Navigating Public Assistance

When a disaster strikes, your immediate concern will be your safety and the safety of those in your community. Once the immediate danger in rescue and response passes, you will lead or play a role in supporting your community through the recovery process. We are here to help.

Our series of presentations will provide information to help you understand all steps in the process, including how the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) determines applicant eligibility, what types of projects are eligible, the necessary documentation required for reimbursement, and more. We encourage you to review all videos in the series for a better understanding of the process.

Public Assistance Overview

FEMA’s Public Assistance Program provides supplemental grants to state, tribal, territorial, and local governments, and certain types of private non-profits so communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies.

After an event like a tornado or wildfire, communities need help to cover their costs for debris removal, life-saving emergency protective measures, and restoring public infrastructure.

Phase 1: Operational Planning and Application Coordination

There are seven phases to Public Assistance, starting with Operational Planning and Application Coordination. This is not your formal request for public assistance, but includes necessary forms and actions to get the process started.

Phase 2: Impacts and Eligibility

Phase 2 is where we will address your eligibility and categories of work. The four basic components of eligibility are applicant, facility, work, and cost. All four components must be deemed eligible to obtain FEMA funding.

There are three videos explaining Phase 2, with more information about the basic components of eligibility. Facility and work and combined in one video, as the requirements are the same.

Video 1 - Applicant
Video 2 - Facility / Work
Video 3 - Cost

Phase 3: Scoping and Costing

In Public Assistance, scoping and costing are critical steps in determining the scale and financial feasibility of providing services to individuals in need. Scoping refers to the process of defining the boundaries and costing involves estimating and planning the financial resources required.

Phase 4: Final Reviews

The final review of the project development process is an important step in Public Assistance. An important note: Funds obligated does not mean the process is complete.

Phase 5: Obligation and Contracting

In the Obligation and Contracting Phase, we share more information on the process for the approved project, award, and payment.

Following approval of a project, the lead changes to the State. TEMA Public Assistance Specialists will work with applicants on the post-award requirements.

Phase 6: Post-Award Monitoring and Amendments

If it appears a project is ineligible for funding, FEMA will ask the applicant if they would like to move forward with a withdrawal form for the project or receive a determination memo. This video will give a brief overview of the Appeal and Arbitration process.

Phase 7: Final Reconciliation and Closeout

The final phase of Public Assistance covers reconciliation and types of closures the applicant will experience when working through a disaster. When projects are completed, there are three closeout processes:

1 - Small Project Closeout
2 - Large Project Closeout
3 - Applicant Closeout