Public Assistance Program:

Manages and provides funding to repair infrastructure, public facilities and debris removal after a disaster is declared. Coordinates all activities related to the recovery and distribution of funds to eligible applicants (municipalities, government agencies, public corporations and certain nonprofit organizations) in the area declared as a disaster area.

When the U.S. President declares state of emergency, FEMA determines the type of aid or assistance available. The GAR files a specific request to FEMA by municipalities, government agencies or public corporations to carry out a preliminary assessment of damages and estimates the amount of additional aid that will be needed. 

Individual Assistance Program:

Disaster assistance is money or direct assistance to individuals, families and businesses in an area where the property has been damaged or destroyed and losses are not covered by insurance. It is meant to help with critical expenses that cannot be covered in any other way. This assistance is not intended to restore the damaged property to its original condition before the disaster.

While some housing assistance funds are available through our Individual and Household Programs, most disaster assistance from the Federal government is in the form of loans administered by the Small Business Administration.

a- Disaster Assistance

Provides money or direct assistance to individuals, families and business in an area where the property has been damaged or destroyed and losses are not covered by insurance.

b- Crisis Counseling

Provides supplemental short term funding to States and for short-term crisis counseling services to people affected in Presidentially declared disasters. 

c- Disaster Legal Services

Provides free legal assistance to disaster victims.

d- Disaster Unemployment Assistance Program

Provides unemployment benefits and re-employment services to individuals who have become unemployed as a result of a major disaster.

e- National Flood Insurance Program

Enables property owners in participating communities to purchase insurance as a protection against flood losses in exchange for the implementation of State and community flood management regulations aimed at reducing future flood damages.

Mitigation Program:

Manages and provides funding for projects that seek to reduce the impact of natural disasters or man-made damage. Programs by Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) allow mitigation measures to be implemented before, during and after recovery from a disaster. These programs include:

a- Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)

Assists in the mitigation of long-term risks following a disaster declaration. The funds will be used for projects consistent with the priorities of the state and municipalities.

b- Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program (PDM)

Provides annual funding for mitigation plans and projects. These are for measures aimed at reducing or eliminating damages during a natural disaster.

c- Flood Mitigation Assistance Program (FMA)

Provides annual funding to reduce or eliminate the risks of flood damage to structures that are insured under the National Flood Insurance Program.

d- Repetitive Flood Claims Program (RFC)

Provides annual funding to reduce flood damage to property insured under the National Flood Insurance Program that have received one or more payments for flood damage. This program provides up to 100% of federal funds to eligible projects.

e- Severe Repetitive Losses (SRL)

Provides annual funding to reduce the risk of damage to residences insured under the National Flood Insurance Program and that qualify as a Severe Repetitive Loss Structure. This program provides up to 90% of federal funds to eligible projects.