Chapter 2 › I.G–H Appeal Deadlines; Appeal Review and Decisions

What are the deadlines for appeals, and how fast does FEMA decide?

FEMA term

Appeal deadlines; appeal review and decisions

Short answer

You have 60 days from the date FEMA transmits a determination or first appeal decision to file with the recipient. The recipient has 120 days from that same date to forward it to FEMA with its recommendation. Miss either deadline and FEMA denies the appeal as untimely.

What FEMA requires

If day 60 or 120 falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the next business day counts.
FEMA reviews the appeal against the administrative record and the rules for that incident. It may send an RFI or ask independent experts for a technical review.
A second appeal decision is FEMA’s final administrative decision. A determination or first appeal decision you don’t appeal on time also becomes final.

<table class="pt-table"><thead><tr><th>Step</th><th>Deadline</th><th>Counted from</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Applicant files first or second appeal with the recipient</td><td>60 days</td><td>FEMA transmits the determination or first appeal decision</td></tr><tr><td>Recipient forwards the appeal to FEMA with its recommendation</td><td>120 days</td><td>The same FEMA transmittal date</td></tr><tr><td>FEMA issues its appeal decision</td><td>90 days</td><td>Receiving the appeal (or the requested information or technical review)</td></tr><tr><td>Responding to an RFI</td><td>At least 15 days, as set in the RFI</td><td>The date of the RFI</td></tr></tbody></table>

Documentation

Proof of the transmittal date, proof of when you filed with the recipient, and the recipient’s transmittal to FEMA.

Watch out · Govstar practitioner advice

Both deadlines run from FEMA’s transmittal date, not when you received or opened it. In FEMA’s second-appeal decisions, late forwarding by the recipient has repeatedly cost applicants their appeals, so track the recipient’s 120-day date too.

Govstar summarizes FEMA’s Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide in plain language and links to the official text. Govstar is independent and not affiliated with FEMA. This is general guidance, not legal advice.