Disaster Financial
Management Guide
Guidance for State, Local, Tribal & Territorial Partners
April 2020
Federal Emergency Management Agency 1
Table of Contents
1. Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 3
Purpose .................................................................................................................... 3
Background .............................................................................................................. 4
2. Skills and Capabilities ......................................................................................................... 6
Disaster Financial Management Team Composition ............................................... 6
Project and Portfolio Management .......................................................................... 8
Knowledge of Procurement and Contracting Practices ......................................... 11
3. Disaster Financial Management Activities .......................................................................... 16
Pre-Disaster Activities ............................................................................................ 18
Initial Post-Disaster Activities................................................................................. 22
Longer-Term Post-Disaster Activities ..................................................................... 25
4. C
onsolidated Resource List ............................................................................................... 28
5. Glossary ........................................................................................................................... 31
6. Acronym List .................................................................................................................... 33
Appendix A: Introduction to Financial Assistance Programs ........................................................ 36
Types of Disaster Financial Assistance ........................................................................... 36
The Role of Presidential Disaster Declarations ............................................................... 37
Appendix B: Timeline of Common Federal Disaster Funding Programs for Recovery ..................... 39
One Week After Disaster or Declaration .......................................................................... 42
One Month After Disaster or Declaration ........................................................................ 45
Three Months After Disaster or Declaration .................................................................... 50
Six Months After Disaster or Declaration ........................................................................ 52
One Year After Disaster or Declaration ............................................................................ 55
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Appendix C: Additional Federal Disaster Assistance Resources and Programs ............................. 58
Coastal Concerns ............................................................................................................. 58
Conservation Concerns.................................................................................................... 59
Dam and Levee Concerns ............................................................................................... 60
Drought Concerns ............................................................................................................ 60
Earthquake Concerns ...................................................................................................... 61
Economic and Community Development Concerns ........................................................ 61
Employment Concerns ..................................................................................................... 62
Energy Efficiency Concerns.............................................................................................. 62
Environment Concerns .................................................................................................... 63
Fire Concerns ................................................................................................................... 63
Flood Concerns ................................................................................................................ 64
General Disaster Assistance, Resources and Tools ........................................................ 65
Historic Preservation Concerns ....................................................................................... 66
Housing Concerns ............................................................................................................ 67
Park Concerns ................................................................................................................. 69
Public Health and Wellbeing Concerns ............................................................................ 69
Rural Land and Agricultural Concerns ............................................................................. 71
Small Business Concerns ................................................................................................ 72
Transportation Concerns ................................................................................................. 72
Veteran Concerns ............................................................................................................ 73
Water and Wastewater Concerns .................................................................................... 74
Watershed Concerns ....................................................................................................... 74
Appendix D: Legal Considerations for Disaster Financial Management ........................................ 76
Federal Primary Regulations and Authorities .................................................................. 76
Additional Regulations and Authorities ........................................................................... 77
Federal Emergency Management Agency 3
1. Introduction
Effective disaster financial management is critical for successful response and recovery. It helps
jurisdictions obtain the resources needed to support their communities, increases the efficiency of
recovery efforts and reduces the likelihood of audits and financial penalties for the jurisdiction. Fiscal and
grant regulations are strict and apply to all jurisdictions, regardless of size, so it is imperative that all
jurisdictions have robust scalable, flexible and adaptable disaster financial management plans and
processes in place pre-disaster for all types of incidents.
Purpose
This document helps jurisdictions (e.g., state, local, tribal and territorial governments) establish and
implement sound disaster financial management practices. It identifies the foundational Skills and
Capabilities (Section 2
) needed for successful disaster financial management and provides an overview of
key Disaster Financial Management Activities (Section 3) that jurisdictions can complete before, during
and after a disaster to support sound disaster financial management. This includes considerations and
practices necessary to track, calculate and justify the costs of an emergency, support local reimbursement
reconciliation, avoid deobligation of grant funding and effectively fund and implement recovery projects
and priorities. Jurisdictions are encouraged to use this information as a starting point to establish sound
disaster financial management practices and prepare to identify, obtain and implement disaster funding
resources when disaster strikes.
This guide also provides an Introduction to Financial Assistance Programs (Appendix A), as well as key
information about the most commonly applicable Federal Disaster Funding Programs for Recovery
(Appendix B) and Additional Federal Disaster Assistance Resources and Programs (Appendix C) that
may benefit jurisdictions’ recovery efforts. Jurisdictions are encouraged to familiarize themselves with
available programs to streamline the disaster funding process before a disaster occurs.
Throughout this guide, four types of callout boxes identify key information:
Examples
Noteworthy Ideas
Questions to Consider
Additional Resources
Federal Emergency Management Agency 4
Background
Each day, jurisdictions respond to various situations using their dedicated, and often limited, emergency
management resources and budget. When a large-scale incident or disaster occurs, governments incur
significant costs while also facing a potential reduction in revenue. This scenario often results in
overspending or reallocating funding across agencies or programs. These financial challenges affect a
jurisdiction’s ability to operate and may ultimately inhibit its efforts to rebuild and recover. Studies and
data have shown that disaster costs will increase due to the increased risks from natural hazards,
deteriorating critical infrastructure and economic pressures that limit investments in risk resilience.
Unfortunately, comparable increases in state and local budgets to deal with the consequences of disasters
are not realistic.
Although many government and private sector/nonprofit resources and programs are available to help
jurisdictions respond and recover, navigating the various eligibility requirements and application
processes—many of which change frequently—poses administrative challenges. Disaster funding or cost
reimbursements are often delayed or not approved because of incomplete paperwork, missed steps in the
process or a lack of understanding of the eligibility criteria. Furthermore, audits are routinely performed
by authorizing agencies to identify any problems with recipient financial management and program
operations, and such audits become costly if a jurisdiction has not properly followed all program
requirements. These issues have the potential to upend key priorities during a jurisdiction’s cost
reimbursement and long-term recovery and may result in a re-prioritization of the jurisdiction’s budget for
several years to pay back ineligible expenses. One misstep has the potential to impact the entire recovery
process.
Disasters happen. Jurisdictions that develop and coordinate disaster financial management practices pre-
disaster can better manage a disaster, expedite response cost and prepare for long-term recovery actions.
These practices include knowing where and how to access financial resources and technical support, as
well as having mechanisms in place to meet the varying requirements. Emergency and recovery managers
who effectively identify and manage multiple streams of disaster funding provide the most resilient
financial support to their communities.
Supporting Recovery Outcomes
Outcome-driven recovery is a problem-solving approach that promotes unity of effort among stakeholders
to identify recovery needs, vision and goals and to resource comprehensive recovery solutions. It is
executed at the lowest level possible. Jurisdictions should use recovery outcomes to inform all of their
pre-disaster planning and preparedness actions.
Focusing on recovery outcomes helps jurisdictions identify their recovery needs and use those
needs to drive recovery operations and funding, rather than letting the rules or eligibility criteria
of a disaster recovery funding program drive the focus of recovery efforts.
Clearly establishing and communicating needs and gaps improves a jurisdiction’s ability to apply
for and receive funding, rather than seeking funding first and identifying a need after.
Jurisdictions should keep their recovery outcomes and goals in mind as they work through disaster
financial management planning and preparation for response and recovery.
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The Need for Accurate Disaster Financial Management
The following notional scenario shows the central role of disaster financial management before, during
and after a disaster.
A typical small town with a $1.5 million annual budget sustained high floodwaters following record rains.
Most of the affordable housing in the town suffered major damage. Forty percent of the town’s bridges
experienced severe damage. The wastewater treatment plant and adjacent public works building also
suffered extensive water damage. Estimates for infrastructure damage totaled $40 million. In addition,
the flood created an extensive debris challenge, both on public rights of way and on private property.
Some businesses on Main Street suffered flood damage, while others lost significant revenue due to the
extended closure of the state highway leading into town.
The town prided itself on having a small, high-performing emergency management team composed of
staff from several key agencies. The finance department included a director, an accountant and a
contract attorney who handled procurement as needed. Prior to the disaster, the town’s emergency
manager received disaster finance training and worked with the town manager to update some finance
policies to account for disasters.
Recovery from the flood required the town to leverage a portfolio of available resources and partners,
including $30 million in project funding from multiple Federal agencies. Despite the town’s efforts to
comply with local, state and federal procurement rules, an initial Department of Homeland Security
(DHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) audit indicated that the town did not follow the proper
procurement process for its debris management activities.
Prior to the flood, the town procured a contractor through a competitive process to provide ongoing
services, including snow removal and limited debris removal during locally declared emergency events.
In its urgency to move forward with debris management, the town amended the pre-existing contract to
include longer-term debris management activities that exceeded the original contract scope of work.
Some of the initial emergency work was determined to be eligible; however, its longer-term debris
management operation required a fully open and competitive procurement process, including taking all
steps to reach out to disadvantaged businesses. Based on the finding, the OIG recommended that the
town pay back more than $2 million in Federal funding, an amount that exceeded its annual budget.
This guide will help jurisdictions avoid these types of disaster financial management issues and
effectively and efficiently implement recovery funding.
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2. Skills and Capabilities
Successful disaster financial management requires multiple areas of knowledge and capability. This
section:
Identifies the benefit of forming a disaster financial management team
Provides an overview of the skills needed on that team to enable a jurisdiction to effectively
manage disaster funding and reduce the likelihood of audits and financial penalties
Highlights the importance of project and portfolio management skills, procurement and
contracting knowledge, and subrecipient management and monitoring.
Disaster Financial Management Team
Composition
The complexity of managing funds from various programs requires a breadth of subject matter expertise.
A best practice is to establish a multidisciplinary team of planning, grants management and financial
management subject matter experts to develop a disaster financial management plan before an incident
occurs and help execute it following a disaster. Forming such a team is a critical step post-disaster, even if
the jurisdiction did not take this approach pre-disaster.
A disaster financial management team assists with budget forecasting, cash flow management, debt
monitoring, payroll, risk avoidance, disaster assessment and expense reimbursement pertaining to
damage, emergency protective measures, debris management, timely tracking and reporting of costs and
long-term disaster recovery funding streams.
1
Due to the expertise needed, critical members of the team
often include:
Emergency managers to coordinate the preparedness actions and disaster operations for the
jurisdiction.
Recovery managers to organize, coordinate, and advance recovery preparations and operations
for the jurisdiction.
Finance managers to oversee the cash flow, financial accounting, records management, and
audits for the jurisdiction.
Grants managers and legal counsel to help navigate legal and programmatic requirements of
various funding programs. Expertise with annual programs similar to disaster recovery funding
programs is also valuable.
1
Resource Typing Definition for Disaster Cost Recovery Management Team: Disaster Cost Recovery Management Team.
FEMA, September 2016.
https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1494690065957-
6156da80b6672647a8c63f3a4fddae72/NIMS_508_10_DisasterCostRecoveryManagementTeam_20160918_CLEAN.pdf.
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Although not formally part of the disaster financial management team, critical stakeholders include
elected officials and senior leaders. They must ensure their jurisdictions are operationally and fiscally
prepared to respond to any type of disaster. This often includes establishing reserve funding accounts,
pre-event contract mechanisms and response operation authorities. Consider engaging them as informal
members of the team.
Jurisdictions may establish Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) for the team’s roles and
responsibilities and to coordinate with various managers responsible for response and recovery actions.
Some jurisdictions may not have all the necessary expertise in-house, but they can leverage mutual aid
agreements or contracts for subject matter experts who can serve on the team. Smaller jurisdictions can
request assistance from their relevant council of government, planning council, or other regional support
networks.
Funding a Recovery Manager
Local governments are expected to manage their own recovery after a disaster even if they do not have
the expertise, staff or resources to do so. The newness and volume of paperwork and decisions can
overwhelm senior or elected officials, particularly those serving in a part-time or volunteer capacity. A
recovery manager can help the jurisdiction handle the diversity and volume.
2
Jurisdictions can take multiple approaches to fill recovery manager positions
3
—for example:
Pre-Disaster
Look for Employees who do work similar to a recovery manager, such as in public works, and
reallocate those employees to new recovery manager duties.
Combine Administrative Line Items of several grants and hire a single recovery manager to manage
all the grants as well as other recovery manager duties.
Leverage Emergency Preparedness Grant Funding to fund a recovery manager to accomplish
recovery planning and resilience building tasks.
Solicit Volunteers from the community (such as a retired city manager, community planner, or
county executive) to perform recovery manager duties and functions in a nonpaid status based on
the jurisdiction’s law.
Post-Disaster
Use State Funding to hire a recovery manager.
Reallocate Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) or other flexible state funding to fund a
recovery manager.
Allocate a Portion of Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding
for a recovery manager. NOTE: This must be included when the state submits its action plan to the
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
2
For additional information on the roles and responsibilities of a local disaster recovery manager, visit
https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1509392258501-
b32631783b9f93ad3387f7876f3941d6/LDRMGuidanceforlocalgovernment.pdf.
3
The examples shown are situationally dependent and may require waivers, supplemental or reallocation of non-expended
Federal funds.
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Use Economic Development Administration (EDA) Funding to fund some recovery manager duties.
Historically, EDA grants can fund disaster economic recovery duties, to include specific cross-cutting
support areas such as natural resources, infrastructure and housing.
Use Social Service Block Grant Program Funding. It is often combined with EDA grant funding to
fund a recovery manager position (community and economic developer) to oversee implementation
of projects funded by the two agencies.
Approach Local and Regional Foundations. Leverage foundational support to provide the local cost-
share portion for a local recovery manager.
Project and Portfolio Management
Effective disaster financial management requires strong project and portfolio management skills. The
jurisdiction should define and execute the steps necessary to meet its recovery vision and goals, while
balancing competing demands of scope, time, cost, quality, resources and risks.
From a disaster financial management perspective, project management entails accurately managing the
complex disaster budget to ensure all bills are paid; releasing funding according to schedule; tracking and
reporting expenditures to inform the project sponsor on the use of finances; performing financial analysis;
and maintaining accurate financial records and documents in preparation for audits. Figure 1 relates the
Project Management Institute’s five project management process groups—Initiate, Plan, Execute,
Monitor and Control and Close—to disaster financial management.
4
5
Example activities that support
each of these process groups are in Section 3, Disaster Financial Management Activities.
4
FEMA does not endorse any nongovernment entities, organizations or services.
5
https://www.pmi.org/about/learn-about-pmi/what-is-project-management.
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FIGURE 1: PROJECT MANAGEMENT APPLIED TO DISASTER FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
In addition to project management skills, portfolio management is required. A portfolio is a group of
related or nonrelated projects or programs, and recovery efforts involve many projects across different
functions (e.g., housing, infrastructure, economic recovery). In portfolio management, a centralized
manager or management function identifies, prioritizes and authorizes the projects or programs to achieve
strategic objectives.
6
In the context of disaster financial management, portfolio management is critical for
a jurisdiction to achieve its recovery vision and goals and manage its funding from various programs.
Achieving Disaster Recovery Goals through Portfolio Management
Following a disaster, jurisdictions should refine the recovery vision and goals identified in their
pre-disaster recovery plan, or define them if they do not already exist, and use them to drive their
operations and priorities. Achieving these goals requires resources from many programs managed by
6
Portfolio Management. Project Management Institute. https://www.pmi.org/learning/featured-topics/portfolio.
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various departments and agencies, each with different activating mechanisms, cost-sharing
requirements, eligibility requirements, timelines and reporting requirements. Sound portfolio
management skills are necessary to ensure the best use of funds and to avoid audit findings.
Jurisdictions can leverage the following examples of goals from recent disasters and programs to
support their own goals.
7
Infrastructure Systems:
Sample Recovery Goal: Replenish beaches and restore natural dune heights to reduce flooding risks in
coastal developments and maintain healthy, sustainable and functional coastal environments.
Potential Resources:
Beach Erosion Control Projects, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
Coastal Resilience Grants Program, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Coastal and Waterfront Smart Growth, NOAA
Digital Coast, NOAA
National Coastal Zone Management Program, NOAA
Public Assistance, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Housing:
Sample Recovery Goal: Meet the affordable housing needs of displaced farm labor households and
provide additional housing units.
Potential Resources:
Community Development Block Grants – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) (HUD)
Farm Labor Housing Loans and Grants, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Home Repair Loan and Grant Program, USDA
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), FEMA
Rural Community Development Initiative Grants, USDA
Rural Rental Assistance Program, USDA
Health and Social Services:
Sample Recovery Goal: Enhance recovery for children and youth through key community services,
activities and facilities: childcare, foster care, youth groups, behavioral health services, and schools.
Potential Resources:
Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program, USDA
Community Services Block Grant, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children with Serious Emotional
Disturbances, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Disaster Purchasing, General Services Administration (GSA)
Individual Assistance, FEMA
8
9
To effectively identify, apply for and manage the portfolio of programs needed after a disaster,
jurisdictions need to understand the variety of disaster assistance programs available, their scope and how
they work together to address recovery needs. Jurisdictions also need to establish mechanisms to
effectively integrate these programs, as well as any insurance cost recovery, into a comprehensive
7
Refer to Appendix B and Appendix C for lists of examples of Federal programs.
8
Access FEMA Individual Assistance Program Tools at https://www.fema.gov/individual-assistance-program-tools.
9
Individuals that previously received FEMA assistance due to a flood must have flood insurance to be eligible for Individual
Disaster Assistance.
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solution. Integration will help jurisdictions effectively coordinate multiple funding sources on the same
project and the relevant tools that support the effort.
Managing Concurrent Disaster Assistance Financial Resources
A catastrophic flood, like the scenario in the introduction, requires assistance from various agencies and
programs to cover a jurisdiction’s needs. For example:
FEMA Public Assistance funding may be available for debris management and repairs to damaged
roads and bridges, public facilities, critical infrastructure and parks.
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Emergency Watershed Protection Program
may help stabilize eroding stream banks and prevent further impacts to life and property.
FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program may support priority projects to protect the community
from future floods.
HUD CDBG-DR funds may provide additional resources to repair damaged homes, develop
replacement housing, support impacted local businesses and supplement gaps in needed
infrastructure funding.
FEMA Individual Assistance may be provided directly to individuals and households with disaster-
related needs or may be provided to jurisdictions to support individual survivors.
