FEMA Public Assistance

In order for FEMA Public Assistance to be available, the request must go through the necessary steps. Public Assistance may become available if the President approves the state's request for a Major Disaster Declaration that includes Public Assistance for impacted counties. 

The PA Program provides reimbursement for two main categories of work:

Emergency Work

• Debris Removal: Clearing storm debris from roads, rights-of-way, and public property to protect health and safety.
• Emergency Protective Measures: Actions taken during or immediately after a disaster to save lives or prevent further damage (such as emergency operations, temporary protection, evacuation support).

Permanent Work

Repairing or restoring damaged public facilities and infrastructure, including:

• Roads and bridges
• Water and wastewater systems
• Public buildings and equipment
• Utilities and electrical systems
• Parks, recreation areas, and other public facilities
• Permanent work may include mitigation improvements to reduce future damage.

To better understand all of the Public Assistance Categories of Work, please visit our Categories of Work webpage.

Eligible applicants include:

• Local governments (cities, counties, towns, and other local jurisdictions)
• State agencies
• Public utilities and special districts
• Certain Private Nonprofit (PNP) organizations that deliver critical or essential government-like services

Applicants must meet FEMA eligibility requirements for the applicant, the facility, the work performed, and the associated costs. If you are an individual looking for disaster assistance, please find more information about FEMA's Individual Assistance program on our website.

Public Assistance is a cost-share program, meaning FEMA covers a portion of eligible project costs while the remaining portion must be matched by non-federal sources.

The standard cost share for most disasters is:

• 75% Federal (FEMA)
• 25% Applicant (local government, utility, or eligible nonprofit)

For local government applicants, the state may split the non-federal cost share and the state may pay 12.5% and the local government would be responsible for the remaining 12.5%. This split cost-share helps reduce the financial burden on local jurisdictions and allows communities to recover faster.

Cost-share adjustments may occur during severe or catastrophic disasters if authorized by FEMA.

While each disaster is unique, the PA Program generally follows these steps:

1. Applicant Briefing: Held within 30 days of a disaster declaration. This session provides applicants with an overview of the Public Assistance program, including eligibility requirements, deadlines, grant administration expectations, and next steps in the recovery process.
2. Request for Public Assistance (RPA): The RPA is FEMA’s formal application for becoming an eligible applicant. It must be submitted in FEMA’s Grants Portal within 30 days of the disaster declaration date.
   Please note: TEMA is able to submit an RPA on behalf of the applicant. If you need this assistance, please email TEMA.PA@tn.gov.
3. Applicant Impact Survey: Conducted within 1–2 weeks of RPA submission. This introductory call allows FEMA to gain an initial understanding of the applicant’s damages and to schedule the upcoming Recovery Scoping Meeting.
4. Recovery Scoping Meeting: Held within 14 days following the Exploratory Call. This in-depth meeting includes all stakeholders and serves as the foundational discussion for each project the applicant intends to pursue for funding.
5. Gather Project Data: A 60-day period beginning after the Recovery Scoping Meeting. During this time, the applicant identifies all damages, compiles documentation, and prepares the necessary information for project formulation.
6. Applicant Review: An opportunity for the applicant to review all reported damages and supporting documentation before the project is submitted to FEMA for development.
7. Project Development: All collected information is used to define the project’s scope of work, estimated costs, and any special considerations (such as environmental or historic preservation requirements).
8. Final Review: A final opportunity for both the applicant and the recipient to review the completed project before it is submitted for approval.
9. Award: Once approved, the award package is provided to the applicant by the assigned Public Assistance Specialist.