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Chapter 2 › I.C–E Facilitated Discussions; Requests for Information; Notification of an Ineligibility Determination

What happens when FEMA asks for more information or denies something?

FEMA term
Requests for information; notification of an ineligibility determination; facilitated discussions
Short answer

FEMA asks for missing information through a request for information (RFI) with a deadline of at least 15 days. Miss it without an approved extension and FEMA denies whatever it couldn’t verify. Any denial comes as a determination memo explaining what was denied, why, and how to appeal.

What FEMA requires

  • The RFI deadline depends on the volume and type of information requested, with a minimum of 15 days.
  • Ask for an extension before the deadline, through the recipient, if you need more time.
  • A determination memo must state what was denied and the amount, the legal or policy basis, and your appeal rights. It is sent electronically to you and the recipient.
  • Determinations can come from any part of the project, including Validate as You Go (VAYGo) audit findings.
  • If a dispute stalls, FEMA may offer a facilitated discussion led by an alternative dispute resolution specialist.

Documentation

Your complete RFI response, any extension request and approval, and the determination memo with its transmittal date.

Watch out · Govstar practitioner advice

Treat every RFI response as the first draft of your appeal. FEMA decides appeals on the administrative record, and the RFI response is usually its strongest piece.

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.