Accessibility Information

Users of assistive technologies such as screen readers should use the following link to activate Accessibility Mode before continuing: Learn more and Activate accessibility mode.

Federal Disaster Assistance to Individuals and Households in Presidential Declared Disaster Areas

IHP
Number: 97.048
Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Program Information 

Program Number/Title (010):
97.048 Federal Disaster Assistance to Individuals and Households in Presidential Declared Disaster Areas
Popular Name (020):
IHP
Federal Agency (030):
Department of Homeland Security
Authorization (040):
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, as amended , Public Law 106-390.
Objectives (050):
To provide financial assistance to individuals and households affected as a direct result of a Presidentially declared major disaster or emergency, who have uninsured or under-insured, necessary expenses and serious needs and are unable to meet such expenses or needs through other means. This program supports disaster recovery by providing the financial means to disaster survivors to secure adequate interim and long-term housing in addition to other necessary expenses and serious needs.
Types of Assistance (060):
Direct Payments for Specified Use; PROJECT GRANTS
Uses and Use Restrictions (070):
Restricted to Presidential-declared disasters or emergencies, such as an earthquake, hurricane, tornado, wildfire, or flood, etc. Program activates only after issuance of a presidential declaration. Housing Assistance, either Financial or Direct, may be provided for the following: (1) Temporary Housing, (2) Home Repair, (3) Home Replacement and (4) Permanent Housing Construction. Assistance not used for the specified purpose will be required to be returned. Other Needs Assistance may be provided for: (1) Medical, (2) Dental, (3) Funeral, (4) Personal Property, (5) Transportation, and (6) Other Miscellaneous Expenses. Assistance not used for the specified purpose will be required to be returned. If the State is providing for other needs under Section 408(f) of the Stafford Act, please refer to CFDA 97.050.
Eligibility Requirements (080)
Applicant Eligibility (081):
Individuals and households, in areas declared an emergency or major disaster by the President, whose primary residence has been damaged or destroyed and whose losses are not covered by insurance, are eligible to apply for this program. All needs must be caused by the disaster. The individual or a member of the household must be a citizen of the United States, a non-citizen national, or a qualified alien. Housing Assistance: 1) Temporary Housing Assistance - proof of primary residence; disaster caused displacement, and/or paid receipts for Rent or Lodging Expenses; 2) Repair - primary residence, proof of residency and ownership; disaster related home damage; 3) Replacement - primary residence, proof of residency and ownership; home destroyed by the disaster; 4) Permanent Housing Construction - primary residence, proof of residency and ownership; disaster related home damage, home is located in an insular area outside the continental United States or in other remote locations. Alternative housing resources are unavailable, infeasible, or not cost-effective. Other Needs Assistance: 1)Medical-disaster caused expenses, and/or paid receipts (bills) for medical treatment; 2) Dental-disaster caused expenses, and/or paid receipts (bills) for treatment; 3) Funeral - disaster caused expenses, and/or paid receipts (bills) for services; 4) Personal Property proof of ownership; disaster related personal property damage; 5)Transportation, proof of ownership; vehicle complies with State laws, disaster caused vehicle damage; 6) Other Necessary Expenses and Serious Needs Identified, the expense or need must be caused by the disaster and approved by FEMA.
Beneficiary Eligibility (082):
Individual/Family; Homeowner (located within an area which has been designated as a disaster area, by Presidential declaration).
Credentials/Documentation (083):
FEMA Disaster Assistance Regulations at 44 CFR Part 206.110-120. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.
Application and Award Process (090)
Preapplication Coordination (091):
Based on damage assessments and an agreement to commit state funds and resources to the long-term recovery, the State Governor makes a request (through the FEMA regional Director) for a Presidential Declaration for an emergency or major disaster. Requests for assistance must be made by the Governor in accordance with FEMA Disaster Assistance Regulations, 44 CFR 206, except as provided in Part 206.24(d) for emergency declarations involving primarily Federal responsibility. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.
Application Procedures (092):
OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. Based on damage assessments and an agreement to commit state funds and resources to the long-term recovery, the State Governor makes a request (through the FEMA regional Director) for a Presidential Declaration for an emergency or major disaster. Requests for assistance must be made by the Governor in accordance with FEMA Disaster Assistance Regulations, 44 CFR 206, except as provided in Part 206.24(d) for emergency declarations involving primarily Federal responsibility. Environmental impact information is not required for this program.
Award Procedure (093):
A Presidential Disaster or Emergency Declaration must be issued, before individuals and households can register an application for assistance with FEMA via a toll-free number or FEMA's Internet Application or by visiting a Disaster Recovery Center. Assistance for real property damages will not be awarded to individuals residing outside of the area declared as a disaster. Funds are allocated from the President's Disaster Relief Fund for use in a designated emergency or major disaster. Households receive assistance directly from FEMA or through disaster aid programs of other participating federal or state agencies.
Deadlines (094):
Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time (095):
Varies, in general 7-21 days. Generally, individual and household applications for disaster assistance must be filed within 60 days of the disaster declaration.
Appeals (096):
Appeals of program decisions must be submitted in writing within 60 days of the date of the notification letter.
Renewals (097):
None.
Assistance Consideration (100)
Formula and Matching Requirements (101):
Statutory formulas are not applicable to this program.
Matching Requirements: Percent: 25.%. Housing - not applicable. Other Needs - FEMA or the State may administer the Other Needs Assistance Program. State provides 25 percent of the funds for the total number of grants disbursed for the designated disaster. Federal Government provides the remaining 75 percent of the costs for grant awards as well as the regulations, policies, and procedures that govern the program. States may also receive up to 5 percent of the Federal share of the program for administrative costs. The Governor may request a loan of the State's 25 percent share.
MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance (102):
Generally, one time grant assistance with a total assistance period not exceeding 18 months. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Payment based on Project need.
Post Assistance Requirements (110)
Reports (111):
No reports are required.
Audits (112):
This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-133. Refer to program guidance.
Records (113):
Internal program audits are conducted.
Financial Information (120)
Obligations (122):
(Project Grants) FY 11 $875,540,254; FY 12 est $266,089,709; and FY 13 Estimate Not Available
Range and Average of Financial Assistance (123):
FY 11: Award Range: $50 - $30,200; Average Award: $4,074
FY 12: Award Range: $50 - $31,400; Average Award: $2,982
FY 13: Estimate not available.
Program Accomplishments (130):
Fiscal Year 2011: FEMA provided financial assistance to198,849 individuals and households affected by disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, and flooding. Fiscal Year 2012: FEMA provided financial assistance to 74,710 individuals and households affected by disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, and flooding. Fiscal Year 2013: No Current Data Available.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature (140):
Federal Emergency Assistance Regulations, 44 CFR 206.110-120.
Information Contacts (150)
Regional or Local Office (151) :
See Regional Agency Offices. See Appendix IV of the Catalog for a listing of addresses for FEMA's Regional Offices.
Headquarters Office (152):
Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 500 C Street, SW, Sixth Floor, Washington, District of Columbia 20472-3100 Phone: (202) 212-1000
Website Address (153):
www.FEMA.gov.
Related Programs (160):
97.049 Presidential Declared Disaster Assistance - Disaster Housing Operations for Individuals and Households; 97.050 Presidential Declared Disaster Assistance to Individuals and Households - Other Needs
Examples of Funded Projects (170):
Not Applicable.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals (180):
Not Applicable.