Different agencies or offices manage these programs, and they have different rules and timelines. Many
of the programs listed in Appendix B and Appendix C can be concurrently implemented, but jurisdictions
need successful disaster financial and portfolio management to realize the maximum benefit and avoid
ineligible expenses.
Knowledge of Procurement and
Contracting Practices
Successfully navigating procurement and contract requirements is one of the most challenging aspects of
disaster recovery. In many cases, jurisdictions will not know if a disaster meets thresholds for state or
Federal assistance until recovery is well underway. Improper procurement activities can have an
enormous impact on a jurisdiction’s ability to receive reimbursement.
Jurisdictions must follow Federal procurement under grant and subawarding regulations, specifically
2 CFR Part 200.300-.332, as well as all applicable local, state, tribal and territorial requirements, on all
disasters.
10
Federal rules are specific, and jurisdictions should pay close attention to procurement
practices pre-disaster to be positioned for post-disaster procurement activities.
11
A best practice is to
identify the most restrictive rule (which could be Federal or at the state, local or tribal level). Following
the most restrictive rule can help ensure compliance with the less restrictive ones. In addition, including
10
The FEMA Procurement Disaster Assistance Team’s Field Manual describes and exemplifies the mandatory requirements for
Public Assistance applicants that are using Federal funding to procure property and services. For more information, visit
https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1570129404293-8d938ec9c10063348edca477a7b24bbd/PDATManualUpdate_10-
03-19.pdf.
11
Local Government Guide to Recovery. Colorado Recovery and Resiliency Collaborative. April 2017.
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personnel with knowledge of procurement, contracting and subawarding practices on the disaster
financial management team is crucial.
Importance of Following Procurement Regulations
Each year, DHS OIG audit reports identify significant procurement-related issues representing millions of
dollars of Federal funds. For example:
From fiscal year 2015 until June 2017, the DHS OIG questioned over $256 million in ineligible
contract costs from FEMA funding programs for issues such as ineligible work, incorrect estimated
and calculated project costs, poor contracting practices and better usage of funds.
In January 2017, the OIG recommended that FEMA disallow more than $31.7 million awarded to a
subrecipient who failed to follow the Federal procurement requirements.
Source: Lessons Learned from Prior Reports on Disaster-related Procurement and Contracting (OIG-18-
29), DHS OIG, December 5, 2017
Subrecipient Management
In most cases, subrecipients are required to follow the same restrictive grant guidance as the passthrough
entity.
12
Subrecipients who are not prepared to manage large sums of money can put their subawards at a
higher risk for excessive and ineligible costs. A recurring theme found in audits is that grant recipients
often do not effectively manage subrecipients to ensure grant fund expenditures comply with Federal
requirements.
13
Subrecipient Management Tips
Perform subrecipient and contractor determinations
Verify and validate subrecipient accounting compliance
Issue 2 CFR Part 200.331-compliant subaward documents
Perform subrecipient risk assessments
Title 2, Part 200, of the Code of Federal Regulations (2 CFR Part
200): Procurement Standards
Also known as the “Super Circular,” 2 CFR Part 200 codifies the regulatory standards and practices for
managing Federal grant funds. Jurisdictions should incorporate the Super Circular’s procurement
12
Sometimes the subrecipient does not have to follow the same requirements as a recipient, especially if the recipient is a state
and the subrecipient is a local government.
13
2 CFR Part 200 does not distinguish between contractor and subcontractors, but a contractual relationship difference exists
between contractor and subcontractor. A procurement best practice is for the organization that issues the contract to retain
oversight, control, transparency and approval for any subcontractor.
Federal Emergency Management Agency 13
standards
14
into local policies and procedures prior to any disaster. Procurements and contracting
requirements must be followed for grant management compliance.
Important procurement and contracting regulations from 2 CFR Part 200 include
15
:
Maintain records to sufficiently detail the history of the procurement. These records include, but
are not necessarily limited to, the rationale for the method of procurement, selection of contract
type, contractor selection or rejection, basis for the contract price, the contract document and any
contract modifications with signatures of all parties.
Transact all procurements in a manner providing full and open competition.
16
Perform a cost or price analysis in connection with every procurement action in excess of the
Simplified Acquisition Threshold.
17
Use time-and-materials-type contracts only after determining that no other contract is suitable and
if the contract includes a ceiling price that the contractor exceeds at its own risk. These may only
be used for a limited time, and the subrecipient must switch to a more suitable contract type once
the scope is defined.
Take the affirmative steps regarding the solicitation from and use of small and minority
businesses, women’s business enterprises and labor surplus area firms.
Maintain oversight to ensure contractors perform according to the terms, conditions and
specifications of their contracts or purchase orders.
Maintain written standards of conduct covering conflicts of interest and governing the
performance of employees who select, award and administer contracts.
Give subrecipients adequate guidance and grant management instructions.
Jurisdictions that have a portfolio of funding resources must pay close attention to each source program’s
procurement rules and requirements, as they may differ.
14
2 CFR Part 200.317-.326.
15
States and nonstate entities have different rules. States are required to follow 2 CFR 300.317 (including 2 CFR 200.322 and
200.326) and nonstate entities are required to follow 2 CFR Part 200.318-.326.
16
Limited exceptions to this rule exist. Per 2 CFR § 200.320(f), Procurement by noncompetitive proposals, noncompetitive
procurement solicits a proposal from only one source and may be used only when one or more of the following circumstances
apply: (1) The item is available only from a single source; (2) The public exigency or emergency for the requirement will not
permit a delay resulting from competitive solicitation; (3) The Federal awarding agency or passthrough entity expressly
authorizes noncompetitive proposals in response to a written request from the non-Federal entity; or (4) After solicitation of a
number of sources, competition is inadequate.
17
2 CFR § 200.88.
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Importance of Fair and Open Contracting Practices
Without full and open competition, the risk of favoritism, collusion, fraud, waste and abuse increases.
Following a recent disaster, a grant subrecipient did not openly compete a contract totaling $4.1 million
to replace/repair pump stations and electrical components. Instead, the subrecipient used a contractor
with which it had an existing business relationship before the disaster. In addition, the subrecipient
accepted the contractor’s proposed prices without performing an independent analysis of the prices to
ensure reasonableness. Finally, the subrecipient did not take the required steps to assure the use of
small businesses, minority-owned firms, women’s business enterprises and labor surplus area firms
when possible. Therefore, the DHS OIG questioned $4.1 million because the procurement did not
comply with Federal requirements.
Source: Audit Tips for Managing Disaster-Related Project Costs (OIG-15-100-D), DHS OIG, June 8, 2015
Skills and Capability Resources
Community Recovery and Continuity of Government:
The Community Recovery Management Toolkit (CRMT) provides guidance, case studies, tools and
training to help local communities manage long-term recovery after a disaster.
The Continuity Resource Toolkit provides tools, templates and resources to help a jurisdiction
implement the concepts of continuity of operations and continuity of government.
Grants Management:
FEMA’s New Recipients of Disaster Grants Guide provides guidance to state, territorial and tribal
governments on components of Public Assistance, Individual Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Grant
Programs and the required actions to request, initiate and receive funding.
FEMA’s Preparedness Grants Manual helps applicants and recipients of FEMA Preparedness Grants,
including the Homeland Security Grant Program, manage their grants.
Project and Portfolio Management:
The Project Management Institute provides tools, templates and publications related to project
management skills, processes and standards.
Procurement Management:
FEMA’s Procurement Disaster Assistance Team (PDAT) helps familiarize FEMA personnel and
nonprofit, state, local, tribal, territorial, regional and national emergency management personnel with
the Federal procurement under grant standards.
FEMA’s PDAT Field Manual lists, describes and exemplifies mandatory requirements for Public
Assistance applicants using Federal funding to procure property and services.
FEMA’s Contract Provisions Template outlines federally required contract provisions in addition to
FEMA-recommended provisions.
Top 10 Procurement under Grants Mistakes Leading to Audits and Potential Loss of FEMA Public
Assistance Funding lists the 10 most common procurement mistakes that could lead to audits and
potential losses.
The detailed Checklist for Reviewing Procurements under Grants by Non-Federal Entities – 2 CFR
Part 200 helps recipients and subrecipients comply with Federal procurement under grant
requirements.
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The Federal Demonstration Partnership (FDP) is an association between Federal agencies, academic
research institutions and other relevant organizations that maintains subaward forms, templates and
guidance compliant with 2 CFR Part 200.
The Association for Procurement and Technical Assistance Centers (APTAC) is the national
organization for procurement professionals working to help local businesses successfully compete in
the government marketplace.
The National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) provides state procurement officials
with procurement best practices, education, professional development and research.
The Institute for Public Procurement (NIGP) provides public procurement professionals with
educational and research programs, professional support and technical services.
The Government Finance Officers Association assists state and local government financial managers
by providing best practices, guidance, publications and training opportunities on disaster
management and business preparedness and continuity.
Other Resources:
The American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) provides standards and advances excellence
in public administration through continuous education and publications.
Questions to Consider
Do you know the top 10 procurement mistakes that FEMA finds? Do you have processes to avoid
them?
What are your jurisdiction’s existing financial management practices? What adjustments, if any, are
needed to comply with procurement requirements?
Who would be on your jurisdiction’s disaster financial management team?
Has your jurisdiction participated in any community or individual financial management trainings?
Can your staff and departments access just-in-time training to refresh critical skills?
If applicable, do you have subrecipient monitoring in place?
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3. Disaster Financial
Management Activities
Jurisdictions can complete several activities before, during and after a disaster to support sound disaster
financial management. This section identifies specific activities a jurisdiction can complete prior to and
following a disaster to more effectively obtain and manage disaster cost reimbursement and recovery
funding.
These lists are not all-inclusive; they provide a starting point of common activities to help jurisdictions
streamline the funding process and mitigate the potential for rejected reimbursements and audit penalties.
Jurisdictions should tailor these activities to their needs.
This document groups disaster financial management activities into three categories:
Pre-Disaster Activities
Initial Post-Disaster Activities
Longer-Term Post-Disaster Activities.
NOTE: These terms relate specifically to disaster financial management and do not have the same
meaning or duration as the terms found in the National Disaster Recovery Framework. In addition, these
time periods are not rigid and may blend into one another.
Figure 2 summarizes the high-level activities for each category, and each activity is described in greater
detail on the following pages.
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FIGURE 2: EXAMPLE OF LOCAL DISASTER FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES BY PHASE (MORE INFORMATION FOLLOWS)
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Pre-Disaster Activities
Before an incident is the time to conduct research, coordinate among stakeholders, identify resources,
determine decisions and triggers and develop courses of action and a recovery plan to most effectively
achieve initial recovery goals and recoup disaster costs. After an incident, it’s often too late to begin
identifying and establishing necessary disaster financial management processes. Jurisdictions that
establish financial practices and procedures pre-disaster can mitigate funding delays or denials and avoid
missing opportunities.
Consider completing the following activities pre-disaster. They are grouped into two categories: research
and collaboration activities and activities associated with establishing appropriate accounting systems and
management processes.
OIG Assistance
Since 2012, the DHS OIG has placed greater emphasis on prevention and early detection. OIG audits
ensure compliance with Federal requirements and identify areas where grant recipients may need
additional technical assistance or monitoring.
To build awareness of program rules, regulations and common audit findings in advance of an audit, OIG
personnel may be available to meet with grant recipients and subrecipients at the onset of program
management activities. Proactively meeting with the OIG may enhance program management systems
and activities and reduce findings in the future.
Research and Collaboration
Review and codify emergency fiscal
18
policies and procedures in ordinances. All local
jurisdictions should codify the authorities that are assigned and permissible within the
jurisdiction. Federal, state and private granting or funding agencies will not grant, loan or
distribute funds to an organization without these policies and procedures. Pre-disaster is the best
time to validate the appropriate resources.
Organize for disaster cost reimbursement and recovery funding operations. Establishing
relationships and documenting financial management roles and responsibilities during steady-
state can mitigate confusion in the aftermath of a disaster. Forming a disaster financial
management team is a best practice. Jurisdictions should also complete documentation and
training for all recovery support function roles and responsibilities. National resource typing
definitions, position qualifications and Position Task Books (PTBs) assist with this effort.
Resource Typing Library Tool
18
The term “fiscal” has implications around policy, procedures, revenues, tax or government revenue.
Federal Emergency Management Agency 19
Coordinate for Environmental and Historic Preservation (EHP) expertise. Many disaster
recovery funding programs require jurisdictions to complete highly technical EHP reviews,
assessments and planning considerations before applying for grants. By pre-establishing mutual
aid or contracts to acquire this expertise, jurisdictions can mitigate the risks of rejected
applications or assessments for noncompliance. In addition, jurisdictions may be able to leverage
a single environmental review process for multiple Federal disaster recovery funding programs.
Unified review practices can improve long-term disaster financial management and reduce
project execution time.
En
Complete and maintain a FEMA-approved Hazard Mitigation Plan. This plan identifies
priority projects and actions to mitigate disaster impacts and is required to be eligible for FEMA’s
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and for permanent work under FEMA’s Public
Assistance Program (Categories C–G) after a federally declared disaster.
FEMA Hazard Mitigation Planning Website
Disaster Financial Accounting Systems and Management
Processes
Use grant management practices that comply with 2 CFR Part 200. This guidance governs
Federal grant funds. Without a grant management system in place, funders will generally neither
fund nor reimburse disaster costs.
2 CFR Part 200
Establish appropriate accounting principles. If applicable, maintain accounting standards and
practices that comply with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), the
Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) or the Financial Accounting Standards
Board (FASB) to ensure compliant practices for fiscal and accounting management. Funding
agencies will not fund a jurisdiction without established acceptable accounting standards. These
standards require a yearly audit to document the jurisdiction’s accounting.
GASB Website
Establish and document financial management policies, procedures and account lines.
Documenting policies and procedures pre-disaster and making sure all relevant personnel are
familiar with them will significantly streamline financial management actions post-disaster.
Additionally, financial policies and procedures for non-disaster projects should have the same
requirements as disaster response and recovery projects to help the transition between pre- and
post-disaster. Jurisdictions may consider creating response general ledger line items to account
for response costs. Also consider developing a disaster financial management toolkit with
relevant policies, procedures, forms and tools, readily available and easily accessible by those
Federal Emergency Management Agency 20
who need them. FEMA’s Procurement Disaster Assistance Team (PDAT) provides procurement-
specific training to its grant recipients and offers procurement-related resources, such as a
contracting checklist.
PDAT Website
Implement emergency contracting mechanisms and contracts. Pre-existing and pre-qualified
contracts with vendors for goods and services expedite response and recovery. Pre-existing
contracts also ease the cost reimbursement process by ensuring Federal compliance prior to
performance execution. It is essential to follow the jurisdiction’s procurement policies and the
procurement regulations in 2 CFR §§ 200.317-.326 when establishing pre-existing contracts, as
well as when executing them during an event. Pre-existing contracts must follow the Federal
procurement rules at 2 CFR §§ 200.317-.326 and applicable local, tribal and state requirements.
Even properly procured pre-event contracts must adhere to all applicable performance, pricing
and process standards. Contracts implemented through grants must adhere to the standards
required by the grants.
Procurement Standards (2 CFR §§ 200.317–.326)
Research the best schedule purchasing source. Jurisdictions are encouraged to research
compliant non-Federal cooperative purchasing ventures and GSA for the best options to quickly
procure goods and services after a disaster. Jurisdictions enrolled in the GSA purchasing program
can quickly procure or purchase federally approved goods and services, which helps ensure that
pricing and terms are eligible for Federal disaster declaration reimbursements. As a condition of
receiving financial assistance under the Public Assistance program, applicants must follow the
Federal procurement under grant rules found at 2 C.F.R. Part 200.317–.326 when procuring
goods or services through the GSA purchasing program.
GSA Advantage!® Disaster Relief
PDAT: Purchasing Goods or Services through GSA Disaster
Public Assistance: Purchasing Goods & Services through Cooperative Purchasing Programs
Create an annual reserve disaster spending fund account. A reserve fund helps enable rapid
response and recovery. Jurisdictions should estimate, to the best of their abilities, the fiscal
impacts of threats, risks and hazards to help identify the monetary amount needed in a reserve
fund.
Identify potential disaster assistance programs. A wealth of programs are available, and
becoming familiar with the scope, eligibility, timelines and implementation requirements for the
most applicable ones will help mitigate confusion in the aftermath of an incident. For example,
Federal Emergency Management Agency 21
jurisdictions along the coastline should research programs that support coastal resilience, housing
and infrastructure; states and jurisdictions with large rural populations should review programs
that can assist with housing for farmers and food and agriculture support. As a best practice,
jurisdictions should catalog the disaster assistance programs and resources most applicable to
them, as well as the criteria and information for accessing them.
Appendix B lists Federal disaster assistance programs organized by timeframe.
Appendix C lists Federal disaster assistance programs organized by area of concern.
Individual Financial Preparedness
Local officials and emergency managers should promote effective financial preparedness principles at
all levels—including individuals, families and businesses. The devasting impact of disaster regularly
underscores the importance of individual and family preparedness. Americans should act in traditional
ways, like knowing their evacuation routes, as well as new ones, like building up a disaster savings
account and reviewing insurance policies annually. Emergency managers and local leaders can develop
financial preparedness messaging on budgeting, savings and appropriate insurance coverage to build
individual resilience within their communities.
A recent study conducted by the Federal Reserve found that 40 percent of Americans do not have
enough money to cover a $400 emergency expense. FEMA’s 2018 National Household Survey also
revealed that about 30 percent of individuals do not have money set aside for an emergency. Having
cash on hand and developing a rainy-day fund can expedite the individual recovery process and provide
peace of mind. Reviewing insurance policies before a disaster and purchasing specialized insurance
(e.g., flood, earthquake, tsunami) are also important preparedness activities.
Resources, such as the Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK) and American Red Cross Disaster and
Financial Planning Guide, and sample financial preparedness messaging are available at Ready.gov.
Questions to Consider
Do you have a rainy-day fund or other reserves that you can access?
Does your jurisdiction have an established accounting system to track expenses and bidding?
Does your jurisdiction have policies in place for disaster pay plans?
