Summary

The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) public assistance program funds the repair of public facilities, such as roads, government buildings, utilities, and hospitals, that are damaged by natural disasters. Under the program, FEMA spent more than $6.5 billion for disasters that occurred during fiscal years 1989-94. FEMA may make public assistance grants to state and local governments and nonprofit groups for three general activities: debris removal, emergency protective measures, and permanent restoration. GAO testified that clearer and more-comprehensive criteria for determining eligibility for public assistance would ensure that eligibility determinations were consistent and equitable. To the extent that the criteria were more restrictive, the cost of future public assistance could be reduced. In the 1990s, the potential adverse effects of a lack of clear criteria have become more significant because of (1) an increase in major disasters and (2) the need to use temporary workers with limited training to inspect damage and prepare damage survey reports.