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Federal Disaster Assistance Response and Recovery Programs: Brief Summaries

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Order Code RL31734 CRS Report for Congress Received through the CRS Web Federal Disaster Recovery Programs: Brief Summaries Updated August 29, 2005September 20, 2006 Mary Jordan Information Research Specialist Knowledge Services Group Congressional Research Service {˜ The Library of Congress Federal Disaster Recovery Programs: Brief Summaries Summary This report summarizes principal federal disaster assistance programs for possible use by Members of Congress and their staff in helping address the needs of constituents. A number of federal agencies provide assistance to individual victims; to state, territorial, and local governments; and to nongovernmentalnon-governmental entities following a disaster. Among other forms of assistance, federal programs can provide grants, loans, loan guarantees, temporary housing, and counseling. The programs summarized in this catalogreport fall into two broad categories. First are are programs specifically for disaster situations; most of these programs are administered administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration (SBA). The Homeland Security Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-296) transferred FEMA to the new Department of Homeland Security. Business Administration (SBA). Second are general assistance programs that may be used in disaster situations, as well as to meet regular service needs. Many federal agencies, including the Departments of Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, and Justice, administer programs that may be brought to bear under certain circumstances. The programs may also be classified by recipients: primarily individuals, state and local governments, or businesses. TheyThese programs address such short-term needs as food and shelter, and such long-term needs as repair of public utilities. This report includes a list of CRS reports about disaster assistance and assistance for victims of recent hurricanes. It also includes a list of federal agencies’ websites established specifically to respond to disasters, offering updates on recovery efforts, and providing a catalog of federal assistance programs. This report will be updated as significant legislative or administrative changes occur. Contents Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Program Selection Criteria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Limitations of This ReportFederal Disaster Recovery Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Other Sources of Information2 Assistance for Individuals and Families . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Individuals and Households Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Federal Disaster Recovery Programs. . . . . . . . . . .2 Disaster Unemployment Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Assistance for Individuals and Families2 Dislocated Worker Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Individual and Household Grants. . . 3 Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Disaster Unemployment Assistance . . .3 Public Safety Officers’ Educational Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Physical Disaster Loans — Residential . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Dislocated Worker Activities (Workforce Investment Act)4 Cora Brown Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Public Safety Officers’ Educational Assistance ProgramAssistance for Victims of Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Physical Disaster Loans-Residential. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Crisis Counseling . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Cora Brown Fund. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Disaster Legal Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Assistance for Victims of Crime. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Tax Relief . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Crisis Counseling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Assistance for State, Territorial, and Local Governments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Public Assistance Grants. . . . . . . . . . 5 Disaster Legal Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Assistance for State, Territorial, and Local GovernmentsHazard Mitigation Grants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Public Assistance. . . . . 7 Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Community Disaster Loans . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 6 Hazard Mitigation Grants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Reimbursement for Firefighting on Federal Property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grants8 Fire Management Assistance Grant Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Assistance for Small Businesses & Nonprofit Organizations . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Community8 Economic Injury Disaster Loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Reimbursement for Firefighting on Federal Property8 Physical Disaster Loans — Businesses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Fire Management Assistance Grant Program9 Emergency Loans for Farms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Emergency Federal Law Enforcement Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Public Assistance Grants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Assistance for Small Businesses & Nonprofit Organizations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Economic Injury Disaster Loans9 General Assistance Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Physical Disaster Loans-Businesses10 Other Sources of Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Emergency Loans for Farms. . . . . . . . . . 12 Selected CRS Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Public Assistance Grants. 12 Federal Agency Websites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 General Assistance Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 FEMA Website . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Keith Bea, Specialist in American National Government, and Merete Gerli, Information Research Specialist, were 13 Keith Bea (G&F), Ralph Chite (RSI), Celinda Franco (DSP), Merete Gerli (KSG/G&F), Pamela Jackson (G&F), Ann Lordeman (DSP), Edward Rappaport (DSP), Eric Weiss (G&F) and Julie Whittaker (DSP) were consulted in the preparation of this report. Federal Disaster Recovery Programs: Brief Summaries Introduction Federal agencies provide a range of assistance to individual victims,; state, territorial, and local governments, and nongovernmental; and non-governmental entities after major disasters, including certain terrorist attacks. Types of aid include, but are not limited to, technical assistance, loans and loan guarantees, grants, temporary housing, access to to counseling professionals, and medical assistance. The full range of federal disaster relief assistance is available after the President issues a major disaster declaration pursuant to Stafford Act authority.1 More limited aid is available under a Stafford Act emergency declaration2 or a declaration issued by a department or agency head.3 This report identifies programs pertinent to the recovery process. It provides brief descriptive information to help congressional offices determine which programs bear further consideration in the planning, organization, or implementation of recovery operations. Most of the programs listed here are authorized as assistance programs and listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA). The list does not include ad hoc assistance that some agencies provide in emergency or disaster situations. Program Selection Criteria Programs discussed in this report satisfy one or more of the following criteria: ! ! ! ! Congress expressly designated the program as a disaster relief or recovery program. The program is applicable to disaster situations, even if not specifically authorized for that purpose. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other federal agencies have used the program as an emergency response resource. The program is potentially useful for addressing short-term and long-term recovery needs (e.g., assistance with processing survivor benefits, or repair of public facilities). The programs listed in this report are specifically authorized for disaster situations. The programs can also be classified by recipients: primarily individuals, state and local governments, or businesses. General assistance programs that may apply to disaster situations are described at the end of this report. 1 42 U.S.C. 5170. 2 42 U.S.C. 5191. 3 1 42 U.S.C. 5170. For more information on the Stafford Act, see CRS Report RL33053, Federal Stafford Act Disaster Assistance: Presidential Declarations, Eligible Activities, and Funding, by Keith Bea. 2 3 42 U.S.C. 5191. The Administrators of the Small Business Administration, Farm Services Agency, and the Secretaries of Agriculture and Transportation, within statutory limitations, may issue disaster declarations for purposes of providing assistance solely from their agencies. Citations to these authorities are presented in the relevant program summaries. CRS-2 Limitations of This Report The purpose of this report is to identify programs pertinent to the recovery process. It therefore provides brief descriptive information to help congressional offices determine which programs bear further consideration in the planning, organization, or implementation of recovery operations. Most of the programs listed here are authorized as assistance programs and listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA). The list does not include ad hoc assistance that some agencies provide in emergency or disaster situations.4 ! The program is potentially useful for addressing short-term and long-term recovery needs (e.g., assistance with processing survivor benefits or repair of public facilities). Most of the programs listed in this report are specifically authorized for disaster situations. General assistance programs that may apply to disaster situations are described at the end of this report. Both types of programs can be classified by recipients: primarily individuals, state and local governments, or businesses. As Congress and the Administration respond to domestic needs, particularly should other terrorist attacks occur, some of these programs may be altered. For the most up-to-date information on a particular