Does your jurisdiction have mutual aid agreements in place?
Do you have in-house capacity to manage disaster finances or do you need support from outside
entities?
Are your jurisdiction’s contracts current for debris collection, monitoring and consultation?
Do your jurisdiction’s financial practices and procedures for non-disaster projects follow the same
practices and procedures required for disaster-related projects?
Do your jurisdiction’s pre-existing contracts comply with the Federal procurement standards?
Federal Emergency Management Agency 22
Initial Post-Disaster Activities
Initial cost recovery starts concurrently with response operations and typically ends within weeks of an
incident. For some disasters, like a hurricane, expenses can start to accumulate before the disaster strikes.
It is important that the jurisdiction track everything before and during a disaster.
Proper organization and documentation from the start helps prevent denials, appeals and delays of
funding. A jurisdiction that uses processes and a database or accounting tools to log and track disaster
response and recovery costs can rapidly provide the necessary documentation to obtain reimbursement.
Jurisdictions without a centralized repository for expenses will waste valuable time trying to assemble
documentation. Accuracy in documentation is also critical to avoid errors and audit findings. For
example, using an ambulance during a disaster for a medical emergency requires a different billing code
than transporting a medically fragile individual. Such a seemingly small error can result in months of
reimbursement challenges.
Recovery managers are often appointed during initial post-disaster activities. Many recipients and
subrecipients are the managers who are legally responsible for response and recovery actions, to include
public infrastructure. Some of the activities that disaster financial management teams initiate in the initial
days and weeks of recovery are below:
Review pre-disaster recovery plans and identify recovery vision, goals and objectives.
19
A
jurisdiction’s pre-disaster recovery plan should identify key roles and responsibilities, systems
and processes, as well as a tentative vision and goals. However, when disaster strikes, the
real-time situation often differs from the pre-disaster plan. As such, a jurisdiction should review
the pre-disaster plan in the context of the specific disaster, tailor the plan to address the recovery
needs, and identify a disaster-specific recovery vision and goals.
Pre-Disaster Recovery Planning Guide for Local Governments
Pre-Disaster Recovery Planning Guide for State Governments
Pre-Disaster Recovery Planning Guide for Tribal Governments
Issue a local declaration of disaster using the existing declaration processes. Using the
jurisdiction’s pre-existing disaster declaration process activates the emergency powers and
authorities needed for local response actions and fiscal expenditures. Any disaster cost
reimbursements will require this declaration.
19
Visit FEMA’s Community Planning and Capacity Building webpage for more information and resources to assist with
developing a pre-disaster recovery plan. https://www.fema.gov/community-planning-and-capacity-building
.
Federal Emergency Management Agency 23
Conduct a preliminary damage assessment (PDA). The preliminary damage assessment
process is vital to establish disaster cost impacts. Jurisdictions validate and develop cost recovery
actions based on these estimations of damages and cost impacts.
Damage Assessment Operations Manual
Activate and use disaster accounting general ledger lines. Ledger line items allow jurisdictions
to track costs precisely, report them to agencies for reimbursement and conduct detailed reporting
and analysis.
Financial Accounting Standards Board Website
Log and track time and expenses. Disaster cost reimbursement requires accurate and detailed
records of the time and costs associated with response actions. Initiating a disaster accounting
general ledger is one way to track time and cost associated with a disaster. Reimbursement for
associated costs incurred for actions taken during a response or recovery requires precise and
acceptable documentation.
Financial Accounting Standards Board Website
Finance/Administration Section Chief Position Task Book
Activate emergency procurements and contracts as needed. Pre-existing contracts
tremendously expedite response operations and can save the jurisdiction money, as terms and
costs of response functions are also pre-determined. Pre-existing contracts still have to follow the
Federal procurement rules at 2 CFR §§ 200.317-.326 and all applicable state, local, tribal or
territorial requirements. Emergency procurements and contracts simply expedite the process to
procure fast contract performance. Emergency contracts must comply with all procurement under
grant regulations.
Document all expenditures related to response and disaster impacts. Jurisdictions should use
the general ledger line items to document every expenditure related to response and recovery. The
jurisdiction must justify each expenditure and directly relate it to the incident response, as well as
differentiating response costs from concurrent general operational costs.
Damage Assessment Operations Manual
Document all equipment and materials used during response activities. Any reimbursements
will require accurate documentation.
Document all damages and cost impacts. Any fiscal reimbursement requires documentation of
all damages and cost impacts. The documentation will include cost and expense reports, as well
as established damage cost estimation processes.
Federal Emergency Management Agency 24
Damage Assessment Operations Manual
Compile cost and expense data. To achieve certain thresholds for disaster cost reimbursements,
jurisdictions must show proof of cost and impact, which requires compiling and aggregating
fiscal information.
Adjust contracting and procurement thresholds to account for increased emergency
expenditures. As response operations continue and expenses increase, jurisdictions may quickly
reach the local legal fiscal thresholds for operations and fiscal expenses. Jurisdictions should
proactively analyze these ceilings and make necessary adjustments. If the jurisdiction exceeds its
legal authority, the fiscal reimbursements or grant funds may be impacted. Jurisdictions should
consult with the appropriate funding authorities to make sure any changes in procurement or other
policies are consistent with legal requirements. Jurisdictions will need to reassess all emergency
or exigency contracts and transition to a competitive contract once the emergency or exigency
circumstance ends. Additionally, certain aspects of Federal procurement standards and other grant
requirements under 2 CFR Part 200 apply even in emergencies, such as cost reasonableness and
adequate documentation.
Apply Value of Donated Resources
FEMA allows recipients and subrecipients to apply the value of donated resources used during eligible
emergency and permanent work toward the non-Federal cost share of their projects. Recipients and
subrecipients must meet certain conditions to apply the offset to specific work. Refer to the Donated
Resources section of the Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide for more information.
Ohio’s Disaster Cost Tracking Policy
The Ohio Emergency Management Agency (EMA) recognized the need to better track disaster costs
across agencies for a more comprehensive picture of disaster spending across the state. To address this
issue, Ohio implemented a cost tracking policy.
Ohio’s cost tracking policy is tied to activation levels at the state emergency operations center (EOC).
Under their policy, when the EOC reaches partial activation, the Director of the Ohio EMA sends a memo
to the Ohio Office of Budget and Management, which alerts fiscal officers of each state agency involved
in the EOC to begin tracking spending associated with that disaster. These agency officials collect
expenditures on personnel, equipment, state-owned infrastructure damage and grants and loans to
local governments for response and repair costs and send this information to the Ohio EMA. Although
Ohio policy does not prescribe a specific way for agencies to track this spending, it encourages them to
tag or code it in the state’s financial management system.
Ohio’s primary goal is to make tracking as streamlined as possible and a routine part of how state
agencies deal with disasters. It continues to educate agencies on how to implement this policy during a
disaster. The Ohio EMA is creating standard operating procedures for the type of spending fiscal officers
should track and report and reference materials to promote their use. Over time, Ohio hopes to have a
more complete understanding of how much they spend across the state on disasters to inform decisions
and priorities. For more information, visit http://finsource.ohio.gov.
Federal Emergency Management Agency 25
Questions to Consider
Have your priorities shifted since your jurisdiction’s last planning cycle?
Does your team share the same recovery vision and goal?
Have you coordinated with your disaster financial management partners?
20
How can you best follow your business continuity plan?
Do you know what the most restrictive rule
21
is for procurement?
Do you know how the Federal procurement under grant regulations interact with applicable state,
local or tribal policies and procedures?
Do pre-existing contracts comply with the Federal procurement standards?
Longer-Term Post-Disaster Activities
Jurisdictions should continue good practices of disaster financial management throughout response and
recovery. Many critical financial management activities must be completed during the initial recovery
effort, but several activities occur later in the recovery process.
Many disaster funding programs for recovery become available to jurisdictions months after the disaster
has occurred, and more long-term funding programs for recovery can be implemented years into the
recovery process. Localities also see impacts to their tax receipts in the long term.
By incorporating longer-term post-disaster activities into the regular rhythm of disaster financial
management, emergency managers and recovery managers continue to reduce disaster financial
management risk and improve financial practices for potential future disasters. Some activities that
jurisdictions conduct after the initial weeks of recovery operations are below:
Document use of mutual aid and volunteer recovery programs. Jurisdictions must document
and track their mutual aid agreements and the costs associated with those response functions. This
cost becomes a component of the disaster declaration process and analysis. In certain instances,
properly tracked volunteer labor may also be counted as a non-Federal match for certain disaster
funding programs for recovery, such as debris management.
National Incident Management System (NIMS) Guideline for Mutual Aid
20
This includes coordinating with horizontal and vertical partners. For example, states should coordinate with FEMA and other
Federal agencies, as well as with other states (e.g., mutual aid agreements) and affected localities.
21
The term “rule” is a catch-all for what may be found in regulations, policies, authorities or ordinances. Thresholds are only a
small piece of procurement regulations/rules.
Federal Emergency Management Agency 26
Engage Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOADs) in area-specific functions.
VOADs in areas such as housing, infrastructure, sheltering, and mass care can often provide
services in response and recovery operations, saving the jurisdiction large amounts of money.
National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster Website
Donated Resources section of the Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide
Request an emergency or major disaster declaration from the President. This activates
emergency powers/authorities for response actions and fiscal expenditures. Many disaster cost
reimbursements require this declaration.
Disaster Declaration Process Website
Continue documentation processes. Detailed documentation and accounting requirements
should continue throughout response and recovery efforts.
Determine fiscal program eligibility and application processes. Fiscal and damage impact
reports and analyses are the basis for funding eligibilities and grant awards. Jurisdictions must
ensure that the types of disaster costs incurred, such as housing, infrastructure or transportation,
are eligible expenses for the disaster recovery program utilized.
Appendix B lists Federal disaster assistance programs organized by timeframe.
Appendix C lists Federal disaster assistance programs organized by area of concern.
Identify leads for each project for reimbursement. Department leads can oversee each project
being submitted for reimbursement. As appropriate, these leads can respond to discipline-specific
questions from grant providers.
Engage legal counsel for contracts and procurement compliance. After the initial response is
complete and operations are transitioning into recovery, legal counsel will advise and consult on
non-emergent contractual and fiscal functions. The legal review and counsel also help ensure
compliance for future fiscal reimbursements.
Obtain governing body resolution or approval for increased emergency spending authority,
contracting, or access to disaster reserve funds. If applicable, and in consultation with legal
counsel, increasing or adjusting legal authorities may be required to continue operations and
receive disaster grant funds.
Integrate emergency procurement and expense authorization limits. As they transition to
recovery, jurisdictions should reevaluate emergency procurements and contracts thresholds.
Federal Emergency Management Agency 27
Managing positive cash flow. Jurisdictions need to have adequate cash reserves and receivables
available that do not exceed expenses. Additionally, jurisdictions should understand the
movement of fiscal resources for obligation and commitment that can be received and expended
within a short accounting cycle, typically 30 days.
Questions to Consider
How will your community manage jurisdiction cash flow?
Are you in contact with relevant associations and peers for resources and support?
Are you reporting progress regularly to a governing board and the public?
Additional Resources for Disaster Financial Management Activities
Accounting:
The Association of Government Accountants (AGA) maintains training standards and certifications in
governmental accounting standards.
Crisis Management:
The International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Leadership and Professional Local
Government Managers: Before, During and After a Crisis Guide highlights and helps local
government managers understand the common and effective leadership and management skills to
deploy during a crisis.
Internal Controls and Risk Management:
The Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) develops
comprehensive frameworks and guidance on enterprise risk management, internal controls and
fraud deterrence.
Risk Management:
The Chief Financial Officers Council Enterprise Risk Management Playbook provides guidance and
high-level considerations to establish an enterprise risk management program.
Other Resources:
The Government Finance Officers Association assists state and local government financial
managers by providing best practices, guidance, publications and training opportunities on disaster
management and business preparedness and continuity.
The National Association of Counties strengthens counties across the Nation through several
initiatives, including resiliency and disaster management.
The National League of Cities assists the Nation’s cities and their leaders by providing resources on
an array of topics, including public safety and disaster preparedness.
Federal Emergency Management Agency 28
4. Consolidated Resource List
The resources identified in this guide may change to meet new needs and desired outcomes.
American Red Cross Disaster Financial Planning Guide
: Useful tips to prepare individuals for a
disaster, especially financially.
American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) Website: Provides standards and advances
excellence in public administration through education and publications.
Association for Procurement and Technical Assistance Centers (APTAC) Website: Procurement
professionals working to help local businesses successfully compete in the government
marketplace.
Association of Government Accountants (AGA) Website: Maintains training standards and
certifications in governmental accounting standards.
Checklist for Reviewing Procurement under Grants by Non-Federal Entities – 2 CFR Part 200: A
detailed checklist to help recipients and subrecipients comply with Federal procurement
requirements.
Chief Financial Council Enterprise Risk Management Playbook: Guidance and high-level
concepts for establishing an enterprise risk management program.
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) Website
:
Develops comprehensive frameworks and guidance on enterprise risk management, internal
controls and fraud deterrence.
Community Recovery Management Toolkit (CRMT): Guidance, case studies, tools and training
to help local communities manage long-term recovery after a disaster.
Continuity Resource Toolkit: Tools, templates and resources to help a jurisdiction implement the
concepts of continuity of operations and continuity of government.
Damage Assessment Operations Manual: Defines national standards for assessing damage and
the information considered when evaluating requests for a Major Disaster Declaration.
Donated Resources section of the Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide (PAPPG):
Combines all Public Assistance policy into a single volume and provides an overview of the
Public Assistance Program implementation process, with links to other publications and
documents that provide additional process details.
Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK): Guidance for individuals and families on how to
prepare financially for a disaster.
Federal Demonstration Partnership (FDP) Website: Maintains 2 CFR Part 200–compliant
subaward forms, templates and guidance.
FEMA’s Contract Provisions Template: Outlines the federally required contract provisions in
addition to FEMA-recommended provisions.
Federal Emergency Management Agency 29
Finance/Administration Section Chief Position Task Book (PTB): The performance criteria a
trainee must meet to be certified as a Finance/Administration Section Chief in the National
Qualification System (NQS).
Financial Accounting Standards Board Website
: Information, white papers and educational
webcasts/podcasts on the established accounting and financial reporting standards for public and
private companies and not-for-profit organizations that follow GAAPs.
Government Finance Officers Association Website: Provides best practice guidance, publications
and training opportunities to state and local government financial managers on disaster
management and business preparedness and continuity.
Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Website: Information, white papers and
educational webcasts/podcasts on the established accounting and financial reporting standards for
state and local governments that follow GAAPs.
GSA Advantage!® Disaster Relief: Provides Federal, state and local government agencies access
to needed supplies and equipment for disaster relief and emergency preparedness.
Hazard Mitigation Planning Website: Introduces state, local, tribal and territorial officials to
hazard mitigation planning and describes its benefits.
International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Leadership and Professional Local
Government Managers: Before, During and After a Crisis Guide: Helps local government
managers understand the common and effective leadership and management skills that can be
deployed during a crisis.
Institute for Public Procurement (NIGP): Provides public procurement professionals with
educational and research programs, professional support and technical services.
National Association of Counties Website: Strengthens counties across the Nation through
several initiatives, including resiliency and disaster management.
National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) Website: Provides state
procurement officials with best practices, education, professional development and research.
National Incident Management System (NIMS) Guideline for Mutual Aid
: Common practices
and processes for mutual aid planning and creating legal agreements and operational plans to
support mutual aid planning.
The National League of Cities: Assist the Nation’s cities and their leaders by providing resources
on array of topics, including public safety and disaster preparedness.
National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster Website: Provides a list of national VOADs,
as well as state and/or local points of contact.
New Recipients of Disaster Grants Guide 2019: Guidance to state, tribal and territorial
governments on components of public assistance, individual assistance and the Hazard Mitigation
Grant Program and the actions to request, initiate and receive funding.
Office of Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation Website: Tools, templates and
resources to help FEMA, state and local partners and grantees and subgrantees comply with
Federal environmental and historic preservation laws and executive orders.
Federal Emergency Management Agency 30
Pre-Disaster Recovery Planning Guide for Local Governments: Helps local governments prepare
for recovery from future disasters by engaging with the whole community and planning for
recovery activities that are comprehensive and long term.
Pre-Disaster Recovery Planning Guide for State Governments
: Helps states and territories prepare
for recovery by developing pre-disaster recovery plans that engage members of the whole
community; recovery capabilities across state government and nongovernmental partners; and an
organizational framework for comprehensive state recovery efforts.
Pre-Disaster Recovery Planning Guide for Tribal Governments: Helps tribal governments prepare
for recovery efforts from future disasters by engaging with the whole community and planning
for recovery activities that are comprehensive and long term.
Preparedness Grant Manual
: Guidance for applicants and recipients on managing FEMA
Preparedness Grants, including the Homeland Security Grant Program.
Procurement Disaster Assistance Team (PDAT) Field Manual: Procurement information for
FEMA Public Assistance award recipients and subrecipients.
PDAT: Purchasing Goods and Services Through the GSA Disaster: Information on complying
with Federal rules when using the GSA Disaster Purchasing Program.
PDAT Website
: The goals, roles and responsibilities of FEMA’s Procurement Disaster Assistance
Team before a disaster and during an active deployment.
Procurement under Grant Regulations (2 CFR §§ 200.317–.326): The sections on procurement
under grant regulations.
Project Management Institute Website
: Tools, templates and publications related to project
management skills, processes and standards.
Public Assistance: Purchasing Goods or Services Through Cooperative Purchasing Programs:
Information regarding the use of cooperative purchasing programs by non-state applicants for
procurement above the simplified acquisition threshold.
Ready.gov Financial Preparedness Website: Provides a checklist for individual financial
preparedness.
Resource Typing Library Tool: An online catalog of national resource typing definitions, position
qualifications and Position Task Books.
Title 2, U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, Part 200 (2 CFR Part 200).
Top 10 Procurement under Grants Mistakes Leading to Audits and Potential Loss of FEMA
Public Assistance Funding: A list of the 10 most common procurement mistakes that could lead
to audits and potential losses.
