Public Assistance Program

Our Mission

The mission of the Public Assistance (PA) Program is to provide supplemental financial assistance to state, local governments and certain private non-profit organizations for response and recovery activities required as a result of a disaster.   The PA Program provides assistance for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and permanent restoration of infrastructure.  

The section 422 of the Stafford Act outlines the function of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) reimbursement program.  The federal share of these expenses are typically not less than 75% of eligible costs.  Reimbursement is available to all eligible organizations and communities which meet the eligibility requirements. 

The PA Program also encourages protection from future damages by providing assistance for 404 Hazard Mitigation measures during the recovery process. 

The list of events that cause disasters include natural events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, storms, earthquakes, landslides, snowstorms, and droughts. 

Event (Disaster)
Communities are responsible for the protection of their residents and local emergency response forces will be the first line of defense when the event or disaster strikes.  After the event or disaster occurs damage assessments are done.

Damage Assessments
Most hazardous events exhibit the potential for causing extensive property damage as well as loss of life. In the event that such damage occurs, planned preliminary damage assessment procedures are essential for response and recovery operations by the affected political subdivision. When an emergency incident occurs, where local officials responsible for disaster operations determine that response and recovery efforts are beyond their control and capabilities, the local government will declare a local state of emergency.

Damage Assessments are accomplished in 3 phases:

After the declaration is made FEMA will designate the area eligible for assistance and types of assistance available.

Applicant's Briefing
A Public Assistance Applicant Briefing is a meeting conducted by the state for potential Applicants.  The briefing occurs after the disaster has been declared and addresses the application procedures, administrative requirements, funding and program eligibility criteria. 

Requesting Public Assistance (RPA)
The Request for Public Assistance is an applicants offical notification to FEMA of the intent to apply for Public Assistance.  The form outlines general information identifying the appllicant. 

The Request for Public Assistance MUST be submitted within 30 days of the date of designation of the areas declared.

Project Formulation
Project Formulation is the process of identifying the eligible scope of work and estimating the costs associated with that scope of work for each applicant project.

The applicant is responsible for identifying all work that is required by the disaster.

Closeout
To achieve closure FEMA must assure that all grants awards must meet disaster statutory and regulatory requirements.  This includes compliance with environmental and historical preservation requirements and any insurance purchase requirements.  In addition, any appeals must be resolved before closure can occur.

Appeal Process
Any determination related to Federal Assistance may be appealed.  The appeal must be submitted to the State within 60 days of receipt of notice of which is being appealed.

The following forms are used in the Public Assistance Program. Please click on the below link to open and view the document.

Alternate Project Fact Sheet

Authorization for Electronic Transfer

Contract Work Summary Form

Designation of Applicant Agent Form

Force Account Equipment Summary Form

Force Account Labor Summary Form

Fringe Benefit Example Form

Fringe Benefit Form

Historical Review Assessment Form

Improved Project Fact Sheet

Daily Labor Summary Form

Material Record Summary Form

PNP Eligibilty Checklist

PNP Facility Questionnaire

PNP Certification Form

Project Worksheet Form

Quarterly Progress Report Form

Rented Equipment Summary Form

Request for Alternate Project Form

Request for Improved Project Form

Request for Public Assistance Form (RPA)

Special Considerations Form

Summary of Documentation Form 508

Example Summary of Documentation Form 508

The following are Public Assistance guidance documents to help you on your road to recovery.  Please click on the link to view.

Public Assistance Guide

Public Assistance Digest

Debris Management Guide

Public Assistance Policy Manual