Categories of Work

Public Assistance Category A supports the removal of disaster-related debris to eliminate immediate threats to lives, public health and safety, and improved property, and to ensure the economic recovery of the community. Examples of eligible projects include, but are not limited to: collection, haul, reduction (e.g., grinding/mulching), recycling, and disposal of eligible disaster debris (PAPPG, Chapter 8, § VIII.A).

Eligible Work Includes (Chapter 7 (eligibility), Chapter 8):

• Disaster-related debris in the declared area
• Applicant has legal responsibility for the work
• Debris removal from eligible public property (and other eligible locations as allowed by policy)
• Debris operations that are necessary and cost-effective (e.g., pickup, haul, reduction, disposal

Ineligible Work Includes (Chapter 8; Ch. 6):

• Removal of debris that is not disaster-generated
• Work on private property unless specifically authorized/approved and meeting eligibility requirements
• Increased level of service (e.g., work beyond eligible scope or unnecessary removal)
• Costs that cannot be tied to eligible debris quantities/locations

Required Documentation (Chapter 13 Documentation):

• Debris quantities and types (load tickets or equivalent documentation)
• Debris monitoring records and contractor invoices
• Debris management site records (reduction method, throughput, final disposition)
• Disposal documentation and permits (as applicable)

Special Rules (Chapter 8 § VIII.A):

FEMA evaluates debris work for reasonableness and cost-effectiveness

Strong “cradle-to-grave” documentation is essential (pickup → staging → reduction → disposal)

Public Assistance Category B funds emergency protective measures taken immediately to save lives, protect public health and safety, and prevent damage to improved public and private property. Examples of eligible projects include, but are not limited to: emergency access activities, sandbagging, emergency medical care, temporary facilities, security measures, and certain emergency debris clearance activities when necessary to address immediate threats (PAPPG, Chapter 8, § VIII.B).

Eligible Work Includes (Chapter 7 (eligibility), Chapter 8):

• Actions necessary to eliminate or lessen immediate threats
• Work in the declared area tied to the declared incident
• Applicant has legal responsibility
• Emergency access (“push”/clear to allow emergency vehicles through) when required to address immediate threats
• Temporary measures that are necessary to protect life/health/safety or prevent further damage

Ineligible Work Includes (Chapter 8; Ch. 6):

• Permanent repairs (these belong in Categories C–G)
• General readiness activities not tied to the incident
• Costs not necessary to address an immediate threat
• Full debris removal/haul-off when not required for immediate threat elimination (typically Category A)

Required Documentation (Chapter 13 Documentation):

• Records showing the threat and urgency (narratives, situation reports, work orders)
• Dates/times, locations, and description of protective actions taken
• Before and after photos (especially for access and hazard removal)
• Labor/equipment logs and cost documentation

Special Rules (Chapter 8 § VIII.B):

• Emergency work is not the same as permanent work. Scope and costs must be tracked separately.
• Contracting and procurement must follow federal requirements to remain eligible

Public Assistance Category C repairs and restores disaster-damaged roads and bridges back to pre-disaster design, capacity, and function. Examples of eligible projects include, but are not limited to: roads, streets, bridges, culverts, guardrails, signage, and traffice control devices (PAPPG, Chapter 8, § VIII.C.1).

Eligible Work Includes (Chapter 7 (eligibility), Chapter 8):

• Damage caused by the declared incident
• Located in the declared area
• Applicant has legal responsibility
• Facility was in active use and maintained

Ineligible Work Includes (Chapter 8 § VIII.B; Ch. 6): 

• Deferred maintenance (e.g. preexisting potholes, alligator cracks)
• Road widening or redesign
• Betterments without FEMA approval

Required Documentation (Chapter 13 Documentation):

• Damage measurements (LxWxD)
• Before and after photos
• Cost documentation

Special Rules (Chapter 8 § VIII.B.3):

• Emergency repairs is not the same as permanent repairs. These are separate costs
• FEMA funds the least-cost feasible option

Public Assistance Category D repairs and restores eligible water control facilities back to pre-disaster design, capacity, and function. Examples of eligible projects include, but are not limited to: levees, dams, floodwalls, drainage channels, and pump stations, and stormwater systems. (PAPPG, Chapter 8).

Eligiblity Requirements (Chapter 8, § VIII.D.2):

• Facility must be engineered and maintained.
• Applicant must prove pre-disaster capacity.

