The Indiana declaration: DR-4933
Last checked September 26, 2026. Disaster declarations and designated areas change — always confirm current status with FEMA and with Matthew.
Active — Individual Assistance FEMA's data shows major disaster DR-4933 declared for Indiana on August 25, 2026, for severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding during an incident period of August 11–24, 2026. FEMA's press release is dated August 26. Individual Assistance was designated for 21 counties at first, and an amendment on September 24, 2026 added Cass, Pike, and Putnam counties, bringing the total to 24.
Declaration dates are from FEMA's data and may differ by a day or two from press-release dates; confirm with Matthew.
Because this is a Presidential major disaster with Individual Assistance, it's the kind of declaration FHA's 203(h) program is built around. Official details are on FEMA's DR-4933 page.
The 24 Indiana counties designated for Individual Assistance
| Individual Assistance counties (DR-4933) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Carroll | Dearborn | Decatur |
| Delaware | Fayette | Franklin |
| Hamilton | Hancock | Henry |
| Lake | LaPorte | Madison |
| Marion | Morgan | Porter |
| Pulaski | Randolph | Rush |
| Tipton | Union | Wayne |
| Cass (added Sept 24, 2026) | Pike (added Sept 24, 2026) | Putnam (added Sept 24, 2026) |
The list stretches from Lake, Porter, and LaPorte counties in the northwest, through Marion and Hamilton counties in central Indiana, to Dearborn, Franklin, and Union counties along the eastern edge, plus Pike County in the southwest. Because an amendment added counties less than a week before this page was checked, it's worth rechecking FEMA's designated areas if your county isn't listed.
Indiana's 203(h) window is open. Tell Matthew your county and what happened to your home — he'll help you check eligibility.
Talk with MatthewNo down payment: how 100% financing works for Indiana survivors
FHA 203(h) loans don't require the normal 3.5% minimum down payment that standard FHA 203(b) mortgages require — eligible disaster victims can finance up to 100% of the purchase price. Closing costs, prepaid items, and FHA mortgage insurance still apply, and standard FHA underwriting and county loan limits still apply. For many Indiana families, a 0% down mortgage is what makes buying again realistic while an insurance claim is still open.
That can matter a great deal to a family that just lost its home and is paying for temporary housing while an insurance claim works its way through. Closing costs can be covered with your own funds, seller contributions within FHA limits, lender credits, or eligible gifts and grants. Matthew will walk through the numbers for your situation.
The deadline: about one year from August 25, 2026
FHA generally requires the 203(h) case number to be assigned within one year of the declaration date — for DR-4933, about August 25, 2027. If you live in Cass, Pike, or Putnam County, the clock generally still runs from the original August 25 declaration, not from the September 24 amendment, so you have a little less time than it might seem. Confirm your exact date with Matthew.
Options for Indiana homeowners and renters
Homeowners
Buy a replacement home anywhere you want to live, or rebuild on your lot — possibly with 203(h) combined with 203(k). If you still have a mortgage on the damaged home, call your servicer and read disaster mortgage relief options.
Renters
HUD says renters may be eligible too. If the rental you lived in was destroyed or left uninhabitable, 203(h) may be a path to owning a home, possibly close to the job and schools you already have.
Indiana's affected counties include both dense metro areas and rural farm country. In the metro counties, the replacement-home search may move faster because there's more inventory; in rural counties, rebuilding on your own land may be more practical. See rebuilding with 203(h) and 203(k).
Documents Indiana borrowers should gather
- Proof you lived at the damaged address before August 11, 2026 — Indiana driver's license or ID, utility bills, voter registration, lease or mortgage statement
- FEMA registration number and letters
- Insurance claim number and adjuster's report
- County or city damage assessment, if available, and photos
- Standard income, asset, and credit documents
The complete list is on the requirements page. Insurance matters here too: standard homeowner's policies typically cover wind and tornado damage but exclude flood, which is usually covered only by a separate flood policy.
Matthew is licensed in multiple states, not everywhere — tell Matthew where the property is and he'll confirm he can help there.
Frequently asked questions
My county was added on September 24. Am I eligible?
Cass, Pike, and Putnam were added for Individual Assistance on September 24, 2026. Eligible survivors there may use 203(h); the window generally runs from the August 25 declaration.
Is it really no down payment?
FHA 203(h) loans don't require the normal 3.5% minimum down payment that standard FHA 203(b) mortgages require — eligible disaster victims can finance up to 100% of the purchase price. Closing costs, prepaids, and FHA mortgage insurance still apply.
Do I have to buy in Indiana?
No. The replacement home can be anywhere you'll live as your primary residence, subject to FHA standards.
Find out if FHA 203(h) fits your situation
Tell Matthew a little about the property and your plans. He'll follow up by phone or email — no obligation.
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