Federal Emergency Management Agency 31
5. Glossary
Disaster recovery programs use very specific terms to identify who can request, receive and apply for
funding. Understanding these terms will help identify which disaster recovery programs the jurisdiction
and other stakeholders can leverage and how to request and apply those funds. The following terms are
common to most grant, loan and financial support programs.
22
TERM DEFINITION
APPLICANT A non-Federal entity submitting an application for assistance.
CASH FLOW
The movement of fiscal resources for obligation and commitment that can
be received and expended within a short accounting cycle.
– A short accounting cycle is typically a 30-day window in which the
jurisdiction pays its debts and fiscal obligations.
– A positive cash flow cycle means the jurisdiction has adequate cash
reserves and receivables that do not exceed expenses.
CONTRACTOR
An entity that receives a contract as defined in 2 CFR § 200.22.
– A contract means a legal instrument by which a non-Federal entity
purchases property or services to carry out a project or program under a
Federal award. The term as used in this part does not include a legal
instrument, even if the non-Federal entity considers it a contract, when
the substance of the transaction meets the definition of a Federal award
or subaward.
FUNDING
Associated with all fiscal assets available to the local jurisdiction to pay fiscal
obligations, whether short term (within 30 days) or long term (greater than
30 days). Includes items such as cash receivables, investment returns,
enterprise receipts and tax base receipts.
NON-FEDERAL ENTITY
A state, local government, tribe, institution of higher education or nonprofit
organization that carries out a Federal award as a recipient or subrecipient.
PASSTHROUGH ENTITY
A non-Federal entity that provides a subaward to a subrecipient to carry out
part of a Federal program.
RECIPIENT
A non-Federal entity that receives a Federal award directly from a Federal
awarding agency to carry out an activity under a Federal program. A recipient
is not inherently a passthrough entity; it only becomes a passthrough entity
when it passes grant funds down to a subrecipient.
SUBAPPLICANT
The jurisdiction or community partner that submits a subapplication to the
applicant (recipient) for assistance. The subapplicant becomes the
subrecipient upon award.
SUBAWARD
An award provided by a passthrough entity to a subrecipient for the
subrecipient to carry out part of a Federal award received by the
passthrough entity. It does not include payments to a contractor or payments
to an individual who is a beneficiary of a Federal program. A subaward may
be provided through any form of legal agreement, including an agreement
that the passthrough entity considers a contract.
22
Recovery programs use the term “applicant” in a totally different manner than listed in the Glossary. In recovery programs,
“applicant” refers to both recipients and subrecipients. However, the terms “recipients” and “subrecipients” are used by the
respective Federal agencies and thus are listed separately in this Glossary.
Federal Emergency Management Agency 32
TERM DEFINITION
SUBRECIPIENT
A non-Federal entity that receives a subaward from a passthrough entity to
carry out part of a Federal program. It does not include an individual who is a
beneficiary of such program. A subrecipient may also be a recipient of other
Federal awards directly from a Federal awarding agency.
Federal Emergency Management Agency 33
6. Acronym List
ACRONYM DEFINITION
ACA Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
ACF HHS Administration for Children and Families
ACL Administration for Community Living
ADA Americans with Disabilities Act
AFG Assistance to Firefighters Grants
AGA Association of Government Accountants
AL Assistance Listings
APTAC Association for Procurement and Technical Assistance Centers
ASPA The American Society for Public Administration
B2S Build to Scale
BIA Bureau of Indian Affairs
BUILD Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development
CCP Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program
CDBG Community Development Block Grant
CDBG-DR Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery
CDL Community Disaster Loan
CFDA Catalog of Federal Disaster Assistance
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COSO Committee of Sponsoring Organizations
CPD Community Planning and Development
CRMT Community Recovery Management Toolkit
CRS Community Rating System
CSBG Community Services Block Grant
DBA Davis-Bacon Act
DCM Disaster Case Management
DHS Department of Homeland Security
DLS Disaster Legal Services
DOD Department of Defense
DOE Department of Energy
DOL Department of Labor
DOT Department of Transportation
DRRA Disaster Recovery Reform Act
DWG Dislocated Worker Grant
DWSRF Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
ECWAG Emergency Community Water Assistance Grant
EDA Economic Development Administration
EDEN Extension Disaster Education Network
Federal Emergency Management Agency 34
ACRONYM DEFINITION
EFFAK Emergency Financial First Aid Kit
EHP Environmental and Historic Preservation
EMA Emergency Management Agency
EOC Emergency Operations Center
EPA Unites States Environmental Protection Agency
ER Emergency Relief
ETA Employment and Training Administration
EWP Emergency Watershed Protection
FASB Financial Accounting Standards Board
FDP Federal Demonstration Partnership
FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency
FHA Federal Housing Authority
FHWA Federal Highway Administration
FLSA Fair Labor Standards Act
FMAG Fire Management Assistant Grant
FP&S Fire Prevention & Safety
FPE Floodplain Easement
FTA Federal Transit Administration
FWS Fish and Wildlife Service
GAAP Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
GASB Governmental Accounting Standards Board
GSA General Services Administration
HHS Department of Health and Human Services
HMGP Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
HRSA Health Resources and Services Administration
HUD Department of Housing and Urban Development
ICDBG Indian Community Development Block Grant
ICMA International City/County Management Association
IHP Individuals and Household Program
IRIS Inquiry Routing and Information System
MAP Moving Ahead for Progress
MOU Memorandum of Understanding
NADL Native American Veteran Direct Loan
NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration
NASPO National Association of State Procurement Officials
NEH National Endowment for the Humanities
NEPA National Environmental Policy Act
NFIP National Flood Insurance Program
NHPA National Historic Preservation Act
NIGP Institute for Public Procurement
Federal Emergency Management Agency 35
ACRONYM DEFINITION
NIMS National Incident Management System
NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NPS National Park Service
NQS National Qualification System
NRCS Natural Resources Conservation Service
NRCSDC NRCS District Conservationist
NRCSSC NRCS State Conservationist
OIG Office of the Inspector General
OMB Office of Management and Budget
PAPPG Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide
PDA Preliminary Damage Assessment
PDAT Procurement Disaster Assistance Team
PDM Pre-Disaster Mitigation
PTB Position Task Book
RD Rural Development
RUS Rural Utilities Service
SAFER Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response
SAMHSA Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
SBA Small Business Administration
SCI Sustainable Communities Initiative
TIGER Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery
USACE United States Army Corps of Engineers
USDA United States Department of Agriculture
USGS United States Geological Survey
VA Department of Veterans Affairs
VOAD Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters
WIOA Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
Federal Emergency Management Agency 36
Appendix A: Introduction to Financial
Assistance Programs
A wealth of financial assistance is available to aid jurisdictions in their disaster recovery efforts. Disaster
financial management teams should become familiar with relevant programs before a disaster occurs, to
streamline the process of recovering disaster costs and enable quick identification and support of
applications for disaster recovery funding.
This appendix introduces key concepts to help jurisdictions identify and review relevant programs,
including available types of disaster financial assistance and the role of presidential disaster declarations
in the process.
Types of Disaster Financial Assistance
Disaster recovery funding falls into five primary categories: state programs, Federal disaster assistance,
supplemental funding, annual programs and nongovernmental and philanthropic organizations.
Understanding these categories helps jurisdictions navigate available programs, manage cash flow
activities and identify programs that best support their needs and timelines.
States have limited disaster funding programs for recovery, which are typically geared towards
emergency costs related to expansion or modification of existing human services programs or
providing cost-share support. Additionally, states may allocate funding from annual programs to
address disaster needs. States also work with VOADs to coordinate nongovernmental resources for
individual and family recovery. Emergency managers and recovery managers are encouraged to
consult with the State Emergency Management Office or the State Disaster Recovery Coordinator
regarding disaster assistance programs or other help in identifying resources from state agencies for
their local communities.
Many Federal disaster funding programs for recovery provide financial support directly to the
locality (recipient), with some providing support through the state (recipient) to the locality
(subrecipient). Some Federal grant programs require recipients to provide matching financial
contributions. Through the Stafford Act, FEMA provides Federal disaster resources. FEMA’s
Individual Assistance, Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Grant Programs are the three main
programs of support in these disasters. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the
Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) may also
expand support under presidential declarations.
Federal Emergency Management Agency 37
In times of need, Congress may pass a supplemental spending bill to allocate additional funds to
recovery programs and support additional needs of affected jurisdictions. Typically designated to
an existing program, supplemental funding creates a disaster-specific version of that program with
disaster-specific timelines. Supplemental funding can also allocate funds to help cover state needs
not typically covered by emergency response and recovery programs (for example: funding to
recover urban forests, reduce wildlife fire incidence due to downed wood or rebuild nursery
production capabilities.
State and Federal annual programs are a significant source of disaster funding for recovery but
usually were not designed with disaster timelines in mind. For example, annual programs that
support housing needs during steady-state may apply to housing for disaster response and recovery
efforts. However, the eligibility, timelines and requirements of the program are not conducive to
quick disaster recovery efforts. Jurisdictions should review annual programs as complementary, not
primary, sources of disaster funding for recovery.
Nongovernmental, nonprofit and philanthropic organizations provide both disaster-specific and
annual resources, often to other nonprofits and quasi-governmental entities, for support activities.
Many Federal and state programs provide funds to nonprofit organization applicants (community
housing or development) for projects that benefit many individuals through housing, social
services, infrastructure or economic development projects. Nonprofits may use the funding to
support their operations, which support and benefit individuals and families. Sometimes, though
not often, nonprofits will award and distribute mini-grants to individuals and families.
The Role of Presidential Disaster Declarations
The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act) authorizes the
President to issue two types of declarations—emergency and major disaster—in response to catastrophes
in the United States that overwhelm state, local, tribal and territorial governments.
23
Both types of
declarations allocate Federal disaster assistance to individuals and families, certain nonprofit
organizations and public agencies and supplement emergency services, such as the protection of lives,
property, public health and safety.
Many Federal programs require a presidential disaster declaration before funding can be made available,
so jurisdictions should look for that requirement when reviewing potential programs. Jurisdictions also
need to understand the disaster declaration process, particularly which types of incident may result in an
emergency declaration or major disaster declaration, to plan accordingly when identifying potential
23
FEMA Disaster Declaration Process: https://www.fema.gov/pdf/media/factsheets/dad_disaster_declaration.pdf.
Federal Emergency Management Agency 38
programs to support specific incidents. Below are descriptions of the two types of presidential disaster
declarations.
Emergency Declarations: These supplement state and local emergency services, such as
protecting lives, property, public health and safety, or lessen or avert the threat of a
catastrophe in any part of the U.S. An emergency declaration can be for any occasion or
instance when the President determines Federal assistance is needed, including before an
actual incident when a threat is recognized. For example, states and territories are
frequently granted declarations prior to a hurricane making landfall or a significant
flooding event. Assistance and funding are limited in scope to activities such as
evacuations and protection of public assets. If the total amount of Federal assistance for a
single emergency exceeds five million dollars, the President shall report to Congress.
Major Disaster Declaration: Issued after a disaster or catastrophic event, this declaration is a
broader authority to help states and local communities, as well as families and individuals,
recover from the damage. The President can declare a major disaster declaration for any natural
event, including any hurricane, tornado, storm, high water, wind-driven water, tidal wave,
tsunami, earthquake, volcanic eruption, landslide, mudslide, snowstorm or drought, or, regardless
of cause, fire, flood or explosion that the President believes has caused damage of such severity
that it is beyond the combined capabilities of state and local governments to respond. A major
disaster declaration provides a wide range of Federal assistance programs for individuals and
public infrastructure, including funds for emergency and permanent work.
Federal Emergency Management Agency 39
Appendix B: Timeline of Common
Federal Disaster Funding Programs
for Recovery
A significant number of disaster recovery funding programs are available to aid jurisdictions. To help
jurisdictions research potential programs, this appendix presents some of the most widely applicable
Federal disaster recovery funding programs.
Figure 3 and the narrative timeline that follows it provide an overview of the most widely applicable
disaster recovery funding programs in chronological order of when they are typically activated. They also
provide an overview of the program requirements and considerations, including potential eligible
recipients. Where relevant, the appendix differentiates between the applicant or recipient, the subapplicant
or subrecipient and the beneficiary of the program.
Whole Community Approach
As part of the Whole Community Approach to Emergency Management, emergency managers engage,
support and guide all members of their jurisdictions and communities through response and recovery
efforts. Individuals and families, nonprofits and philanthropic organizations, critical infrastructure and
key resource entities, small businesses, agricultural entities and jurisdictions should consult the local
emergency manager for disaster response and recovery funding guidance.
Program timing can vary greatly. Most Federal programs are contingent upon a presidential
declaration. Following a declaration, some programs are available immediately to deal with the
immediate consequences of the incident, while eligibility for other programs occurs over time as
the impacts of the disaster become more apparent. For example, GSA disaster assistance
programs are some of the first mechanisms available to jurisdictions, enabling rapid contracting
of basic services or items to accelerate the response and recovery.
24
Other programs, such as the
Highway Trust Fund Emergency Relief Program (ER Program), requires the impacted state DOT
to submit an application for damages to Federal-aid highway routes, which normally requires a
damage inspection field report. As a result, states may not receive funding from this program for
six months or longer.
If programs require additional actions from a jurisdiction (e.g., developing an action plan) prior to
disbursement, funds may not be available until weeks or months after application.
This timeline uses the date of disaster declaration (when the source requires a declaration) and the
actual date of the disaster (when a declaration is not required).
24
Jurisdictions must ensure compliance with the Federal procurement under grant regulations if using GSA Disaster Purchasing.
Purchases are not automatically compliant with these regulations. For more information, review the
PDAT: Purchasing Goods
and Services through the GSA Disaster Fact Sheet.
Federal Emergency Management Agency 40
These timeframes are general categories and do not denote a specific start or end date of
application for each program.
Each program’s timeline can also vary from activation to activation.
Federal Emergency Management Agency 41
FIGURE 3: EXAMPLE TIMELINE OF KEY FEDERAL FUNDING PROGRAMS FOR RECOVERY
Federal Emergency Management Agency 42
For the purposes of this appendix, timeframes are divided into one week, one month, three months, six
months and one-year post-disaster or disaster declaration. These timeframes are notional and do not
denote a specific start or end date of application for each program. Each program’s timeline can vary from
activation to activation, so jurisdictions should review the most recent versions of applicable programs
during disaster response and recovery efforts.
The information on each program provides a high-level overview of the relevant agency, activating
mechanism, cost-sharing requirements, eligibility, timeline, website link and Assistance Listings
(AL)/Catalog of Federal Disaster Assistance (CFDA) number.
25
The at-a-glance references below are not
authoritative for the referenced programs—jurisdictions should seek definitive information on programs
of interest directly from those programs.
One Week After Disaster or Declaration
Actions related to saving lives and mitigating further damage are the priority during the immediate aftermath of
a disaster response. Jurisdictions can perform several quick actions to positively impact disaster financial
management efforts.
In the chaos of the response, the disaster financial management team can use pre-coordinated mechanisms
for funding response actions. When authorized, actions such as implementing GSA schedule purchasing and
activating standard emergency contracts accelerate the response and recovery for the jurisdiction. Pre-disaster
coordination links the various managers who are legally responsible for response and recovery actions with the
actions necessary for successful reimbursement.
Emergency Rehabilitation of Flood Control Works or Federally
Authorized Coastal Protection Works
This program helps repair and restore flood control works damaged by flood, or federally authorized
hurricane flood and shore protection works damaged by extraordinary wind, wave or water action. Public
sponsors must provide lands, easements and rights of way; indemnify the Federal Government from
damages due to authorized work; and satisfactorily maintain any flood control or shore-protection works
involved.
Agency: U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)/Department of the Army/USACE
25
The Federal Government made changes in the way they structured several websites. They combined some legacy sites into one
master site, the new beta.sam.gov
. In the merger, the Federal Government converted the title/verbiage of the old CFDA website
and called the new site “Assistance Listings.” While there are new titles, each assistance listing is associated with a unique
five-digit CFDA number.
Federal Emergency Management Agency 43
Activating Mechanism: Public sponsors of flood control and shore-protection works that are active in the USACE
Rehabilitation and Inspection Program submit written requests to the appropriate USACE district.
Cost-Sharing Requirements: Assistance depends on the rehabilitation work having a favorable benefit-to-cost
ratio. Costs to repair Federal projects, such as USACE constructed, locally operated and maintained projects,
are funded 100 percent of the USACE costs. Costs for non-Federal projects are shared 80 percent by USACE
and 20 percent local.
Eligibility: Owners of damaged flood protective works or state and local officials of public entities responsible
for the maintenance, repair and operation of flood control and shore protection work that are active in the
USACE Rehabilitation and Inspection Program are eligible to apply as recipients. Their active status must be in
effect before the flood or coastal storm damages the project. Gaining active status requires USACE inspection
of the flood control work. Beneficiaries of this program also include all persons living in areas protected by
eligible flood control or coastal protection works.
26
Timeline: Make written applications by letter or on forms used by the local USACE district commander. Submit
applications within 30 days after a flood or unusual coastal storm.
Website: Emergency Rehabilitation of Flood Control Works or Federally Authorized Coastal Protection Works
AL/CFDA Number: 12.102 Emergency Rehabilitation of Flood Control Works or Federally Authorized Coastal
Protection Works
GSA Disaster Purchasing
This program allows local, state and federally recognized tribal governments to buy supplies and services
directly from contractors and suppliers who hold GSA schedules to facilitate recovery from a major
disaster.
27
These governments may also use Disaster Purchasing for preparedness and response functions.
GSA schedules allow the purchaser to obtain services or goods at a federally appropriate and pre-
approved rate.
28
Entities must ensure compliance with Federal procurement under grant regulations if
using GSA Disaster Purchasing. Purchases are not automatically compliant with the Federal procurement
under grant regulations.
29
Agency: GSA
Activating Mechanism: Preparedness for, response to or recovery from a disaster
Cost-Sharing Requirements: N/A
26
Federal Grants Wire. Emergency Rehabilitation of Flood Control Works or Federally Authorized Coastal Protection Works.
https://www.federalgrantswire.com/emergency-rehabilitation-of-flood-control-works-or-federally-authorized-coastal-
protection-works.html#.W0yg0bgpC0.
