Individual Assistance And Public Assistance Programs Serve Different Needs
Release Date: October 22, 2004
Release Number: 1539-225
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ORLANDO, Fla. -- The Individual Assistance (IA) and Public Assistance (PA) programs of the Federal Emergency Agency (FEMA) and State Emergency Response Team (SERT) are both in place to help Florida disaster victims but they take different paths to provide that aid.
Generally, IA aims to provide direct help to individuals, families and businesses, while PA provides monetary aid to state and local governments for damages to publicly-owned property and to certain essential private, non-profit entities.
Federal Coordinating Officer Bill Carwile said today, “Individual assistance is a vital program providing immediate and continuing help to people whose homes have been damaged or destroyed and who need quick government assistance to stabilize their lives and help return them to normalcy.”
“The path to recovery likewise includes fixing damaged roads and bridges, and repairing necessary public buildings and infrastructure,” said State Coordinating Officer Craig Fugate.
IA encompasses many services. They include money to repair homes or rent temporary housing, or even temporary disaster housing units such as mobile homes or travel trailers for those without suitable housing.Other Needs Assistance (ONA) includes personal property, medical, dental and funeral costs, and other items. Grants also are available for homeowners to repair disaster damages that are not covered by insurance.
Another form of IA is a low-interest loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). SBA provides the primary source of federal funding for the long-term recovery of homeowners, renters and businesses. Although an applicant may not want a loan, the completed application form must be returned to keep the door open for other types of assistance. The applicant is not obligated to take an SBA loan if approved, but if the loan is offered and refused, there is no referral to grant programs.
For the four recent Florida hurricanes, 90 percent of PA costs are paid by FEMA. State and local governments pay the remainder. The state of Florida administers the program.
The program pays for the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged public buildings and facilities, or those belonging to private, non-profit agencies that render a critical service to the community. Some examples are courthouses, libraries, parks, roads and bridges. Non-profit groups such as electric cooperatives and special districts may also be covered.
For information on SERT, go to www.floridadisaster.org; FEMA, go to www.fema.gov
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA’s continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Friday, 22-Oct-2004 12:06:28