Emergency Grants 2026: Hardship and Crisis Funding for Individuals and Nonprofits

FEMA Individual Assistance: After a Disaster

Following a presidentially declared disaster, FEMA provides Individual Assistance grants for eligible residents. Programs include:

• Individuals and Households Program (IHP): Up to $43,900 for housing repair/replacement and other serious needs (2026 cap, adjusted annually)
• Serious Needs Assistance: Immediate help for essential items — food, water, supplies, childcare, medical expenses
• Displacement Assistance: Temporary housing funds while your home is being repaired

Apply at DisasterAssistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362. Apply as soon as a disaster declaration is issued — there are application deadlines (typically 60 days after the declaration).

Emergency Rental Assistance

Though the main federal Emergency Rental Assistance programs wound down, many states and localities still operate ongoing emergency rental assistance using state and local funds. If you're facing eviction, contact:

• Your local Community Action Agency (find at communityactionpartnership.com)
• 211 — dial or text "211" for local resource referrals
• HUD-approved housing counselors (find at hud.gov/housingcounselor)
• Your local Public Housing Authority

LIHEAP: Emergency Utility Assistance

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides emergency heating and cooling assistance to low-income households — covering utility bills, emergency repairs to heating/cooling systems, and crisis intervention (preventing shutoff). Benefits average $400–$1,000 per household. Eligibility: typically income below 60% of state median income. Apply through your state's LIHEAP office — find your state contact at acf.hhs.gov/ocs/programs/liheap.

Hardship Grants for Individuals

Several federal programs function as emergency grants for individuals in crisis:

• SNAP Emergency Allotments: Additional food benefits during crises — check with your state SNAP agency
• VA Emergency Financial Assistance: For veterans facing sudden financial hardship — contact your local VA
• Social Security Emergency Payments: For SSI recipients in disaster areas
• Tribal Emergency Funds: For tribal members — contact your tribal nation's social services department

Emergency Grants for Nonprofits

Nonprofits facing unexpected crises (disaster damage, sudden funding loss, operational emergencies) have several sources:

• Community Foundation Emergency Funds: Most community foundations maintain rapid-response funds for local nonprofits — search for your local community foundation
• United Way Emergency Response: Local United Way chapters often deploy emergency grants during crises
• FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grants: For nonprofits to rebuild more resiliently after a disaster
• SBA Disaster Loans: Low-interest disaster loans for nonprofits — not a grant but essential for recovery

Finding Emergency Help Fast

In any emergency: dial 211 first. The 211 network connects callers to local emergency services across 98% of the US — housing, food, utilities, healthcare, mental health, childcare, and more. Available 24/7 in most states. You can also search at 211.org. For disaster-specific needs, DisasterAssistance.gov aggregates all federal programs and shows which apply based on your disaster and location.