Above-ground safe room after 2011 Joplin, Missouri, tornado
Above-ground safe room after 2011 Joplin, Missouri, tornadoPreviously installed safe rooms, safe rooms currently under construction, or safe rooms scheduled to begin construction before receiving the "Notice to Proceed" are ineligible for this rebate.
Homeowners selected to receive a rebate may not design, build or install the safe room themselves.
The safe room types eligible for installation are prefabricated shelters that meet or exceed the specifications set forth in the most recent versions of FEMA publications 320 and 361. Many local building codes require a permit and inspection by local building inspectors.
A safe room may be installed in a new or existing home, either in an interior room or garage on the first floor, underground on the first floor, as a detached above-ground or underground safe room and within 100 feet of the home. Wherever it’s installed, the safe room should be readily accessible to all occupants.
Additional Eligibility Rules
- To be eligible, the safe room must be installed at primary residences and must be installed on property owned by the applicant. This safe room rebate program is for single-family homes only.
- Apartment complexes, duplexes and other multi-family residences are not eligible for this rebate, as they are considered businesses.
- If an applicant owns two or more homes, the applicant may only register for a safe room rebate for the primary residence.
- If an applicant lives in a mobile home, the applicant must own both the mobile home itself and the land it is located on to be eligible for the rebate.
- Individuals living in a rented house are not eligible for this rebate.
- Only one person may register per physical home address.
- Community or neighborhood safe rooms are not eligible for this rebate.
- Retrofitting or repairing an existing storm shelter to meet FEMA specifications does not qualify.
- The safe room types eligible for installation in the program will consist only of prefabricated shelters suitable for installation in above-ground and/or below-ground locations within the homeowner's residence (including garage) or outdoors within 100 feet of the foundation of the residence.
- If the applicant lives on historic property or in a historic district, he or she may be eligible for the rebate. However, other agencies will have to approve the applicant's specific situation. They may be required to provide more information or be deemed ineligible for the program.
- Applicants must pay the total invoice for the safe room and installation in order to receive the rebate, as well as provide copies of the cleared check or credit card statement.