of contact for the fund. You can dial 211, call 866-211-9966, or text IN211HELP to 898211 if you need help starting the form or cannot get online.

Have these ready before you start:

• Proof that the damaged home is your primary residence, such as a driver's license, utility bill, or lease.
• Your insurance policy information, and the claim decision or denial letter if you have one.
• Photos or video of the damage, plus a list of damaged essential items.
• Repair estimates or receipts for work you have already paid for.
• Bank account details, in case the form offers direct deposit.

Apply even if you have already applied to FEMA. The state fund and FEMA are separate programs with separate forms. Indiana legislators noted after the August 2026 floods that people who applied to the state fund still had to file a FEMA application to be considered for federal help. Neither program will pay twice for the same loss, so report any help you receive.

FEMA Individual Assistance in Indiana

FEMA Individual Assistance is the federal program that gives grants to households after a major disaster. It is only available when the President approves a major disaster declaration that includes Individual Assistance for your county. An emergency declaration alone usually covers response costs, not household grants.

When it is available, FEMA can help with:

• Temporary housing, such as rental help if your home is unlivable.
• Home repair to make your primary home safe, sanitary, and functional. This is not meant to restore it to how it was before.
• Other needs, such as essential personal property, medical and dental costs, childcare, funeral costs, and transportation caused by the disaster.

FEMA grants are capped by federal law, and the cap is adjusted each year. FEMA does not pay for losses insurance already covered. File your insurance claim first, then apply at DisasterAssistance.gov, by phone at 1-800-621-3362, or through the FEMA app.

For the August 2026 storms, the reported deadline to apply was October 25, 2026, so it has passed. If you missed it because of a hospital stay, a death in the family, or a similar reason, call FEMA and ask whether a late application can be considered. Explain the reason in writing.

Indiana disaster declarations in 2025 and 2026

We checked FEMA's Indiana page and press releases on November 6, 2026. These are the Indiana declarations from 2025 and 2026:

The 21 counties approved for FEMA Individual Assistance under DR-4933-IN are Carroll, Dearborn, Decatur, Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Hamilton, Hancock, Henry, Lake, LaPorte, Madison, Marion, Morgan, Porter, Pulaski, Randolph, Rush, Tipton, Union, and Wayne. Eleven of those counties also received Public Assistance for local government repairs.

The spring 2025 storms show why the state fund matters. The federal declaration covered roads and public buildings, but not households, so the State Disaster Relief Fund was the main source of public money for families.

State fund, FEMA, and SBA side by side

SBA disaster loans, explained plainly

After many disasters, the U.S. Small Business Administration offers low-interest disaster loans to homeowners and renters as well as businesses. These are loans, not grants, so they must be repaid. We describe them here because FEMA and the state may refer you to SBA, not because we recommend borrowing.

According to the SBA physical damage loan page:

• Homeowners can borrow up to $500,000 to repair or replace a primary residence.
• Homeowners and renters can borrow up to $100,000 for personal property such as furniture, clothing, appliances, and cars.
• Rates are capped at 4 percent for people who cannot get credit elsewhere, with terms up to 30 years and the first payment deferred for 12 months.
• Insurance money is subtracted from the amount you can borrow.

Two practical points. First, you do not have to accept an SBA loan if you are offered one. Second, an SBA application can be part of the process for some FEMA help, so read FEMA's letters carefully and ask FEMA directly if you are unsure whether you need to fill one out.

Help for farms and crop losses

Indiana farmers have separate options through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The farmers.gov disaster recovery hub lists them, and your county Farm Service Agency (FSA) office can tell you which apply to your loss.

• Crop insurance: if you have a federal crop insurance policy, report damage to your agent right away. The USDA Risk Management Agency sets the rules and deadlines.
• Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP): covers some crops for which federal crop insurance is not available, if you bought NAP coverage before the loss.
• Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP): helps with livestock deaths above normal mortality caused by eligible weather.
• Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-raised Fish (ELAP): covers some feed, water, and disease losses.
• Emergency Conservation Program (ECP): helps repair farmland, fences, and conservation structures after a natural disaster.
• Emergency loans: FSA offers these in counties with a USDA disaster designation. As with SBA, these are loans to be repaid.

For LIP and ELAP, FSA generally asks for a notice of loss within 30 days of when the loss became apparent, so contact your county office early and take dated photos.

Charities, VOAD, and the Red Cross

Volunteer groups often reach people before any government money does. Indiana Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (Indiana VOAD) is the state affiliate of National VOAD. Its members include faith-based relief groups, national disaster charities, and local nonprofits that help with debris removal, mucking out flooded basements, tarping roofs, and case management.

• American Red Cross: runs shelters, hands out supplies, and offers emergency help and health and mental health support. See Red Cross disaster relief and recovery services.
• Long-term recovery groups: after larger events, local groups form to help families with unmet needs once FEMA and insurance are done. Indiana 211 and your county emergency management agency can tell you if one is active.
• Cleanup hotlines: after big events, volunteer groups often open a crisis cleanup line. Ask 211 for the current number.

Charities ask what other help you received so they can stretch donations. Keep your FEMA and state fund letters handy. For other statewide help with bills while you recover, see our guide to Indiana assistance programs.

How to document storm and flood damage

Good records make every application faster, from insurance to FEMA to charities. Start before you clean up, if it is safe to go inside.

1. Photograph and video everything. Get wide shots of each room and the outside, then close-ups. Show water lines on walls and the date.
2. Make a list of damaged items with rough age and cost. Keep receipts if you have them.
3. Keep samples of damaged flooring or carpet if your insurer asks, or photograph them before you throw them out.
4. Save every receipt for cleanup supplies, hotel stays, generators, and repairs.
5. Get written estimates from licensed contractors for larger repairs.
6. Keep a call log with dates, names, and claim numbers for your insurer, IDHS, FEMA, and 211.
7. Report damage locally. Counties use resident damage reports to decide whether to request state and federal help, so report even if you are not sure you qualify.

The federal Ready.gov financial preparedness page has a checklist for keeping key documents safe before the next storm.

Avoiding disaster repair scams

• FEMA, IDHS, and 211 never charge a fee to apply or to speed up a payment.
• FEMA inspectors carry photo ID and will not ask for money or your bank PIN.
• Be careful with door-to-door contractors who want large cash deposits. Get a written contract and check reviews.
• Report fraud to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the Indiana Attorney General.

Your first two weeks, step by step

1. Get safe. Call 211 or the Red Cross for shelter, food, and supplies.
2. Document the damage before cleanup, and report it to your county.
3. File an insurance claim right away, including flood insurance if you have it.
4. Apply to the State Disaster Relief Fund if IDHS opens it for your county.
5. Apply to FEMA if your county is in a major disaster declaration with Individual Assistance.
6. Ask 211 about volunteer cleanup and any long-term recovery group in your area.
7. Contact your county FSA office if you farm.

If the disaster cost you work, our Indiana hardship relief guide covers township assistance and other short-term help.

Related guides

• Disasters and emergencies
• Government assistance for home repair
• Charities that help with home repairs
• Indiana rental assistance

Frequently asked questions

This guide is general information. Eligibility, limits, and deadlines are set by IDHS, FEMA, SBA, and USDA for each event. National Relief Program is an independent website and is not affiliated with the State of Indiana or any government agency.