Statement on Court Order Regarding Transitional Sheltering Assistance Program for Puerto Rico

WASHINGTON - FEMA is aware of the Judge’s ruling regarding the end of the Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program for Puerto Rico and is working with its vendor and notifying hotels that the TSA program has been extended until 5 July to comply with the Court’s order. Beyond that, FEMA will not comment on pending litigation.

Additionally, FEMA is announcing that it will extend the Transportation Assistance for Puerto Rico disaster survivors on the U.S. mainland, back to Puerto Rico for an additional 60 days. Survivors now have until Aug. 30 to take advantage of FEMA’s Transportation Assistance program, which covers the cost of airfare, luggage and pet fees for their return to Puerto Rico from the continental United States. Transportation Assistance provides direct payments to airlines to cover flight expenses for approved applicants, their household members, household pets and service animals. Covered costs also include up to $100 in luggage fees per person. To be eligible for transportation back to Puerto Rico, a survivor’s primary residence before the storms must have been on the island, and he or she must have been displaced from that residence. Survivors must also have been checked into a TSA-participating hotel on May 3. Survivors who use Transportation Assistance have until Aug. 30 to book and complete their travel back to Puerto Rico. Survivors can check on their eligibility for transportation assistance and notify FEMA about their travel plans by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585.