program, please contact the listed CRS analyst, or department or agency program officers. Other Sources of Information Federal Agency Websites. Many federal agencies have established websites specifically to respond to disasters. Some agencies maintain websites with comprehensive information about their disaster assistance programs, while other agencies supply only limited information; most list contact phone numbers. An A-Z Index of U.S. Government Departments and Agencies is maintained at [http://www.firstgov.gov/Agencies/Federal/All_Agencies/index.shtml]. FEMA WebSite. From its website, FEMA offers regular updates on recovery efforts in areas under a major disaster declaration. Information on a specific disaster may include a listing of declared counties and contact information for local residents. See [http://www.fema.gov]. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance. The CFDA describes some 1500 federal assistance programs (see [http://www.cfda.gov]). The catalog, however, does not contain the most current information for all programs. It also does not include information pertinent to disaster situations in most program descriptions. Due to limitations of information available via the Internet, congressional users of this report are urged to contact the appropriate program analysts, or department or agency program officers, for more complete, timely information. 4 For example, the Army Corps of Engineers (Department of Defense) provided substantial assistance in New York City after the World Trade Center attack of 2001. The Corps assisted with installing temporary generating capacity at the twin towers rescue site in New York, provided boats for immediate evacuations of lower Manhattan, and provided engineering expertise for the rescue effort. CRS-3 Federal Disaster Recovery Programs Assistance for Individuals and Families Individual and Household Grants.5 This program (IHG) is the primary Federal Disaster Recovery Programs Assistance for Individuals and Families Individuals and Households Program. The Individuals and Households Program (IHP) is the primary vehicle for FEMA assistance to individuals after the President issues a major disaster declaration. Congress appropriates money for the IHG program IHP assistance to the Disaster Relief Fund. Grants are made to localities to assist disaster victims whose needs cannot be met through other forms of assistance or through other means, such as insurance. , such as insurance or other federal programs. Program funds have a wide range of eligible uses, including temporary housing, funds for mortgage or rental payments, counseling services, unemployment assistance, and medical assistance temporary housing, limited housing repair or replacement, and uninsured medical, dental, or other personal needs (generally referred to as Other Needs Assistance [ONA]). There is a statutory matching requirement that states contribute 25% of funds. Grants may not exceed $26,200, per individual or household, adjusted annually to reflect consumer price changes. (Also see Physical Disaster Loans, listed below, for ; IHP assistance is generally limited to a period of 18 months. (Also see “Physical Disaster Loans — Residential,” below, for additional assistance for homeowners and renters.) Agency: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Authority: Stafford Act, 42 U.S.C. 5174-5188 Regulation: 44 CFR Part 206.110-120 Phone: Office of Congressional Affairs, 202-646-4500 Website: [http://www.fema.gov/rrr/inassistmedia/fact_sheets/individualassistance.shtm] CFDA: 97.048-97.050 CRS Contact: Keith Bea, 7202-707-8672 Disaster Unemployment Assistance. Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) provides benefits to previously employed or self-employed individuals rendered jobless as a direct result of a major disaster, and who are not eligible for regular federal/state unemployment insurance (UI). DUA is federally funded through FEMA, but is administered by the state UI agencies. The DUA weekly benefit amount and duration are the same as those under the UI program. Generally, applications must be filed within 30 days after the date the state announces availability of DUA benefits. When applicants have good cause, they may file claims CRS-3 after the 30-day deadline. This deadline may be extended, however, initial applications filed after the 26th week following the declaration date will not be considered. The maximum weekly benefit amount is determined under the provisions of the state law for unemployment compensation (UC)in the state where the disaster occurred. The minimum weekly DUA benefit a worker may receive is half of the average weekly UC benefit for the state where the disaster occurred. DUA assistance is available to eligible individuals as long as the major disaster continues, but no longer than 26 weeks after the disaster declaration. under the UI program. For more information, see see CRS Report RS22022, Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA), by Julie M. Whittaker. Agency: Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration Authority: Stafford Act, 42 U.S.C. 5177 Regulation: 20 CFR Part 625; 44 CFR Part 206.141 Phone: State UI Agency, see [http://www.workforcesecurity.doleta.gov/map.asp] Website: [http://ows.doleta.gov/unemploy/disaster.asp] CFDA: 97.034 CRS Contact: Julie