Public Assistance Cost Share
Public Assistance Process
The U. S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Public Assistance programs are designed to support state and local authorities and certain nonprofit organizations so they can fund the repair, restoration, reconstruction, or replacement of a public facility or infrastructure, which is damaged or destroyed by a disaster.
The process of providing public assistance funding after a disaster is a partnership between the federal, state and local governments. By properly preparing, understanding, and participating in the disaster recovery programs state and local governments can maximize the benefit from federal assistance dollars and better manage the challenges of rebuilding.
Rebuilding public infrastructure after a disaster begins at the local level, where applicants (state or local authorities and certain nonprofit organizations) who best understand the needs of their communities, identify projects and submit requests for public assistance through the state and ultimately to FEMA.
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(The type of projects eligible for reimbursement through public assistance include debris removal, emergency protective measures, repairing road systems and bridges, water control facilities, repair and restoration of public buildings and contents, assistance to public utilities, as well as parks, recreational, and other. Examples of projects not covered by public assistance include the improvement of facilities beyond their pre-disaster condition or capacity, the repair of federal-aid roads eligible for assistance from FHWA, and the repair of roads owned and operated by property owners associations.)
Cost Share
FEMA determines final project eligibility and obligates the approved funds directly to the state, allowing the state to process the payment request and disburse the federal and state share of the funds to the applicant.
Usually there is a minimum federal share of 75 percent of eligible recovery costs for Public Assistance projects, and in situations of severe economic impact, the President may authorize FEMA to reimburse states 90 percent of eligible costs.
States may use the federal funds they receive from their Community Development Block Grants to pay the remaining percentage of their match to the Public Assistance cost share.
Cost Shares: 2005 Hurricane Season
The 2005 hurricane season, unlike any other disaster in history, resulted in many new requests from federal, state and local officials for Public Assistance funding. FEMA has interpreted the Stafford Act authorities in the broadest terms to help communities to recover in a timely and effective manner.
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The federal cost share in Louisiana as a result of the 2005 hurricane season has been adjusted to 100 percent for emergency work for 10 months for all declared parishes and for 16 months in 5 parishes. The amount of federal dollars obligated under declarations from Katrina and Rita for emergency work at this time is $2.80 billion. Emergency work includes debris removal, emergency sheltering, and overtime pay for emergency workers.
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The federal cost share for permanent work in Louisiana has been adjusted to 90 percent from 75 percent. Permanent work includes public assistance such as the repair and replacement of buildings and utilities, and other infrastructure restoration projects.
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FEMA has made available to Louisiana $4.57 billion for the federal share of project costs, administrative costs and state management costs from FEMA's Public Assistance program.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident, initiates mitigation activities and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA works closely with state and local emergency managers, law enforcement personnel, firefighters and other first responders. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Monday, 19-Mar-2007 15:38:33 EDT