FEMA Educates Applicants about Project Worksheet Process 

Release Date: September 14, 2007
Release Number: 1603-714

» More Information on Louisiana Hurricane Katrina
» More Information on Louisiana Hurricane Rita

NEW ORLEANS, La. -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Louisiana Transitional Recovery Office is now offering a series of briefings to create a better understanding of the project worksheet process. "The Lifecycle of a Project Worksheet" is aimed at FEMA public assistance applicants, parish officials, congressional staffers, mayors, media representatives, government officials and related individuals.

The briefings help the different departments and groups within an applicant's organization better understand the grant process. The classes also emphasize that communication between all relevant parties is critical for the applicant to receive the maximum amount of available FEMA dollars.

Grants first take shape in the form of a project worksheet (PW) that begins with a FEMA project officer's recommendation.  A PW must go through a review process before it is approved. After FEMA approves the PW, the funds are obligated (transferred) to the state's Smart Link account. It is then the state's responsibility to disburse the funds to the applicant.

A large part of this grant pr ocess is providing the documentation required to satisfy state and FEMA regulations in order to qualify for a public assistance grant. Moreover, FEMA funding is only eligible to the extent where an applicant can provide documentation of eligible costs related to recovery efforts. Undocumented and unreasonable costs are not eligible for reimbursement.

"We believe the briefings have been very well received," FEMA's Louisiana Transitional Recovery Office director Jim Stark said. "They have been a worthwhile time investment for the attendees in explaining the intricacies of the project worksheet process."

FEMA will continue offering the briefings to all interested parties.

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror. 

Last Modified: Friday, 14-Sep-2007 12:49:14