Ineligible Work Includes (Chapter 8 § VIII.D):

• Work on natural features that are not engineered facilities
• Increased capacity or improvements beyond pre-disaster design without FEMA approval
• Routine sediment removal

Required Documentation (Chapter 13 Documentation):

• Pre- and Post-Engineering reports
• Maintenance records
• Hydraulic capacity data

Permits and Compliance (Chapter 4 - EHP Compliance):

• Environmental and Historic Preservation compliance is required
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and state permits are often necessary

Public Assistance Category E repairs and restores eligible buildings, contents, and equipment back to pre-disaster design, capacity, and function. Examples of eligible projects include, but are not limited to: public buildings, furnishings, equipment, vehicles, and mechanical/electrical/plumbing systems (PAPPG, Chapter 8).

Key FEMA Rules:

• 50 percent rule (Chapter 8, § VIII.E.1): If the repair is greater than or equal to 50 percent of the replacement cost, the replacement cost is eligible.
• Contents and structure must be scope seperately (Chapter 8, § VIII.E.1).

Ineligible Work Includes (Chapter 6, Chapter 8):

• Deferred maintenance or pre-existing damage
• Space expansion, redesign, or improvements beyond pre-disaster condition without approval
• Aesthetic upgrades

Required Documentation (Chapter 13 Documentation):

• Ownership and maintenance records
• Damage photos by room or system
• Code enforcement documentation

Codes and Standards (Chapter 6, Codes and Standards):

• Codes and standards must be required, enforced, and applied uniformly

Public Assistance Category F repairs and restores essential utility services back to pre-disaster design, capacity, and function. Examples of eligible projects include, but are not limited to: power generation and distribution, water treatment and distribution, wastewater collection and treatment, communications, and natural gas systems (PAPPG, Chapter 8).

Eligiblity Requirements (Chapter 8, § VIII.F.1):

• Disaster-caused damage located in the declared area
• Must document system configuration pre-disaster

Ineligible Work Includes (Chapter 6, Chapter 8):

• System-wide upgrades or modernization not required to restore eligible damage
• Increased capacity beyond pre-disaster condition without FEMA approval
• Maintenance failures

Required Documentation (Chapter 13 Documentation):

• System maps/schematics and damage locations
• Repair logs, work orders, and before/after photos
• Cost documentation (materials, labor/equipment, contractor invoices)
• Mutual aid agreements and proof of work performed (if applicable)

Special Considerations (Chapter 7, Chapter 8):

• Temporary and permanent work must be tracked separately
• FEMA generally funds the least-cost feasible option to restore function

Public Assistance Category G repairs and restores eligible parks, recreational, and other public facilities back to pre-disaster design, capacity, and function that are not addressed in Categories C-F. Examples of eligible projects include, but are not limited to: parks, playgrounds, trails, beaches, boat ramps, and cemeteries (PAPPG, Chapter 8).

Eligiblity Requirements (Chapter 7, Chapter 8):

• Facility must serve a public function
• Applicant must have legal responsibility

Ineligible Work Includes (Chapter 6, Chapter 8):

• Landscaping improvements, beautification, or upgrades beyond pre-disaster condition
• Features with no functional damage
• Betterments without mitigation approval

Required Documentation (Chapter 13 Documentation):

• Strong before and after photos (often critical for Category G)
• Detailed damage descriptions and measurements
• Cost documentation (estimates, invoices, labor/equipment logs)
• Proof of public ownership/use and legal responsibility (as applicable)

High Risk Categories (Chapter 8 § VIII.G):

• Category G projects often face higher scrutiny—clear documentation of functional loss and disaster causation matters
• FEMA funds restoration to pre-disaster design/capacity/function unless an approved change applies
• Functional loss must be clearly documented

Public Assistance Category Z provides funding for eligible costs associated with managing and administering Public Assistance awards. These costs support grant management activities, not physical repair work. Examples include managing Public Assistance projects, financial tracking and reporting, procurement and compliance oversight, responding to FEMA RFIs, audits, and appeals (PAPPG, Chapter 9).

Eligible Costs Includes (Chapter 9, § IX.D):

• Grant and project management staff time
• Financial and procurement management
• Environment and Historic Preservation coordination
• Project formulation, review, and closeout
• Administrative support for appeals

Ineligible Work Includes (Chapter 6; Ch. 9):

• Construction/repair work 
• Labor already claimed in Categories A–G
• Standby or unrelated admin time
• Duplicate funding from another source

Documentation Tips (Chapter 13 Documentation):

• Keep job descriptions showing PA-related duties
• It is recommended to track time by disaster
• Retain records 5 years after closeout

Key Rules (Chapter 6, Chapter 9, 2 CFR Part 200):

• No duplication of benefits
• Costs must be reasonable and necessary
• Must be incurred during the PA Period of Performance