27
As a condition of receiving financial assistance under the Public Assistance program, applicants must take additional steps
when procuring goods or services through the GSA purchasing program to ensure full compliance with the Federal
procurement under grants rules found at 2 C.F.R. § 200.317–.326.
28
The disaster financial management team should verify their jurisdiction has not excluded GSA schedule purchasing.
29
See the PDAT: Purchasing Goods or Services through the GSA Disaster Fact Sheet and Public Assistance: Purchasing Goods
or Services through Cooperative Purchasing Programs Fact Sheet for more information.
Federal Emergency Management Agency 44
Eligibility: Local, state and federally recognized tribal governments, or any instrumentality thereof, are eligible
to buy supplies and services. Local educational agencies or institutions of higher education may be eligible to
purchase supplies and services. Contractors and recipients of the local or state governments are not eligible.
Purchases are limited to GSA Schedule contracts only. GSA’s Determination of Eligibility process can assist
with eligibility inquiries.
Timeline: N/A
Website: GSA State and Local Government Customers: Disaster Purchasing (program); GSA Determination of
Eligibility Process
AL/CFDA Number: N/A
GSA Disaster Purchasing – Public Health Emergency Program
This program allows local, state, federally recognized tribal and territorial governments to buy supplies
and services directly from contractors and suppliers holding GSA Schedules to respond to a declared
public health emergency. GSA Schedules allow the purchaser to obtain services or goods at a federally
appropriate and pre-approved rate.
30
Entities must ensure compliance with the Federal procurement under
grant regulations if using GSA Disaster Purchasing. Purchases are not automatically compliant with the
Federal procurement under grant regulations.
31
Agency: GSA
Activating Mechanism: HHS-declared public health emergencies
Cost-Sharing Requirements: N/A
Eligibility: Limited to local, state, federally recognized tribal and U.S. territorial governments and GSA schedule
contractors receiving grant funds in direct response to a public health emergency.
Timeline: N/A
Website: https://www.gsa.gov/acquisition/purchasing-programs/gsa-schedules/state-and-local-government-
customers
AL/CFDA Number: N/A
30
The disaster financial management team should verify their jurisdiction has not excluded GSA schedule purchasing.
31
See the PDAT: Purchasing Goods or Services through the GSA Disaster Fact Sheet and Public Assistance: Purchasing Goods
or Services through Cooperative Purchasing Programs Fact Sheet for more information..
Federal Emergency Management Agency 45
One Month After Disaster or Declaration
Once the disaster response has stabilized, restoring the community lifelines
32
becomes the focus. Information
about damages, locations and extent of damage increases in importance. These damage assessments help
refocus assets and resources for restoration. Coordination responsibilities continue to transition from the
emergency manager to the recovery manager during this phase.
On many large-scale disasters, housing, power and utility infrastructure become the prime focus for initial
restoration operations. With initial recovery, the goal will be to allow displaced survivors back into their homes
with the appropriate power, water and sewer systems to restore some basic normalcy.
Community Development Block Grants (CDBG-DR) Program
When the President issues a disaster declaration, Congress may appropriate additional funding for this
program to provide specific funds to a disaster. Provided directly to local and state jurisdictions, CDBG-
DR funding gives recipients a high degree of discretion over its use through a broad range of recovery
projects. This source of Federal disaster recovery aid is the most flexible. For instance, CDBG-DR can
fund mitigation activities, pay a local match to meet Federal cost-share requirements or cover structural
improvements to public infrastructure.
Jurisdictions should note that it can take three to six months to develop an action plan to award funding to
projects and that each time Congress funds CDBG-DR, new requirements and limitations may be
identified. As such, jurisdictions should review the disaster legislation and the CDBG-DR language for
specific requirements, regulatory waivers and limitations on spending.
Agency: HUD/Community Planning and Development (CPD)
Activating Mechanism: Presidential Disaster Declaration
Cost-Sharing Requirements: N/A
Eligibility: A Federal Register Notice provides eligible recovery activities, program requirements and specific
waivers
33
for each CDBG-DR allocation.
Timeline: Congressional approval required.
32
For more information on the seven community lifelines (Safety and Security; Food, Water, Shelter; Health and Medical;
Energy (Power & Fuel); Communications; Transportation; and Hazardous Materials) visit
https://www.fema.gov/media-
library/assets/documents/177222.
33
HUD and CPD Fact Sheet: Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR).
https://www.hudexchange.info/resources/documents/CDBG-DR-Fact-Sheet.pdf
.
Federal Emergency Management Agency 46
Website: Community Development Block Grants Disaster Recovery Program
AL/CFDA Number: N/A
Emergency Community Water Assistance Grant (ECWAG)
ECWAG assists the residents of rural areas that have experienced a significant decline in quantity or
quality of water, or in which such a decline is imminent, to obtain or maintain adequate quantities of
water that meet the standards set by the Safe Drinking Water Act. Grant funds may be used to extend
waterlines on existing systems; construct new water lines; repair existing systems; perform significant
maintenance on existing systems; construct new wells, reservoirs, transmission lines, treatment plants,
storage tanks, etc.; replace equipment; provide connection and/or tap fees; pay costs incurred within six
months of the date an application was filed with USDA to correct an emergency situation that would have
been eligible for funding under this program; or provide funds for any other appropriate related purpose.
Grants are not to exceed $500,000 to address water sources and $150,000 to address the distribution
system. Grant eligible entities should have insufficient cash flow or lack resources to address the
emergency.
Agency: USDA/Rural Utilities Service (RUS)
Activating Mechanism: A major disaster or emergency such as, but not limited to, a drought, earthquake, flood,
tornado, hurricane, disease outbreak, or chemical spill, leakage or seepage.
Cost-Sharing Requirements: None. Up to 100 percent of the project cost, not to exceed the maximum
limitation.
Eligibility: Public bodies in rural areas and towns with populations of 10,000 or less, private nonprofit
corporations, political subdivisions of a state and federally recognized tribes may apply. The Rural
Development state office makes the decision based on applications received. Projects compete nationally for
available funds under the provisions of the ECWAG program.
Timeline: Consult the official designated as the state point of contact for information on application
requirements. Submission is on standard application forms furnished by the USDA to the appropriate district
office. Each year the RUS reviews and scores for priority applications received before November 1. Reviews
continue as long as funds are available.
Website: Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants
AL/CFDA Number: 10.763 Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants
Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program – Recovery
This program helps sponsors implement emergency recovery measures to relieve imminent hazards to life
and property created by a natural disaster that causes a sudden impairment of a watershed. The program
also provides technical and financial assistance to improvements to protect, develop and utilize the land
and water resources in watersheds. Examples include clearing debris from clogged waterways, restoring
vegetation and stabilizing riverbanks. The measures taken must be environmentally and economically
defensible
Federal Emergency Management Agency 47
Another option for assistance includes opportunities for landowners to offer to sell an easement on
agricultural land to the Federal Government. The easement provides permanent restoration of the natural
floodplain hydrology as an alternative to traditional attempts to restore damaged levees, lands and
structures. The easement lands would be ineligible for future Federal disaster assistance. The Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) funds 100 percent of the cost of any needed land treatment
practices.
Agency: USDA NRCS
Activating Mechanism: Any floods, fire, drought or other natural causes that suddenly impair a watershed and
endanger life and property.
Cost-Sharing Requirements: NRCS provides up to 75 percent of the funds to restore the natural function of a
watershed. The sponsor pays the remaining 25 percent by cash or in-kind services.
Eligibility: Each project (with the exception of a floodplain easement) requires a sponsor (recipient) who applies
for the assistance. A sponsor can be any legal subdivision of state or local government, including local officials
of city, county or state governments; federally recognized tribes; soil conservation districts; U.S. Forest Service;
and watershed authorities. This program is also available to U.S. territories. Owners, managers and users of
public, private or federally recognized tribal lands are eligible as subapplicants under the sponsors for EWP
assistance for damages caused by a natural disaster to their watershed area. Beneficiaries may include public
and private landowners or managers and communities within impacted watershed areas.
Timeline: The local NRCS office can provide a sample application. During or immediately after a natural
disaster, the sponsor contacts the local NRCS District Conservationist (NRCSDC) or his or her representative to
determine if the repairs/actions needed are eligible under EWP guidelines. If repairs are eligible, the NRCSDC
works with the area office and the NRCS State Conservationist (NRCSSC) to determine if funds are available to
provide the needed assistance and to quantify the type and cost of repairs. The sponsor files an application for
assistance with the NRCSSC.
Website: Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program-Recovery
AL/CFDA Number: 10.904 Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention
Indian Community Development Block Grants (ICDBG) Program
This is a sister program to the CDBG, focused specifically on federally recognized tribes. The ICDBG
program provides recipients with funding for decent housing, suitable living environments and economic
opportunities,
34
primarily supporting projects for low-and-moderate income tribal members. The two
subprogram areas are Single-Purpose Grants and Imminent Threat Grants. Single-purpose grants are
awarded annually on a competitive basis, whereas the Secretary of HUD may fund the imminent threat
grants to reduce imminent threats or problems that challenge the public health or safety of federally
recognized tribal members.
Agency: HUD
Activating Mechanism: Presidential Disaster Declaration
34
HUD ICDBG: https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/ih/grants/icdbg.
Federal Emergency Management Agency 48
Cost-Sharing Requirements: This program does not require an applicant to leverage resources through cost
sharing or matching. The recipient may receive rating factor points depending on the amount to which they
leverage the grant with other funds and support documentation provided.
35
Eligibility: Federally recognized tribe, band, group or nation (including Alaska Indians, Aleut and Eskimos) or
Alaska Native villages. Federally recognized tribal organizations may be eligible on an individual grant-by-grant
basis.
Timeline: Single-Purpose Grant: Awarded on a competitive basis; see the annual Notice of Funding Availability.
Imminent Threat Grants: Available annually at the discretion of the Secretary of HUD’s allocation of funding to
this noncompetitive, first-come-first-served program.
Website: Indian Community Development Block Grants (ICDBG) Program
AL/CFDA Number: 14.862 Indian Community Development Block Grants (ICDBG) Program
Individual Assistance
Individual Assistance Program provides direct assistance to survivors and to jurisdictions to support the
recovery of individuals and households impacted by disasters:
Through the Individuals and Households Program (IHP), Individual Assistance provides financial
and direct assistance to eligible individuals and households who have underinsured necessary
expenses and serious needs.
Additionally, Individual Assistance offers several community service grants to jurisdictions and
qualified private organizations, such as the following:
– The Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program (CCP) provides eligible jurisdictions
with supplemental funding to assist disaster-impacted individuals and communities in
recovering from the major disaster through the provision of community-based outreach and
psycho-educational services.
– Disaster Case Management (DCM) promotes partnership between a case manager and a
disaster survivor to assess and address a survivor’s disaster-caused needs through a disaster
recovery plan, including providing guidance and tools to assist the survivor.
The types of Individual Assistance services activated depends on the disaster, and all forms of assistance
may not be approved. Activation of the Individual Assistance services depends on the types of assistance
identified in the governor’s or tribal chief executive’s request and the needs identified in the joint
Preliminary Damage Assessment and other assessments.
Agency: DHS/FEMA
Activating Mechanism: Presidential declaration of a major disaster under the Stafford Act.
35
More information on this grant program’s Rating Factors and points can be found at
https://www.hud.gov/sites/documents/2017ICDBGNOFA_MOD.PDF.
Federal Emergency Management Agency 49
Cost-Sharing Requirements: Cost-sharing depends on which Individual Assistance services are
activated, as each service has its own cost-sharing requirements. Most Individual Assistance services,
like the Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program, do not have a cost-share. Other Needs
Assistance and Transitional Sheltering Assistance are subject to a cost-share.
Eligibility: Individuals and households, as well as states, localities, federally recognized tribes and
territories governments.
Timeline: Within 30 days of the incident, the governor or tribal chief executive may request a major
disaster declaration that includes the types of Individual Assistance needed to help meet disaster
survivors' needs. After the President approves the disaster declaration, FEMA officials (the Assistant
Administrator for Recovery, the Individual Assistance Division Director, the Regional Administrator or the
Federal Coordinating Officer) may approve which Individual Assistance services to activate.
Website: Individual Assistance Program and Policy Guide
AL/CFDA Numbers: 97.032 Crisis Counseling; 97.033 Disaster Legal Services; 97.034 Disaster
Unemployment Assistance; 97.048 Individuals and Households Program; 97.050 Other Needs Assistance
Public Assistance
This program provides supplemental assistance to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments and
certain private nonprofit organizations via grants to alleviate suffering and hardship from major disasters
or presidentially declared emergencies. Grant funds can be used to clear debris; apply emergency
protective measures to preserve life and property in response to the disaster; and repair or replace
damaged structures (e.g., buildings, utilities, roads and bridges, water-control facilities and recreational
facilities). For insurable structures located in identified Special Flood Hazard areas, assistance from
FEMA is reduced by the amount of insurance that could have been obtained under a standard National
Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policy (see Appendix C
). The FEMA Regional Administrator approves
grants based on applications from eligible applicants. States distribute funds to subrecipients.
Agency: DHS/FEMA
Activating Mechanism: Presidential declaration of a major disaster or emergency under the Stafford Act,
designated for public assistance.
Cost-Sharing Requirements: Federal, not less than 75 percent; state and local governments or private
nonprofit organizations, the remainder. The grant may stipulate other matching requirements.
Eligibility: States, localities, federally recognized tribes, Alaska Native villages and any political subdivision of a
state can apply as recipients. Private nonprofit organizations that operate utility, educational, emergency or
medical facilities, or that provide custodial care or other essential services of governmental nature to the
general public, are also eligible to apply. Typically, the state or federally recognized tribe is the recipient
(applicant) and other entities are subrecipients (subapplicants). As a condition of grants under the Stafford Act,
applicants are encouraged to mitigate natural hazards.
Timeline: Apply through the governor’s authorized representative to the FEMA Regional Administrator in
accordance with FEMA Disaster Assistance Regulations, 44 CFR Part 206, except as provided in Part
206.35(d) for emergency declarations involving primarily Federal responsibility. Consult the office or official
designated as the point of contact in the state for more information. The applicant normally submits a Request
for Public Assistance within 30 days of a declaration.
Federal Emergency Management Agency 50
Website: FEMA Public Assistance
AL/CFDA Number: 97.036 Public Assistance Grants
Three Months After Disaster or Declaration
At the three-month mark, the jurisdiction has typically gained clarity around the extent of the damage, impacts,
costs and continuing primary issues. The focus during this time period typically ranges from restoring
infrastructure to beginning long-term recovery. The Public Assistance process begins with projects identified,
scoped and financially estimated. The various managers who are legally responsible work on specific housing,
utility or other infrastructure projects. The concentration of effort becomes specific and often narrows to
individual projects that are the primary focus area. The disaster financial management team helps manage the
disaster financial management administrative processes.
Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program
This program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An
essential community facility provides an essential service for the orderly development of the community
and does not include private, commercial or business undertakings.
Agency: USDA Rural Development (RD)
Activating Mechanism: Applications are accepted year-round for this program.
Cost-Sharing Requirements: Amount varies. Grants are authorized on a graduated scale. Applicants in small
communities with low populations and low incomes will receive a higher percentage of grants.
Eligibility: Rural areas including villages, townships, towns, municipalities, special-purpose districts, cities,
community-based nonprofit organizations and federally recognized tribal lands with no more than 20,000
residents according to the latest U.S. Census Data are eligible to apply as recipients.
Timeline: Ongoing
Website: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/community-facilities-direct-loan-grant-program
AL/CFDA Number: 10.766 Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF)
This Federal-state partnership helps ensure safe drinking water. Created by the 1996 Amendments to the
Safe Drinking Water Act, the program provides financial support to water systems and to state safe water
programs.
Federal Emergency Management Agency 51
Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Activating Mechanism: States rank the project applications they receive from water systems and produce a
Project Priority List.
Cost-Sharing Requirements: States contribute 20 percent to match the Federal grants.
Eligibility: States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are eligible to apply as recipients.
Timeline: N/A
Website: https://www.epa.gov/drinkingwatersrf
AL/CFDA Number: 66.468 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF)
Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) Program
FEMA provides financial assistance (grants) to assist in reimbursement for equipment, supplies and
personnel to any local, federally recognized tribal or state government to mitigate, manage and control
any declared fire burning on public or private forest land or grassland that threatens destruction as a major
disaster.
Agency: DHS/FEMA
Activating Mechanism: Funding allocated from the Disaster Relief Fund.
Cost-Sharing Requirements: 75 percent Federal, 25 percent non-Federal.
Eligibility: States and federally recognized tribal governments are eligible to apply for fire management
assistance grants as recipients. Subrecipients may include local jurisdictions, other state entities and federally
recognized tribes.
Timeline: A state governor submits a request for a fire management assistance declaration through the FEMA
region to the FEMA Administrator while the fire is burning and uncontrolled. Under an approved fire
management assistance declaration, state or federally recognized tribal governments may submit a grant
application to FEMA’s Regional Administrator for review and approval pursuant to the requirements specified in
Title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations (44 CFR) Part 204.
36
Website: Fire Management Assistance Grant Program
AL/CFDA Number: 97.046 Fire Management Assistance Grant
National Dislocated Worker Grants (DWGs)
Formerly known as National Emergency Grants, this program provides resources to states and other
eligible applicants to respond to large incidents causing significant job losses. The intent is to temporarily
expand capacity to serve dislocated workers, including military service members, and meet the increased
36
Title 44 CFR Part 204: https://ecfr.io/Title-44/cfr204_main.
Federal Emergency Management Agency 52
demand for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) employment and training services. This
program helps create temporary jobs for workers dislocated by disasters to clean up and recover from the
disaster, to reemploy laid-off workers and to enhance laid-off workers’ employability and earnings.
Agency: U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)/Employment and Training Administration (ETA)
Activating Mechanism: Presidential Disaster Declaration
Cost-Sharing Requirements: None
Eligibility: After a disaster declaration, states can apply as recipients. Individuals dislocated by a disaster may
be subrecipients. Beneficiaries may include these individuals and their dependents.
