Public Assistance Pilot Program Will End December 31 

State and Local Governments Should Get Info to FEMA Now

Release Date: December 1, 2008
Release Number: 1795-049

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INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- The FEMA Public Assistance (PA) Pilot Program that temporarily waived certain regulations and allowed state and local governments to seek extra reimbursement for debris removal following a disaster will end on New Year's Eve. 

PA differs from FEMA's Individual Assistance (IA) program in that it allows State and local government agencies, along with certain private nonprofit organizations, to seek reimbursement for eligible disaster related costs. This could include, among other things, emergency protective measures, debris removal or damage to infrastructure like government buildings, roads and bridges.

The PA Pilot Program started in 2007, allows eligible Public Assistance applicants (state and local governments and certain private nonprofits) to seek reimbursement for both overtime and non-overtime labor costs related to removal of disaster debris. After December 31, standard Public Assistance regulations and policies will again be in affect and applicants will no longer be eligible to get compensated for non-overtime costs in removing disaster related debris.

"Applicants need to get the necessary information to FEMA as soon as possible," said Regis Phelan, FEMA federal coordinating officer for Indiana recovery operations. "The Public Assistance process takes time and this money has to be obligated by December 31."

Obligation is the process where FEMA makes federal funds for a specific project available to the State for applicant reimbursement. This can only occur once the necessary information has been received and approved. By law, any applications that have not had funds obligated before the deadline will not be under the Pilot Program's reimbursement guidelines.

Indiana applicants with questions regarding this program should contact FEMA Public Assistance at 317-570-3000.

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: Tuesday, 02-Dec-2008 08:58:48