Axios - How your GoFundMe could impact your FEMA payout

Sareen Habeshian
11 mins ago



Hundreds of GoFundMe pages to help friends, neighbors and even strangers impacted by the L.A.-area fires are being shared online, but the language of their fundraising pages could curb the FEMA aid they receive.

The big picture: By law, FEMA cannot duplicate benefits people receive from another source, according to the agency.

• This has prompted social media warnings about treading carefully with the wording of online fundraisers, including by using general language or words like "temporary" in the descriptions of GoFundMe pages.

Zoom in: If a person lists specific disaster-related expenses on a GoFundMe page (like home repairs) they won't be able to receive FEMA funding for the same expenses.

• This also applies to money or items received from charities and nonprofits, a FEMA spokesperson told Axios.
• The agency typically tracks this by asking people applying for aid if there is any funding that is going to replace the item, whether through insurance or otherwise, the spokesperson said.
• If funding is denied, individuals can appeal the FEMA decision.

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