Timeline: Applicants define the period of performance in the application. The project start date must
reasonably align with the date of the first dislocation and the subsequent submission of the application. For
Disaster DWGs addressing an emergency or major disaster declared by FEMA, the project start date cannot be
before the disaster’s incident date in the FEMA declaration, and no costs may be covered prior to the date of
the disaster declaration.
Website: National Dislocated Worker Grants
AL/CFDA Number: 17.277 WIOA National Dislocated Worker Grants/Workforce Investment Act National
Emergency Grants
Six Months After Disaster or Declaration
At six months post disaster, the jurisdiction is typically focusing heavily on long-term infrastructure projects.
The disaster financial management team should have abundant administrative documentation for disaster
financial management from the Federal or state government or other private funders.
Infrastructure projects tend to large-scale projects that link initial recovery needs with long-term and final
recovery; they often include major roads, highways, bridges, long-term housing and final utility line starts.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) – Entitlement
Program
This program uses annual formula grants to help entitlement communities (metropolitan cities and urban
counties) develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living
environment and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- to moderate-income persons.
The most appropriate disaster-related use of funds is for long-term recovery needs, such as rehabilitating
residential and commercial buildings; acquiring, constructing or reconstructing public facilities and
improvements; assisting disaster-affected businesses with economic development activities to create and
retain jobs; and making relocation payments to displaced people and businesses. Funds are also allowed
for emergency response activities, such as debris removal, clearance and demolition, and extraordinary
Federal Emergency Management Agency 53
increases in the level of public services for disaster victims. At least 70 percent of funds must be used for
activities that principally benefit persons of low and moderate income.
Program rules include procedures to amend the planned use of funds to delete activities and substitute
others. This means that when a disaster occurs, a community may amend its planned use of awarded
funds and instead use the funds for disaster response and recovery activities that do not duplicate
activities reimbursable by FEMA or other available assistance.
Agency: HUD/CPD
Activating Mechanism: Presidential Disaster Declaration
Cost-Sharing Requirements: None
Eligibility: Certain metropolitan cities and qualified urban counties can apply as recipients. Recipients in
designated major disaster areas may request and receive waivers of statutory and regulatory program
requirements for the use of annual allocations of CDBG funds that recipients designate to address the
damage; however, statutory requirements pertaining to nondiscrimination, fair housing, labor standards,
environmental standards and benefiting persons of low and moderate income are not waivable. Unless
appropriated by Congress, additional grants from emergency supplemental CDBG funds are not available. HUD
publishes Federal Register Notices for the use of CDBG disaster recovery funds reflecting purposes and
requirements of appropriations statutes, including waivers and alternative requirements to those of the annual
CDBG allocations.
Timeline: An entitlement community must follow its citizen participation plan for substantial amendments to its
action plan. HUD will review and respond quickly to questions about program requirements and requests for
waivers. HUD notifies eligible governments receiving CDBG disaster recovery allocations, which must then
develop and submit an action plan for disaster recovery that describes the needs, strategies and projected
uses of the disaster recovery funds before receiving CDBG grants.
Website: Community Development Block Grant Entitlement Program
AL/CFDA Number: 14.218 Community Development Block Grants/Entitlement Grants
Community Disaster Loan (CDL) Program
This program provides funds to any eligible jurisdiction in a designated disaster area that has suffered a
substantial loss of tax and other revenue. The jurisdiction must demonstrate a need for financial assistance
to perform its governmental functions. The loans are not to exceed 25 percent of the local government’s
annual operating budget for the fiscal year in which the major disaster occurs, up to a maximum of five
million dollars.
Agency: DHS/FEMA
Activating Mechanism: Presidential declaration of a major disaster or emergency under the Stafford Act,
designated for public assistance
Cost-Sharing Requirements: None
Eligibility: Any local government or other eligible jurisdiction, including federally recognized tribes, in a
designated disaster area that has demonstrated a substantial tax loss and a need for financial assistance to
perform its governmental functions.
Federal Emergency Management Agency 54
Timeline: The state’s governor requests a presidential declaration of an emergency or disaster through the
FEMA Regional Administrator. An applicant should consult the office or official point of contact for more
information on the process the state requires to apply for assistance. Upon declaration of a major disaster,
apply through the governor’s authorized representative.
Website: Community Disaster Loans Program
AL/CFDA Number: 97.030 Community Disaster Loans
Highway Trust Fund – Emergency Relief (ER) Program
This emergency subprogram of the Highway Trust Fund supplements the repair or reconstruction of
Federal-aid highways and roads on Federal lands which have suffered serious damage as a result of
natural disasters or catastrophic failures from an external cause. For a natural disaster, damage to
highways must be severe, occur over a wide area and result in unusually high expenses to the highway
agency. For a catastrophic failure due to an external cause, the failure must not be the result of an inherent
flaw; must be sudden and cause a disastrous impact on transportation services; and must result in
unusually high expenses to the highway agency.
Agency: DOT Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
Activating Mechanism: Requires Congressional Appropriation. Serious damage to Federal-aid roads or roads on
Federal lands caused by a natural disaster or by catastrophic failure. Requires a disaster
declaration/proclamation. Any of the following fulfill this requirement: the President makes a major disaster
declaration under the Stafford Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) or the state governor issues an emergency or
disaster proclamation and FHWA concurs on the declaration.
Cost-Sharing Requirements: Eligible emergency repairs done within 180 days of the disaster: the Federal share
is 100 percent; otherwise, the type of Federal-aid highway repaired determines the Federal share. For
interstate highways, the Federal share is 90 percent; for all other Federal-aid highways, the Federal share is 80
percent. For roads on Federal lands, the Federal share is 100 percent for both emergency and permanent
repairs.
Eligibility: State highway and state and federally recognized tribal transportation agencies are eligible to apply
as recipients.
Timeline: The state department of transportation submits an application for damages to Federal-aid highway
routes and by the applicable Federal agency for damages to roads on Federal lands. Applications normally
include a damage inspection field report which is submitted to FHWA following the initial notification of intent
to apply for emergency relief funds.
Website: Highway Trust Fund-Emergency Relief Program
AL/CFDA Number: 20.205 Highway Planning and Construction (Federal-Aid Highway Program)
Federal Emergency Management Agency 55
One Year After Disaster or Declaration
One year after the disaster, the disaster financial management team and the various managers who are legally
responsible are actively managing the administrative components of the disaster financial management
process. The extensive documentation needed for personnel, equipment, procurements and other expenses
associated with the disaster consumes much of the time.
In addition to the administrative actions, the emergency manager and recovery manager may coordinate
potential hazard mitigation projects identified in the FEMA-approved Hazard Mitigation Plan and have
mitigation funds attached to the declared disaster.
CDBG Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program
This program develops viable urban communities by providing decent housing and suitable living
environments and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income
individuals. Entitlement communities can receive (in the aggregate) loan guarantees equal to five times
their CDBG entitlement amount. Non-entitlement communities can also receive loan guarantees (in the
aggregate) equal to five times the average grant they have received from their state’s grant under the
CDBG program. (The state must be willing to pledge its CDBG funds as security for loan guarantees.)
However, states may place additional restrictions on the amounts offered and requirements of use. The
maximum loan repayment period is 20 years. Loan guarantees can be used to finance acquisition of real
property; rehabilitation of housing and publicly owned real property; construction, reconstruction or
installation of public facilities and related relocation, clearance and site improvements; and for economic
development activities. At least 70 percent of expenditures of loan proceeds, together with expenditures
of grant funds and program income, must benefit low- and moderate-income persons. HUD has no
authority to waive statutory requirements for this program.
Agency: HUD/CPD
Activating Mechanism: N/A
Cost-Sharing Requirements: N/A
Eligibility: Metropolitan cities, urban counties (CDBG entitlement recipients), and states are eligible to apply as
recipients. In most cases, non-entitlement communities may be eligible as subrecipients under the state and
can receive a loan guarantee provided that HUD has not exceeded its commitment authority for the year, the
proposed use is eligible, the guaranteed loan is adequately secured, and the community (or state) has not
already reached its maximum guarantee level.
Timeline: N/A
Website: Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program
AL/CFDA Number: 14.248 Community Development Block Grants – Section 108 Loan Guarantees
Federal Emergency Management Agency 56
Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) – State Program
This program authorizes states to award formula grants to local areas not covered by the CDBG-
Entitlement program. These grants provide decent housing and suitable living environments and expand
economic opportunities, principally for low- to moderate-income persons. Recipients may include disaster
recovery in their annual action plans for CDBG (state and entitlement) and re-purpose available funding
more quickly if a disaster occurs.
Agency: HUD/CPD
Activating Mechanism: Presidential Disaster Declaration
Cost-Sharing Requirements: None
Eligibility: Forty-nine state governments and Puerto Rico that have elected to administer CDBG funds for non-
entitled communities may be eligible to apply. (Since the State of Hawaii has permanently elected to not
participate in the State CDBG Program, HUD administers the program for the State of Hawaii non-entitlement
counties.) States with designated major disaster areas may request and receive waivers of statutory and
regulatory program requirements regarding the use of annual allocations of CDBG funds that states, or state
grant recipients, designate to address the damage; however, statutory requirements pertaining to
nondiscrimination, fair housing, labor standards and environmental standards and benefiting persons of low-
and moderate-income are not waivable. Unless appropriated by Congress, additional grants from emergency
supplemental CDBG funds are not available. HUD publishes Federal Register Notices for the use of CDBG
disaster recovery funds reflecting the purposes and requirements of appropriations statutes, including waivers
and alternative requirements to those of the annual CDBG allocations. Only non-entitlement Units of General
Local Government may be eligible subrecipients.
Timeline: A state must submit a new or amended action plan if its method of distribution changes. HUD will
review and respond quickly to questions about program requirements and requests for waivers. HUD notifies
eligible governments receiving CDBG disaster recovery allocations, which must then develop and submit an
action plan that describes the needs, strategies, and projected uses of the disaster recovery funds for disaster
recovery before receiving CDBG disaster recovery grants.
Website: State Community Development Block Grant Program
AL/CFDA Number: 14.228 Community Development Block Grants/State Program
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)
This program provides financial assistance to local and state governments for implementing measures that
will permanently reduce or eliminate future damages and losses from natural hazards through safer
building practices and improving existing structures and supporting infrastructure. States manage HMGP
funds, and local governments must work with and through the state to receive the funds. Based on the
estimated total Federal assistance, HMGP funding is subject to the Title 44 CFR Section 206.432(b)
sliding scale.
Agency: DHS/FEMA
Federal Emergency Management Agency 57
Activating Mechanism: Presidential Major Disaster Declaration or Fire Management Assistance Grant
declaration
Cost-Sharing Requirements: N/A
Eligibility: State agencies, local governments, public entities, private nonprofit organizations as defined in 44
CFR Section 206.433, federally recognized tribes or authorized tribal organizations and Alaska Native villages
or organizations are eligible to apply as recipients. All applicants must have a FEMA-approved hazard
mitigation plan. Property owners are eligible as subrecipients.
Timeline: A Presidential Major Disaster Declaration activates the timeline. Applicants must notify FEMA if the
state will or will not participate in this program by providing a Letter of Intent within 30 days after the
declaration and have 36 months from the close of the application period to complete projects.
Website: The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Guide
AL/CFDA Number: 97.039 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
Federal Emergency Management Agency 58
Appendix C: Additional Federal
Disaster Assistance Resources and
Programs
Federal disaster response and recovery grant programs direct governmental financial aid across
jurisdictional boundaries to help jurisdictions and communities respond to and recover from disasters.
Although government financial assistance cannot resolve all monetary constraints, jurisdictions and
community partners benefit from a locally executed, federally supported approach to disaster response
and recovery.
Disasterassistance.gov
helps individuals and households find disaster assistance. With over 70 different
types of assistance from 17 Federal agencies, individuals can search via zip code, declared disaster,
Federal agency or type of assistance. Applicants can reduce the number of forms required to apply for
support; check the status of their application; find a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center, hotel or new place
to live; search food and nutritional support programs; update their address for Federal benefit programs,
including Social Security; and learn about SBA loans for homeowners, renters and businesses.
Currently, beta.sam.gov
also offers the ability to search and view public data across all domains, create a
user account, access the help center and provide feedback to GSA regarding the site. GSA is in the
process of streamlining and consolidating 10 legacy Federal award systems into
beta.sam.gov. This
website will be intuitive, user friendly and secure for users to make, receive and manage Federal awards
via a single sign-on option with multifactor authentication. Until functionality from each of the legacy
systems is migrated, the legacy sites will provide official government information, run reports and enter
required data. The Assistance Listings system can be found via
beta.sam.gov. Additionally, grants.gov is
a research resource to help identify grants and cooperative agreements.
This appendix provides a supplementary list of some additional disaster assistance programs, including
insurance, grants, toolkits and resources, to help jurisdictions explore wider disaster assistance
opportunities. These atypical resources may be a good fit for disaster impacts. As part of pre-disaster
planning, emergency managers and recovery managers should review and become familiar with the
programs that may provide the greatest benefits to their communities.
Coastal Concerns
Beach Erosion Control Projects, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE): Helps control
beach and shore erosion projects not specifically authorized by Congress.
https://www.federalgrantswire.com/beach-erosion-control-projects.html#.W2TAHtJKiUk
Coastal Resilience Grants Program, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA): Funds projects that help coastal communities and ecosystems prepare for and recover
from extreme weather disasters, climate hazards and changing ocean conditions.
https://coast.noaa.gov/resilience-grant/
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Coastal & Waterfront Smart Growth, NOAA: Supports development at the water’s edge, and
includes tools, reports and recommendations for balancing environmental, economic and quality
of life concerns between development and waterfront risks. http://coastalsmartgrowth.noaa.gov/
Digital Coast, NOAA: Meets the unique needs of the coastal management community by
providing not only coastal data, but also the tools, training and information needed to make this
data truly useful. http://coast.noaa.gov/digitalcoast/
National Coastal Zone Management Program, NOAA: Works with states and territories to
protect, restore and responsibly develop coastal communities, resources and economies.
http://coast.noaa.gov/czm/
Conservation Concerns
Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program, NOAA: Provides funds to state and local
governments to purchase threatened coastal and estuarine lands or obtain conservation easements,
with more than 16,000 more acres protected as in-kind matching contributions.
http://coast.noaa.gov/czm/landconservation/
Conservation and Development Program, USDA NRCS: Helps conserve, develop and use
natural resources, improves the general level of economic activity and enhances the environment
and standard of living in designated resource conservation and development areas through various
grants for land conservation, water management, community development and environmental
needs.
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/technical/nra/nri/?cid=nrcs143_013723
Conservation Funding Opportunities, National Marine Fisheries Service: Provides financial
support to protect and restore habitat to sustain fisheries, recover protected species and maintain
resilient coastal ecosystems and communities.
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/funding-
opportunities
Endangered Species/Grants, Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS): Provides financial assistance
through grants and cooperative agreement awards to commercial organizations, foreign entities,
federally recognized tribal governments, individuals, institutions of higher education, nonprofit
organizations and state, local and territorial governments.
http://www.fws.gov/endangered/grants/index.html
Environmental Quality Program, FWS: Provides contaminants expertise to all Service
programs, including the National Wildlife Refuge System, Endangered Species, Migratory Birds,
Fisheries, Marine Mammals, International Affairs and Law Enforcement.
http://www.fws.gov/midwest/es/ec/ecFactSheet.html
Land and Water Conservation Fund, National Park Service (NPS): Supports the protection of
Federal public lands and waters, including national parks, forests, wildlife refuges and recreation
areas and voluntary conservation on private land. https://www.doi.gov/lwcf
National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program, FWS: Annually provides grants of up
to $1 million to coastal and Great Lakes states, as well as U.S. territories, to protect, restore and
enhance coastal wetland ecosystems and associated uplands.
http://www.fws.gov/coastal/CoastalGrants/
Federal Emergency Management Agency 60
National Wildlife Refuge System/Comprehensive Conservation Plans, FWS: Ensures that each
refuge unit is managed to fulfill the purpose(s) for which it was established. Completed
comprehensive conservation plans allow refuge managers to take actions that support state
wildlife action plans, improve the condition of habitats and benefit wildlife.
http://www.fws.gov/refuges/planning/ComprehensiveConservationPlans.html
North American Wetlands Conservation Act, FWS: Grants to increase bird populations and
wetland habitat while supporting local economies and American traditions such as hunting,
fishing, birdwatching, family farming and cattle ranching.
http://www.fws.gov/birds/grants/north-
american-wetland-conservation-act.php
Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program, NPS: Supports community-led natural
resource conservation and outdoor recreation projects. http://www.nps.gov/rtca
Sea Grant Programs, NOAA: Enhances the practical use and conservation of coastal, marine and
Great Lakes resources to create a sustainable economy and environment. http://seagrant.noaa.gov/
Dam and Levee Concerns
Dam Safety Program, USACE: Helps projects deliver their intended benefits while reducing
risks to people, property and the environment through continuous assessment, communication
and management. http://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/DamSafetyProgram.aspx
Levee Safety Program, USACE: Works with local levee sponsors and stakeholders to make sure
levees provide their intended benefit, which is to reduce flood risk to people, businesses, critical
infrastructure and the environment.
http://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/LeveeSafetyProgram.aspx
National Dam Safety Program Information, FEMA: Protects Americans from dam failure. A
partnership of states, Federal agencies and other stakeholders that helps establish and maintain
effective Federal and state dam safety programs to reduce the risks to human life, property and
the environment. https://www.fema.gov/national-dam-safety-program
Drought Concerns
Emergency Drought Assistance, USACE: Provides temporary emergency water assistance to a
jurisdiction while states and locals governments restore permanent water supplies for human
consumption. http://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/EmergencyOperations/Drought.aspx
Drought Programs and Assistance, USDA: Resources to help farmers, ranchers and small
businesses respond to persistent drought.
https://www.usda.gov/topics/disaster/drought/usda-
drought-programs-and-assistance
Drought Response Program, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation: Helps water managers develop and
update comprehensive drought plans and implement projects that will build long-term resiliency
to drought. https://www.usbr.gov/drought/
Federal Emergency Management Agency 61
Earthquake Concerns
Earthquake Hazards Program, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS): Monitors and reports
earthquakes, assesses earthquake impacts and hazards and conducts research on the causes and
effects of earthquakes. https://www.usgs.gov/natural-hazards/earthquake-hazards
National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, FEMA, National Institute of Standards
and Technology, National Science Foundation, USGS: Provides effective practices and
policies to reduce risks to life and property in the U.S. that result from earthquakes.