Whittaker, 7202-707-2587 Dislocated Worker Activities (Workforce Investment Act). The . The dislocated worker program (which is authorized by the Workforce Investment Act) provides training and related assistance to persons who have lost their jobs and are unlikely to return to their current jobs or industries. Of the funds appropriated, 80% are allocated by formula grants to states and local 5 The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-390) consolidated the Temporary Housing Assistance program and the Individual and Family Grant Program into one program called Assistance to Individuals and Households. CRS-4 and local entities; 20% are reserved by the Secretary of Labor for activities including national national emergency grants to states or local entities. One type of national emergency grant is Disaster Relief Employment Assistance, under which funds can be made available available to states to employ dislocated workers in temporary jobs involving recovery after a national emergency. There is no matching requirement in this program. Agency: Department of Labor, Employment and Training national emergency. An individual may generally earn up to $12,000, excluding the cost of fringe benefits, and be employed for up to six months or 1,040 hours, whichever is longer. An individual may earn the full $12,000 in less than six months or 1,040 hours by working in a higher skilled position for which a higher hourly wage is paid. There are no matching requirements for Workforce Investment Act programs. Agency: Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration Authority: Workforce Investment Act of 1998, 20 U.S.C. 9201 Regulation: 20 CFR Part 671 Phone: See listing of State Dislocated Worker/Rapid Response/Coordinators [http://www.doleta.gov/layoff/rapid_coord.cfm] Web siteWebsite: [http://www.doleta.gov/layoff/workers.cfm] CFDA: 17.260 CRS Contact: Ann Lordeman, 7202-707-2323 Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program. Provides This program provides benefits (lump-sum payment) payment) of $283,385 as of FY2006 to spouses and children of public safety officers who have been permanently disabled or have lost their lives while in the line of duty. The benefit is adjusted each year to reflect the percentage CRS-4 of change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). There is no matching requirement for this program. Agency: Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance Authority: 42 U.S.C. 3796 Regulation: 28 CFR Part 32.31 et seq. Phone: Office of Justice Programs, 202-307-0635 Website: [http://www.ncjrs.org/pdffiles1/bja/fs000271.pdf] CFDA: 16.571 CRS Contact: Lisa Seghetti, 7-4669Edward Rappaport, 202-707-7740 Public Safety Officers’ Educational Assistance Program. Provides This program provides an educational assistance allowance to eligible survivors of public safety officers whose death or total permanent disability are the direct and proximate result of an injury sustained in the line of duty; funds may be used only to defray educational educational expenses, such as tuition, room and board, and books. There is no matching matching requirement for this program. Agency: Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance Authority: 42 U.S.C. 3796d Regulation: 28 CFR Part 32.31 et seq. Phone: 888-744-6513Office of Justice Programs, 202-307-0635 Website: [http://www.ncjrs.org/pdffiles1/bja/fs000270.pdf] CFDA: 16.615 CRS Contact: Lisa Seghetti, 7-4669 Physical Disaster Loans-Residential. ProvidesEdward Rappaport, 202-707-7740 Physical Disaster Loans — Residential. This program provides loans to homeowners and renters in declared disaster areas for uninsured physical damage and losses losses. Individuals may apply for personal property disaster loans of up to $40,000. Homeowners may apply for real property disaster loans of up to $200,000. Loans may be up to 30 years. There is a limited application period that is announced at the time of the disaster declaration. There is no matching requirement in this program. For For more information, see CRS Report RS21061, Small Business Disaster Assistance: Responding to the Terrorist Attacks. CRS-5, by Bruce K. Mulock and CRS Report RL33243, Small Business Administration: A Primer on Programs, by Eric Weiss. Agency: Small Business Administration Authority: Small Business Act of 1953, 15 U.S.C. 636(b) Regulation: 13 CFR Part 123.200-204 Phone: Office of Congressional Affairs, 202-205-6700 Website: [http://www.sba.gov/disaster/loansdisaster_recov/loaninfo/property.html] CFDA: 59.008 CRS Contact: Bruce Mulock, 7-7775 Eric Weiss, 202-707-6209 Cora Brown Fund. DirectThis fund directs payments to individuals and groups for disaster-related needs that have not been, or will not be met by government agencies or any other organizations that have programs to address such needs. Annual . Annual obligations for the entire program are typically less than $225,000. There is no matching requirement for this program. and no limitation on the time period in which assistance is available. CRS-5 Agency: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Authority: 42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq. Regulation: 44 CFR Part 206.181 Phone: Office of Congressional Affairs, 202-646-4500 Website: [http://www.fema.gova257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.acces