Status help
LOMA status check
Help users understand where to check official status and when to re-engage for case support.
Status questions usually come up after a file has already entered a FEMA workflow. This page explains where to check official status information, what details to have ready, and when it may help to ask for additional guidance.
Key takeaways
What to have ready
Frequently asked questions
How do I check the status of a LOMA directly with FEMA?
The two main official channels are the Online LOMC portal, where the submitter can log in with the original account, and the FEMA Map Service Center at MSC.fema.gov for issued determinations. The FEMA Map Information eXchange also handles status inquiries by phone and email.
How long before status changes after submission?
It is normal for a case to sit in a queued or received state for one to three weeks before substantive review begins. If no change appears after four to six weeks, a direct status inquiry is reasonable.
What should I do if the case appears to stall?
Confirm that FEMA did not issue a request for additional information to an email address you no longer monitor, check spam folders, and then contact FEMA with the case number. Missed RFIs are a very common reason a case appears frozen.
How do I recover a lost case number?
The Online LOMC portal stores cases under the submitter's account, and the FEMA Map Information eXchange can look up cases by property address and owner name. Keep any confirmation emails from submission because they contain the case number.
How do I read FEMA correspondence on my case?
FEMA letters generally identify the case number, the property, any issue FEMA identified, and the deadline to respond. Read the issue section carefully because it tells you exactly what elevation, datum, or scope item must be resolved.
When is it appropriate to escalate?
Escalation is reasonable when a case has been idle well beyond the typical processing window, when responses to an RFI have not been acknowledged, or when a closing deadline is imminent. Start with the FEMA Map Information eXchange, and include the case number, property address, and a clear summary.
How do I submit missing items that FEMA requested?
Use the same Online LOMC case to upload the requested documents rather than opening a new case. Submitting a fresh case usually restarts the review queue and slows everything down.
What happens after the final determination?
FEMA issues a determination letter that can be shared with the lender and insurer. The letter stays associated with the property, and the map designation on the effective FIRM is effectively amended for the covered structure or lot until the map is next revised.