http://www.nehrp.gov/
Economic and Community Development
Concerns
Build to Scale (B2S) Program, EDA: Awards grants that build regional capacity to translate
innovations into jobs through proof-of-concept and commercialization assistance to innovators
and entrepreneurs and through operational support for organizations that provide essential early-
stage risk capital. Formerly the Regional Innovation Strategies (RIS) Program.
https://www.eda.gov/oie/buildtoscale/
Disaster Recovery/Post-Disaster Economic Recovery Resources, U.S. Economic Development
Administration (EDA): Resources for disaster recovery managers both to prepare for and
respond to catastrophic disaster scenarios. https://www.eda.gov/programs/disaster-recovery/
Funding Opportunities, EDA: Provides investments that support construction, nonconstruction,
planning, technical assistance and revolving loan fund projects.
https://www.eda.gov/funding-
opportunities/
Green Infrastructure Technical Assistance Program, EPA: A cost-effective, resilient approach
to managing wet-weather impacts that provides many community benefits.
http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/greeninfrastructure/index.cfm
Smart Growth: Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities, EPA: Quick, targeted technical
assistance to selected communities using a variety of tools that have demonstrated results and
widespread application to stimulate growth and development and strengthen local capacity to
implement sustainable approaches.
https://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/building-blocks-
sustainable-communities
Smart Growth: Implementation Assistance Program, EPA: Direct technical assistance to
communities from a team of national experts in one of two areas: policy analysis or public
participatory processes. Assistance is tailored to a community’s individual situation and priorities.
https://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/smart-growth-implementation-assistance
Federal Emergency Management Agency 62
Employment Concerns
Career OneStop: Worker Re-Employment, American Job Centers Network, Department of
Labor (DOL): Free help to job seekers for a variety of career and employment-related needs.
http://www.careeronestop.org/ReEmployment/
Community Economic Development Program, HHS Administration for Children and
Families (ACF): Funds community development corporations that address the economic needs of
low-income individuals and families by creating sustainable business development and
employment opportunities. http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/programs/ced
Disaster Unemployment Assistance, DOL: Financial assistance to individuals whose
employment or self-employment has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a major disaster
and who are not eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits.
http://workforcesecurity.doleta.gov/unemploy/disaster.asp
Unemployment Insurance, DOL: Benefits for eligible workers who are unemployed through no
fault of their own (as determined under state law) and meet other eligibility requirements of state
law. http://workforcesecurity.doleta.gov/unemploy/uifactsheet.asp
Youth Conservation Corps, NPS: A summer youth employment program that engages young
people in meaningful work experiences on national parks, forests, wildlife refuges and fish
hatcheries while developing an ethic of environmental stewardship and civic responsibility.
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/youthprograms/ycc.htm
Energy Efficiency Concerns
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program, U.S. Department of Energy
(DOE): Reduces fossil fuel emissions and total energy use; works with cities, counties, states,
territories and federally recognized tribes to implement and manage energy efficiency and
conservation project and programs in transportation, building and other sectors.
http://energy.gov/eere/wipo/energy-efficiency-and-conservation-block-grant-program
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, HHS: Helps keep families safe and healthy
through initiatives that assist families with energy costs.
https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ocs/programs/liheap
Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs, DOE: Funds and implements a variety of
programmatic activities that assist federally recognized tribes and Alaska Native villages with
energy development, capacity building, energy cost reduction and electrification of tribal lands
and homes. https://www.energy.gov/indianenergy/about-us
Pay for Energy Initiatives, DOE: Provides a list of available resources for local, state and
federally recognized tribal governments who are designing and implementing energy financing
programs to serve both public facilities as well as private building in industrial, commercial and
residential markets. http://energy.gov/eere/slsc/financing-solutions
Strategic Energy Planning, DOE: Provides federally recognized tribes and Alaska Native
communities with technical assistance and resources for strategic energy planning. A strategic
energy plan identifies a community’s energy priorities and guides decision making to better
Federal Emergency Management Agency 63
position a community for new opportunities to increase self-sufficiency.
https://www.energy.gov/indianenergy/downloads/tribal-strategic-energy-plan-and-planning-
handbook
Weatherization and Intergovernmental Programs Office, DOE: Strategic investments in energy
efficiency and renewable energy technologies through innovative practices.
http://energy.gov/eere/wipo/weatherization-and-intergovernmental-programs-office
Environment Concerns
Brownfields – Urban Waters Program, USACE: Helps communities prevent, assess, safely
clean up and sustainably reuse abandoned Brownfields and idled or under-used industrial and
commercial facilities where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived
environmental contamination.
http://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Environmental/BrownfieldsUrbanWaters.aspx
Superfund Program, EPA: Cleans up some of the Nation’s most contaminated land and responds
to environmental emergencies, oil spills and natural disasters. https://www.epa.gov/superfund
The Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund, U.S. Coast Guard National Pollution Funds Center: An
immediate source of Federal funding to respond to oil spills in a timely manner.
https://www.uscg.mil/Mariners/National-Pollution-Funds-Center/About_NPFC/OSLTF/
Underground Storage Tanks Program, EPA: Protects human health and the environment from
the adverse effects of petroleum, petroleum-related products and hazardous materials.
http://www.epa.gov/oust/
Fire Concerns
Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG), FEMA: Enhances the safety of the public and
firefighters with respect to fire-related hazards by providing direct financial assistance to eligible
fire departments, nonaffiliated Emergency Medical Services organizations and State Fire Training
Academies. https://www.fema.gov/assistance-firefighters-grant
Fire Prevention & Safety (FP&S) Grants, FEMA: Part of the Assistance to Firefighters Grants
program; enhances the safety of the public and firefighters from fire and related hazards to reduce
injury and prevent death among high-risk populations.
https://www.fema.gov/fire-prevention-
safety-grants
Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grants, FEMA: Provides
funding to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations to increase or maintain
trained firefighters in their communities.
https://www.fema.gov/staffing-adequate-fire-
emergency-response-grants
Federal Emergency Management Agency 64
Flood Concerns
Automated Flood Warning System, NOAA National Weather Service: Connects local flood-
warning systems and integrates and shares information from 1,700 sensors in 12 states.
http://water.weather.gov/afws/
Community Rating System (CRS), FEMA: Recognizes and encourages community floodplain
management activities that exceed the minimum NFIP standards.
https://www.fema.gov/national-
flood-insurance-program-community-rating-system
Emergency Advance Measures for Flood Prevention, USACE: Performs activities prior to
flooding or flood fight to help protect against loss of life and damages to property due to flooding.
https://www.federalgrantswire.com/emergency-advance-measures-for-flood-
prevention.html#.W2TAZtJKiUk
Hazard Mitigation Assistance – Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant Program, FEMA: Funds
state and local jurisdictions, federally recognized tribes and territories for projects and planning
that reduce or eliminate long-term risk of flood damage to structures insured under the NFIP.
https://www.fema.gov/flood-mitigation-assistance-program
NFIP, FEMA: Reduces the impact of flooding on private and public structures by providing
affordable insurance to property owners, renters and businesses and encouraging communities to
adopt and enforce floodplain management regulations.
https://www.fema.gov/national-flood-
insurance-program
Public Law 84-99 Rehabilitation Program, USACE: Rehabilitation assistance to eligible flood
protection systems damaged by a flood disaster.
https://www.iwr.usace.army.mil/Missions/Flood-
Risk-Management/Flood-Risk-Management-Program/Partners-in-Shared-Responsibility/USACE-
Staff/PL-84-99-Rehabilitation-Program/
Repetitive Flood Claims Grant Program, FEMA: Funding to reduce or eliminate the long-term
risk of flood damage to structures insured under the NFIP that have had one or more claim
payment(s) for flood damages.
https://www.fema.gov/repetitive-flood-claims-grant-program-fact-
sheet
Silver Jackets, USACE: Brings together state, Federal and sometimes federally recognized tribal
and local agencies to learn from one another in reducing flood risk and other natural disasters.
https://silverjackets.nfrmp.us
Federal Emergency Management Agency 65
General Disaster Assistance, Resources and
Tools
37
Community Recovery Management Toolkit (CRMT), FEMA: Guidance, case studies, tools and
training to help local communities manage long-term recovery. https://www.fema.gov/national-
disaster-recovery-framework/community-recovery-management-toolkit
Civil Rights in Emergencies and Disasters Resources, Office for Civil Rights and Civil
Liberties, DHS: Information and technical resources to help emergency managers understand
and meet their civil rights obligations during disasters to protect individuals with disabilities and
racially and ethnically diverse communities, including those with limited English proficiency.
https://www.dhs.gov/civil-rights-emergencies-and-disasters
Earth Science Data, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Science
Mission Directorate: This major core capability in NASA’s Earth Science Data Systems
Program ingests, processes, archives and distributes data from a large number of Earth-observing
satellites. http://science.nasa.gov/earth-science/earth-science-data/
Emergency Management Performance Grant Program, FEMA: Helps implement the National
Preparedness System by supporting the building, sustainment and delivery of core capabilities
essential to achieving the National Preparedness Goal of a secure and resilient Nation.
https://www.fema.gov/emergency-management-performance-grant-program
Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN): Reducing the Impacts of Disasters Through
Education, Louisiana State University: Enables educators to use, share and produce resources
to reduce the impact of disasters. Topics range from food safety to field safety, physical to
psychological and government to community development. https://eden.lsu.edu/
Financial Assistance and Social Services, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA): Helps federally
recognized American Indian and Alaskan Native tribal members meet essential needs of food,
clothing, shelter and utilities. https://www.benefits.gov/benefits/benefit-details/801
Gap Analysis Project, USGS: Conducts national as well as regional and state projects using
cooperative efforts among Federal, state and regional agencies and private organizations.
http://gapanalysis.usgs.gov/
Individuals and Households Program (IHP) – Other Needs Assistance, DHS: Helps individuals
and households affected by a disaster address necessary expenses and serious needs not met
through other forms of disaster assistance or insurance (including personal property, medical,
dental and funeral). https://www.benefits.gov/benefits/benefit-details/816
National Geospatial Program: The National Map, USGS: Provides leadership for USGS
geospatial coordination, production and service activities. https://www2.usgs.gov/ngpo/
Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Grant Program, FEMA: Helps local and state jurisdictions, U.S.
territories and federally recognized tribes implement a sustained pre-disaster natural hazard
mitigation program to reduce overall risk to the population and structures from future hazards
37
These programs, resources and tools may be available to a jurisdiction if they have had a disaster.
Federal Emergency Management Agency 66
while reducing reliance on Federal funding in future disasters. Awards planning and project
grants and provides opportunities for raising public awareness about reducing future losses before
disaster strikes.
http://www.fema.gov/pre-disaster-mitigation-grant-program
Recovery Funding and Technical Assistance Summary, FEMA: An overview of Community
Planning and Capacity Building Recovery Support Function support and further resources for
local governments to effectively and efficiently enact recovery management in a post-disaster
environment.
https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1466705670641-
82c846c9cfe2db88a70bf2475d5785bf/RSF_CPCB_41416.pdf
State and National Grants, Corporation for National and Community Service (AmeriCorps):
Focuses on economic opportunity, education, veterans and military families, disaster services,
healthy futures, environmental stewardship and capacity building.
https://www.nationalservice.gov/build-your-capacity/grants/funding-opportunities
Technical Assistance, USDA NRCS: Helps private landowners, conservation districts, federally
recognized tribes and other organizations address opportunities, concerns and problems related to
the use of natural resources and helps land users make sound natural resource management
decisions. Assistance can be resource assessment, practice design, resource monitoring or follow-
up of installed practices.
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/technical/
Historic Preservation Concerns
American Battlefield Protection, NPS: Preserves significant historic battlefields associated with
wars on American soil, with subprograms dedicated to the Revolutionary War, War of 1812 and
the Civil War. https://www.nps.gov/orgs/2287/index.htm
Historic Preservation Fund Grants, NPS: Provides annually appropriated funding to tribal
historic preservation offices to protect and conserve important tribal cultural and historic assets
and sites. https://www.nps.gov/preservation-grants/index.html
National Center for Preservation Technology and Training, NPS: Helps preservationists find
better tools, materials and approaches to conserve buildings, landscapes, sites and collections.
Conducts research and testing, provides cutting-edge training around the U.S. and supports
research and training projects at universities and nonprofits. http://www.ncptt.nps.gov/
National Heritage Area Federal Financial Assistance, NPS: Preserves and interprets the unique
and significant contributions to our national heritage of historic and cultural lands, waterways and
structures. Encourages a broad range of economic opportunities enhancing the quality of life
within the designated area. Provides a management framework to assist state/local government
entities, nonprofits and others in developing policies and programs that will preserve, enhance
and interpret the cultural, historical, natural, recreation and scenic resources of the heritage area.
https://www.federalgrantswire.com/national-heritage-area-federal-financial-
assistance.html#.W3cM6-hKiUk
NEH Grants, National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH): Grants to cultural institutions,
such as museums, archives, libraries, colleges, universities, public television and radio stations,
and to individual scholars. http://www.neh.gov/grants/grants.html
Federal Emergency Management Agency 67
Preservation Assistance Grants for Smaller Institutions, NEH: Helps small and mid-sized
institutions (libraries, museums, historical societies, archival repositories, cultural organizations,
records offices and colleges and universities) preserve and care for their significant humanities
collections.
http://www.neh.gov/grants/preservation/preservation-assistance-grants-smaller-
institutions
Preservation General Information, National Archives and Records Administration: General
information for institutions and agencies responding to emergencies.
https://www.archives.gov/preservation/disaster-response/general.html
State, Tribal and Local Plans and Grants, NPS: Provides assistance through programs that
preserve America’s historic places and diverse history. http://www.nps.gov/orgs/1623/index.htm
Technical Preservation Services, Historic Surplus Property Program, NPS: Develops historic
preservation standards and guidance on preserving and rehabilitating historic buildings;
administers the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives Program for rehabilitating historic
buildings; and sets the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic
Properties. https://www.nps.gov/tps/
Unified Federal Environmental and Historic Preservation Review for Presidentially Declared
Disasters, FEMA: Information relevant to EHP reviews for disaster recovery projects.
https://www.fema.gov/unified-federal-environmental-and-historic-preservation-review-
presidentially-declared-disasters
Housing Concerns
Approved Nonprofits Program, Federal Housing Authority (FHA): Partners with
HUD-approved nonprofit organizations and governmental entities to ensure that financing is
available to provide housing opportunities to low- to moderate-income families.
http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/housing/sfh/np
Capacity Building for Community Development and Affordable Housing Grants, Department
of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): Provides funding to national intermediaries to
carry out community development and affordable housing activities that benefit low-income
families. http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/hudprograms/capacitybuilding
Community Compass, HUD: Funds technical assistance, capacity building, and data research
activities for HUD’s customers, including recipients, public housing authorities and federally
recognized tribes. Helps HUD’s customers navigate complex housing and community
development challenges and provides the knowledge, skills, tools, capacity and systems to
implement HUD programs and policies successfully. Provides effective technical assistance and
capacity building for successful program implementation over the long term.
https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/comm_planning
CDBG-DR Toolkits, HUD: Provides tools and resources to help recipients identify and prioritize
critical unmet needs for long-term community recovery.
https://www.hudexchange.info/resource/2853/cdbg-dr-toolkits
Disaster Recovery Toolkit, HUD Office of Policy Development and Research: A list of
relevant resources, reports, guides and ordinances to aid homeowners and property owners in the
disaster recovery process. https://www.huduser.gov/portal/sandy.html
Federal Emergency Management Agency 68
Good Neighbor Next Door Sales Program, FHA: Enables law enforcement officers,
pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade teachers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians to
contribute to community revitalization while becoming homeowners. HUD offers a substantial
incentive (a discount of 50 percent from the list price of the home) in return for a commitment to
live in the property for 36 months as their sole residence.
https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/housing/sfh/reo/goodn/gnndabot
HMGP – Individual, FEMA: Helps individuals and local communities recover from disasters
through mitigation projects. Among other requirements, the area must have received a
Presidential Major Disaster Declaration, the community must have an approved hazard mitigation
plan and the community must be a participant in good standing in the NFIP. A cost-share
requirement applies; FEMA generally pays up to 75 percent of the cost, and the individual
typically is responsible for the other 25 percent.
https://www.fema.gov/understanding-hazard-
mitigation-grant-program-individual
HOME Investment Partnerships Program, HUD: Provides formula grants to locals and states
for use by communities, often in partnership with local nonprofit groups, to fund a wide range of
activities including building, buying and/or rehabilitating affordable housing for rent or
homeownership or providing direct rental assistance to low-income people.
https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/comm_planning/affordablehousing/programs/home
Hope VI Main Street Program, HUD Office of Public and Indian Housing: Rejuvenates older,
downtown business districts while retaining a traditional, historic character. Funds new affordable
housing or converting obsolete or surplus commercial space (or substandard, vacant housing) into
affordable housing units. http://www.hud.gov/mainstreet
Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8), HUD: The Federal Government’s major
program for assisting very-low-income families, the elderly and the disabled to afford decent,
safe and sanitary housing in the private market.
https://www.hud.gov/topics/housing_choice_voucher_program_section_8
IHP – Housing Assistance, DHS: Grants to repair or replace damaged primary residences and
temporary housing assistance (including rental assistance).
https://www.benefits.gov/benefits/benefit-details/813
Mortgage Insurance for Disaster Victims 203(h) and 203(k) Rehabilitation Mortgage
Insurance, HUD: Allows the FHA to insure mortgages made by qualified lenders to victims of a
major disaster who lost their homes and are rebuilding or buying another home.
http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/housing/sfh/ins/203h-dft
Public Housing Program, HUD: Provides decent and safe rental housing for eligible low-income
families, the elderly and persons with disabilities.
