Public Assistance
Public Assistance begins with the Disaster Declaration Process.
When an area has received a Presidential declaration of an emergency or major disaster, then its state, tribal, territorial, and local governments, and certain types of private non-profits, may be eligible for public assistance (PA).
RIEMA (Grantee) administers the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance (PA) Grant Program. Federal assistance will be granted when the situation is clearly beyond the capability of both local and state governments.
The PA Program provides supplemental grants to state, tribal, territorial, and local governments, and certain types of private non-profits, so communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies.
This Program is available to assist with reimbursement of repairs to damaged eligible facilities. It is made available to eligible applicants located in a designated damage area. Per the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, the federal share of assistance is not less than 75% of the eligible cost for emergency measures and permanent restoration.
An applicant must be a state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) organization or a certain type of private nonprofit organization (PNP).
Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide
The Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide (PAPPG) is a comprehensive document provided by FEMA that outlines the policies and procedures for the Public Assistance (PA) program. It serves as a consolidated resource for evaluating eligibility and managing recovery efforts following federally declared disasters.
Eligibility for Public Assistance Grant Funding
The four basic components of PA eligibility are the applicant, the facility, the work, and the cost.
- An applicant is a state, territory, tribe, local government, or specific type of private nonprofit organization.
- A facility must be a building, public works system, equipment, or improved and maintained natural feature.
- Work is categorized as either "emergency" or "permanent." It must be required as a result of the declared incident, located within the designated disaster area, and is the legal responsibility of the eligible Applicant.
- Costs are expenses tied directly to eligible work, and must be adequately documented, authorized, necessary and reasonable. Eligible costs include labor, equipment, materials, contract work, and management costs.
Eligible Types of Work
Public Assistance is categorized into two types of work: Emergency and Permanent.
The performance period for Emergency Work Public Assistance Grants is normally within 6 months after the presidential declaration. The performance period for Permanent Work Public Assistance Grants is normally within 18 months after the presidential declaration. The performance period of both of these types of grants can be extended, provided an appropriate request for extension is submitted to the state (grantee) by the local jurisdiction or agency (subgrantee). Requests for extension of the performance period are submitted through RIEMA.
Emergency Work Eligibility (Categories A and B)
To be eligible, work must be the legal responsibility of an eligible applicant. Emergency response is a governmental function. As a result, for private nonprofit (PNP) applicants, eligible emergency work is generally limited to that associated with an eligible PNP facility. To qualify for assistance, the work must be the legal responsibility of an eligible applicant. Emergency response is considered a governmental function. Therefore, for private nonprofit (PNP) applicants, eligible emergency work is typically limited to tasks related to an eligible PNP facility.
Debris removal activities, such as clearance, removal, recycling, and disposal, are eligible under category A if the removal is in the public interest, based on whether the work is necessary to:
- Eliminate immediate threats to life, public and safety; or
- Eliminate immediate threats of significant damage to improved 245 public or private property; or
- Ensure economic recovery of the affected community to the benefit of the community-at-large;246 or
- Reduce or limit the risk to life and property by removing substantially damaged structures and associated ancillary facilities as needed to convert property acquired using Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds for uses compatible with open space, recreation, or wetlands management practices. Such removal must be completed within two years of the declaration date unless extended by the Assistant Administrator of the Recovery Directorate at FEMA Headquarters.
Category B - Emergency Protective Measures
Emergency protective measures conducted before, during, and after an incident are eligible if the measures:
- Eliminate or lessen immediate threats to lives, public health or safety; or
- Eliminate or lessen immediate threats of significant additional damage to improved public or private property in a cost-effective manner.
FEMA may require certification by federal or SLTT government officials that a threat exists, including:
- Identification and evaluation of the threat; and
- Recommendations of the work necessary to cope with the threat.
Permanent Work Eligibility (Categories C-G)
Section 406 of the Stafford Act authorizes FEMA to provide assistance for both permanent work (categories C-G) and building code and floodplain management administration and enforcement activities (category I). Permanent work is subject to insurance and maintenance requirements to protect facilities against future loss. This requirement applies to insurable facilities or property (buildings, contents, equipment, and vehicles). Work must also comply with all applicable environmental and historic preservation laws, executive orders, and regulations.
Category C - Roads and Bridges
Category D - Water Control Facilities
Category E - Buildings and Equipment
Category G- Parks, Recreational, Other
Building Code and Floodplain Management Administration and Enforcement (Category I)
This category within the FEMA PA program focuses on activities related to building codes and floodplain management.
Grant Management and Administration (Category Z)
FEMA provides contributions for management costs that a recipient or subrecipient incurs in administering and managing PA awards under a major disaster or emergency declaration. Eligible activities include any indirect cost, direct administrative cost, and other administrative expense associated with developing and managing eligible PA projects under a major disaster or emergency. For recipients, FEMA provides PA funding for management costs based on actual costs incurred up to 7 percent of the total award amount. For subrecipients, FEMA provides PA funding for management costs based on actual costs incurred up to 5 percent of a subrecipient’s total award amount.