http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/topics/rental_assistance/phprog
Rural Housing Service, USDA Rural Development (RD): Technical assistance loans and
grants, in partnership with nonprofit organizations, to build or improve housing and essential
community facilities in eligible rural areas.
http://www.rd.usda.gov/about-rd/agencies/rural-
housing-service
Sustainable Communities Initiative (SCI) Resource Library, HUD: Tools, reports, fact sheets
and case studies developed by SCI recipients, HUD and its capacity building partners.
https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/sci/resources
Federal Emergency Management Agency 69
Park Concerns
Federal Lands to Parks Program, NPS: Helps communities create new parks and recreation
areas by transferring surplus Federal land to state and local governments.
http://www.nps.gov/ncrc/programs/flp/index.htm
National Urban and Community Forestry Program, Forest Service: Provides information, tools
and financial resources. In the event of a natural disaster, the funds may be used to minimize
hazard situations related to damaged community trees.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-
land/urban-forests/ucf
Urban Park & Recreation Recovery, NPS: Provides Federal grants to local governments to
rehabilitate recreation areas and facilities; demonstrate innovative approaches to improve park
system management and recreation opportunities; and develop improved recreation planning.
https://www.federalgrantswire.com/urban-park-and-recreation-recovery-program.html#.W3cRh-
hKiUk
Public Health and Wellbeing Concerns
Applying for Grants, Administration for Community Living (ACL): Provides funding to local
and state governments, community organizations, colleges and universities and other
organizations who conduct research or provide services and supports for older adults and people
with disabilities. https://acl.gov/grants/applying-grants
Community Relations Service, Department of Justice: Helps communities address conflicts and
tensions arising from differences of race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual
orientation, religion and disability. The Community Relations Service is not an investigatory or
prosecutorial agency and has no law enforcement authority. http://www.justice.gov/crs
Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), HHS ACF: Provides funding to lessen the causes
and conditions of poverty in communities. http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/programs/csbg
Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program, Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration (SAMHSA): Helps individuals and communities recover from natural
and human-caused disasters through community outreach and access to mental health services.
https://www.samhsa.gov/dtac/ccp
Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program Toolkit, SAMHSA: Includes guides and
training materials to help states, territories and tribes apply for and establish crisis counseling
assistance and training programs. https://www.samhsa.gov/dtac/ccp-toolkit
Disaster Behavioral Health Resources, SAMHSA: Helps state, local, tribal and territorial
providers plan for and respond to behavioral health needs after a disaster.
https://www.samhsa.gov/dtac/disaster-behavioral-health-resources
Disaster Distress Helpline, SAMHSA: Provides crisis counseling and support to people
experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.
http://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline
Federal Emergency Management Agency 70
Disaster Legal Services (DLS) Program, American Bar Association: Immediate temporary
legal assistance to disaster survivors at no charge.
https://www.americanbar.org/groups/young_lawyers/disaster_legal_services.html
Disaster Planning Handbook for Behavioral Health Treatment Programs, SAMHSA: Provides
guidance for developing or improving the behavioral health treatment program’s disaster plan.
https://store.samhsa.gov/product/TAP-34-Disaster-Planning-Handbook-for-Behavioral-Health-
Treatment-Programs/SMA13-4779
Disaster Resources for Older Adults and People with Disabilities, ACL: A variety of programs
that assist with health and wellness, protect rights and prevent abuse, support consumer control,
strengthen the networks of community-based organizations and fund research.
http://www.acl.gov/Programs/Index.aspx
Health Profession Opportunity Grants, HHS ACF: Provides education and training on
temporary assistance for needy family recipients and other low-income individuals for
occupations in the healthcare field that are expected to either experience labor shortages or be in
high demand. https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ofa/programs/hpog
Health Program for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Public Health Service: Protects
communities from harmful health effects from exposure to natural and man-made hazardous
substances by responding to environmental health emergencies; investigating emerging
environmental health threats; conducting research on the health impacts of hazardous waste sites;
and building capabilities of and providing actionable guidance to state and local health partners.
https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov
Rural Community Programs, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA):
Provides program funding to increase access to care in rural communities and to address their
unique healthcare challenges. http://www.hrsa.gov/ruralhealth/community/index.html
School-Based Health Centers, HRSA: Provides funding to school-based health centers for a full
range of age-appropriate healthcare services based on community needs and resources as
determined through collaboration between the community, school district and healthcare
providers. https://www.hrsa.gov/our-stories/school-health-centers/index.html
Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program, HRSA: Helps small rural hospitals (49 beds or
fewer) do any or all of the following: 1) Purchase equipment and/or training to help attain the
value-based purchasing provision in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA); 2)
Join or become accountable care organizations or create shared savings programs per the ACA;
and 3) Purchase health information technology, equipment and/or training to comply with
meaningful use, International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, standards and payment
bundling. https://www.hrsa.gov/grants/find-funding/hrsa-19-020
Social and Economic Development Strategies, HHS ACF, Administration for Native
Americans: Promotes social and economic self-sufficiency through financial assistance to locally
determined projects that reduce or eliminate community problems and achieve community goals.
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ana/programs/seds
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, HHS ACF, Office of Family Assistance: Helps
needy families achieve self-sufficiency through the use of block grants.
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/programs/tanf
Federal Emergency Management Agency 71
Rural Land and Agricultural Concerns
Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program, USDA RD: Provides affordable funding
to develop essential community facilities such as healthcare facilities, public facilities,
community support services, public safety services, educational services, utility services and local
food systems in designated rural areas.
http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/community-
facilities-direct-loan-grant-program
Disaster Assistance Program, USDA: Provides a variety of programs and services to help
communities, farmers, ranchers and small businesses affected by natural disasters.
https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/disaster-assistance-program/index
Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Food and Nutrition Service, USDA:
Provides short-term food assistance benefits to families suffering in the aftermath of a disaster.
https://www.fns.usda.gov/disaster/disaster-d-snap
Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants Program, USDA RD: Helps eligible
communities prepare, or recover from, an emergency that threatens the availability of safe,
reliable drinking water. Eligible communities include most state and local government entities,
nonprofit organizations and federally recognized tribes.
http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-
services/emergency-community-water-assistance-grants
Intermediary Relending Program, USDA RD: Provides one-percent low-interest loans to local
intermediaries that re-lend to businesses to improve economic conditions and create jobs in
eligible rural communities.
https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/intermediary-relending-
program
Programs & Services for Communities & Nonprofits, USDA RD: A database of more than 50
financial assistance programs for a variety of rural applications.
http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/programs-services-communities-nonprofits
Rural Business Development Grants, USDA RD: Targeted technical assistance, training and
other activities leading to the development or expansion of small and emerging private businesses
in eligible rural areas.
https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-business-development-
grants
Rural Community Development Initiative Grants, USDA RD: Helps nonprofit housing and
community development organizations, low-income rural communities and federally recognized
tribes support housing, community facilities and community and economic development projects
in eligible rural areas. Applications are accepted on an annual basis.
https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-community-development-initiative-grants
Rural Community Development Program, HHS ACF: Works with regional and federally
recognized tribal organizations to manage safe water systems in rural communities.
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/programs/rcd
Federal Emergency Management Agency 72
Small Business Concerns
Disaster Loan Factsheets, SBA: Information related to homeowners and renters, businesses of all
sizes, military economic injury loans, homeowner association unit owners, and associations.
https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance
Disaster Loan Information, SBA: Provides low-interest disaster loans to businesses of all sizes,
private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters to repair or replace the following items
damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster: real estate, personal property, machinery and
equipment and inventory and business assets.
https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-
assistance
Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Quick Guides, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation:
Provides both local chambers of commerce and local businesses with tips and resources on
responding to and recovering from a disaster. https://www.uschamberfoundation.org/quick-guides
Types of Disaster Loans, SBA: Low-interest, long-term loans for physical and economic damage
caused by a declared disaster, including for home and personal property, business physical
disaster loans, economic injury disaster loans and military reservists economic injury loans.
https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance
Transportation Concerns
A Guide to Regional Transportation Planning for Disaster, Emergencies and Significant
Events, DOT: Uses planning principles, case studies, tips and tools to help implement
transportation planning for possible multijurisdictional disasters, emergencies and other major
events. http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/nchrp/nchrp_rpt_777.pdf
Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Transportation Discretionary
Grant, DOT: Investments in road, rail, transit and port projects that promise to achieve national
objectives. Formerly the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER)
Discretionary Grants. https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/Freight/infrastructure/tiger/
Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities, Federal Transit
Administration (FTA): Provides formula funding to states to help private nonprofit groups meet
the transportation needs of older adults and people with disabilities when the transportation
service provided is unavailable, insufficient or inappropriate.
https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grants/enhanced-mobility-seniors-individuals-disabilities-
section-5310
Formula Grants for Rural Areas, FTA: Provides capital, planning and operating assistance to
states to support public transportation in rural areas with populations of less than 50,000 where
many residents often rely on public transit to reach their destinations.
https://www.transit.dot.gov/rural-formula-grants-5311
Grant Programs, FTA: Grants to local public transit systems, including buses, subways, light
rail, commuter rail, trolleys and ferries. https://www.transit.dot.gov/grants/13070.html
MAP-21 – Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century, Federal Highway Administration
(FHWA): Provides needed funds and transforms the policy and programmatic framework for
Federal Emergency Management Agency 73
investments to grow and develop the country’s vital transportation infrastructure.
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/map21/factsheets/mp.cfm
Public Transportation Emergency Relief Program, FTA: Helps states and public transportation
systems protect, repair and/or replace equipment and facilities that may suffer or have suffered
serious damage as a result of an emergency, including natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes
and tornadoes.
https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grants/grant-programs/public-transportation-
emergency-relief-program-5324
Recreational Trails Program, FTA: Provides funds to states to develop and maintain recreational
trails and trail-related facilities for motorized and nonmotorized recreational trail uses.
https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/ENVIRonment/recreational_trails/overview/
State of Good Repair, FTA: Distributed to state and local governments in urbanized areas to
repair and upgrade rail and bus rapid transit systems that are at least seven years old.
https://www.transit.dot.gov/regulations-and-guidance/asset-management/state-good-repair
Urbanized Area Formula Grants, FTA: Makes Federal resources available to urbanized areas
and to governors for transit capital and operating assistance in urbanized areas and for
transportation-related planning.
https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grants/urbanized-area-
formula-grants-5307
Veteran Concerns
Burials and Memorials – Headstones, Markers and Medallions for Placement in Private
Cemeteries, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): Furnishes upon request, at no charge to
the applicant, a Government headstone or marker for the unmarked grave of any deceased eligible
veteran in any cemetery around the world, regardless of their date of death.
http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/hmm/index.asp
Burial Benefits – Partial Reimbursement of Expenses, VA: A monetary benefit generally paid at
the maximum amount authorized by law for an eligible veteran’s burial and funeral costs. VA
may grant additional benefits for plot, interment and/or transportation expenses.
https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/veterans-burial-allowance/
Burial Benefits – Presidential Memorial Certificates, VA: Prepares the certificates which bear the
current President’s signature expressing the country’s grateful recognition of the veteran’s service
in the United States Armed Forces. https://www.cem.va.gov/pmc.asp
Burial Benefits – Veteran and Dependent Burial in VA National Cemeteries, VA: Honors
veterans and their families with final resting places and lasting memorials that commemorate
their service to our Nation. http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/burial_benefits/
Housing Grants for Disabled Veterans, VA: Helps veterans with certain service-connected
disabilities adapt or purchase a home to accommodate the disability.
http://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/adaptedhousing.asp
Inquiry Routing and Information System (IRIS), VA: A web-based inquiry tool for veterans to
find out about VA benefits claims, as well as general information about the VA and any of its
other benefits programs. https://iris.custhelp.com/
Federal Emergency Management Agency 74
Loan Management, VA: Provides a home loan guaranty benefit and other housing-related
programs to help veterans buy, build, repair, retain or adapt a home for personal occupancy.
http://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/
My HealtheVet Website, VA: Tips and tools to help veterans partner with a healthcare team to
work together to manage personal health. https://www.myhealth.va.gov/index.html
Native American Veterans Housing Loan Program, VA: Direct home loans to eligible Native
American veterans to finance the purchase, construction or improvement of homes on Federal
Trust Land or to refinance a prior Native American Veteran Direct Loan (NADL) to reduce the
interest rate. https://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/nadl.asp
Water and Wastewater Concerns
Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Provides
communities a permanent, independent source of low-cost financing for a wide range of water
quality infrastructure projects. http://water.epa.gov/grants_funding/cwsrf/cwsrf_index.cfm
Federal Funding for Water and Wastewater Utilities in National Disasters, EPA: Information
for water and wastewater utilities about Federal funding programs for mitigation and recovery
from disasters. https://www.epa.gov/fedfunds
Urban Waters Small Grants, EPA: Helps protect and restore urban waters, improve water
quality and support community revitalization and other local priorities.
http://www2.epa.gov/urbanwaters/urban-waters-small-grants
Water Pollution Control (Section 106) Grants, EPA: Helps states (including territories and the
District of Columbia), interstate agencies and eligible tribes establish and implement ongoing
water pollution control programs. http://water.epa.gov/grants_funding/cwf/pollutioncontrol.cfm
Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program, USDA Rural Development (RD): Funds
clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal
and stormwater drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas.
http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/water-waste-disposal-loan-grant-program
Watershed Concerns
Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program – Floodplain Easement (FPE) Option,
USDA NRCS: An alternative method to landowners and others where acquiring an easement is
the best approach to minimize threats to life and/or property.
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/programs/landscape/ewpp/?cid=nrcs14
3_008216
Small Watershed Program, USDA NRCS: Helps local organizations conduct surveys and
investigations and plan and install structural and land treatment measures for watershed
protection and flood prevention.
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/ca/programs/planning/?cid=nrcs144p2_064043
Federal Emergency Management Agency 75
Watershed Surveys and Planning, USDA NRCS: Helps local, state, Federal and federally
recognized tribal governments protect watersheds from damage caused by erosion, floodwater
and sediment and conserve and develop water and land resources.
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/landscape/wsp/
Federal Emergency Management Agency 76
Appendix D: Legal Considerations for
Disaster Financial Management
Many laws and regulations directly affect disaster response or recovery programs. This appendix provides
an introductory review of laws and regulations that may impact disaster financial management and
potentially impact audits but are not specific fiscal laws. Elected leaders, managers legally responsible for
response and recovery actions and emergency and recovery managers should be familiar with these laws
and regulations and seek legal counsel as needed.
While this appendix presents some key Federal laws and regulations relevant to disaster response and
recovery programs, jurisdictions should also review and become knowledgeable of their individual
jurisdiction laws, ordinances and regulations.
Federal Primary Regulations and Authorities
Title 2, Part 200 of the CFR
Title 2 CFR Part 200 supersedes Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circulars A-21, A-87, A-89,
A-102, A-110, A-122, A-133 and parts of A-50 related to single audits, as well as 44 CFR Part 13. The
updated uniform administrative requirements and cost principles in 2 CFR Part 200 apply to awards
issued or declarations made on or after December 26, 2014. The single audit requirements in Subpart F of
2 CFR Part 200 apply to audits of fiscal years beginning on or after December 26, 2014.
https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-
idx?SID=b976663fee9241e7d59d4c0036c464cc&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5
The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance
Act (Stafford Act)
The Stafford Act (Public Law 93-288, as amended, codified at 42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) states that
governors from the states and U.S. territories are eligible to request a presidential declaration of a major
disaster and receive Federal assistance. The President of the United States may declare two types of
disaster declarations: emergency declarations and major declarations. The majority of disaster recovery
program activations depend on a presidential declaration.
The Disaster Recovery Reform Act (DRRA) of 2018
The DRRA amends the Stafford Act to allow greater flexibility in financial management for disaster
recovery. The Act specifically allows hazard mitigation assistance in areas affected by wildfire, as well as
waiving certain Stafford Act provisions on alternate projects and duplication of benefits. Previously,
hazard mitigation funds were not directly connected to wildfire events.
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The Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013
The Sandy Recovery Improvement Act amends the Stafford Act with significant changes to how FEMA
may deliver Federal disaster assistance. Among other key changes, this act authorizes federally
recognized tribal governments to request a declaration of an emergency or major disaster without a state’s
primacy request.
Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006
The Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 clarifies and modifies the organizational
structure, authorities and responsibilities of FEMA.
Homeland Security Act of 2002
The Homeland Security Act of 2002 created the Department of Homeland Security with a mandate of
preventing and responding to natural and man-made disasters.
Title 44 of the CFR
Title 44 pertains to Federal agencies’ rules and regulations for emergency management and specifically
contains rules for implementing the Stafford Act.
Additional Regulations and Authorities
All grant projects require the following regulations. Failure to comply with the following laws and
regulations in the production of grant-funded projects may lead to audits, deobligation of funding and/or
other legal repercussions.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended
Grant-funded projects should include specific considerations for serving all members of the community,
including individuals with disabilities, to meet the ADA as amended and locally adopted 508 compliance
measures.
Davis-Bacon Act (DBA) and Related Acts
The DBA, as amended, requires employers to pay the “prevailing wage,” as determined by the Wage and
Hour Division of the DOL, for construction projects using specific types of Federal funds. Subcontractors
not using DBA wages when required may result in financial audit findings for the grant recipient. The
President may also waive DBA requirements during disasters.
Federal Emergency Management Agency 78
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
The FLSA, as amended, establishes minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping and youth employment
standards. Grant project work must meet FLSA requirements.
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
Public assistance funds used to implement grant projects must meet the requirements of NEPA, as
amended, to protect and enhance the environment and the President’s Council of Environmental
Quality regulations.
National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966
The NHPA, as amended, protects historic and archeological sites within the United States of America and
affects grant projects that may impact historic or archeological sites.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, is a Federal law that protects persons from
discrimination on the basis of disability in programs and activities receiving Federal financial assistance.
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a Federal law that protects persons from discrimination on the
basis on race, color or national origin (including language) in programs and activities receiving Federal
financial assistance. Title VI requires recipients to provide access to their programs and activities,
including disaster-related programs and activities, on a nondiscrimination basis. Title VI also requires
recipients to take reasonable steps to ensure that persons with limited English proficiency have
meaningful access to their programs and services.