s.gpo.gov/cfr_2002/octqtr/44cfr206.181.htm] CFDA: 97.031 CRS Contact: Keith Bea, 7202-707-8672 Assistance for Victims of Crime. OffersThis program offers a variety of services to victims, including emergency travel assistance, assistance with obtaining information, and long-term mental health counseling. There is no matching requirement for this program. For more information, see CRS Report RL32579, Victims of Crime Compensation and Assistance: Background and Funding, by Celinda Franco. Agency: Office of Justice Programs, Office for Victims of Crime, Department of Justice Authority: 42 U.S.C. 10601 Regulation: no specific regulation Phone: Victim Assistance Center, 1-800-331-0075 Website: [http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/] CFDA: 16.575, 16.576, others CRS Contact: Celinda Franco, 7-7360 202-707-7360 Crisis Counseling. Grants to states to provide This program provides grants that enable states to offer immediate crisis counseling services, when required, to victims of a major federally declared disaster for the purpose of relieving mental health problems caused or aggravated by a major disaster or its aftermath; assistance is short-term and community-oriented. community-oriented. Cost-share requirements are not imposed on this assistance. The regulations specify that program funding generally ends after nine months, but time extensions may be approved if requested by the state and approved by federal officials. Agency: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Authority: Stafford Act, 42 U.S.C. 5182 Regulation: 44 CFR Part 206.171 Phone: Office of Congressional Affairs, 202-646-4500 Website: [http://www.fema.gov/rrr/counselassistance/process/additional.shtm] CFDA: 97.032 CRS Contact: Keith Bea, 7-8672 CRS-6202-707-8672 Disaster Legal Services. FreeThese services offer free legal assistance to individuals affected by a major federal disaster. Types of assistance typically include help with insurance claims, preparing powers of attorney, help with guardianships, and preparing new wills and other lost legal documents. Neither the statute nor the regulations establish cost-share requirements or time limitations for assistance. CRS-6 Agency: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Authority: Stafford Act, 42 U.S.C. 5182 Regulation: 44 CFR Part 206.164 Phone: Office of Congressional Affairs, 202-646-4500 Web siteWebsite: [http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=13501assistance/process/additional.shtm] CFDA: 97.033 CRS Contact: Keith Bea, 7-8672202-707-8672 Tax Relief. Individuals and businesses located in areas included in major disaster declarations are allowed extra time (four years for homes and two years for business property) to replace property due to involuntary conversion (e.g., due to destruction from wind or floods, theft, or property ordered to be demolished). Casualty losses can also be deducted against income in the prior tax year, and certain disaster relief grants are not taxable. These losses also include property loss due to government ordered demolition because the property is unsafe. Disaster relief payments for certain expenses are not subject to tax. The Internal Revenue Service also has the authority to extend tax filing deadlines. Special provisions were enacted in P.L. 109-73, the Katrina Emergency Tax Relief Act of 2005, for the Katrina disaster area. This law eliminates floors for the casualty loss deduction, extends the replacement period for involuntary conversions to five years, allows penalty free withdrawals from IRAs and retirement plans, allows earned income and child credits based on prior year incomes, allows tax credits for retaining and hiring residents, and exclusions of cancellation of indebtedness. For more information see CRS Report RS22249, Income Tax Relief in Times of Disaster, by Pamela J. Jackson. Agency: Internal Revenue Service Authority: Internal Revenue Code, 26 USC Regulation: No specific regulation Phone: Congressional Liaison, 202-622-9590 Website:[http://www.irs.ustreas.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=108362,00. html] CRS Contact: Pamela Jackson, 202-707-3967 Assistance for State, Territorial, and Local Governments Public Assistance Grants. This is FEMA’s primary assistance program for state and local governments. Public Assistance grants (PA) (PA) grants may be used to repair, replace, or restore disaster-damaged, publicly owned facilities and the facilities of certain private nonprofit organizations. This program has a wide range of eligible activities, including removal of debris, repair of roads and bridges, and repair of water control facilities. Congress appropriates funds to the Disaster Relief Fund. There is generally a 25% matching requirement, but the statute authorizes the President to waive part or all of the required match. The regulations specify that federal officials must obligate funds for approved applications withing 45 days of the approval of applications for assistance (referred to as “Project Worksheets”). (Also see “(Also see Physical Disaster Loans, listed Loans — Businesses,” below, for assistance for nonprofit organizations.) CRS-7 Agency: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Authority: Stafford Act, 42 U.S.C. 5172(a)(1)(A) Regulation: 44 CFR Part 206, subparts G, H, I Phone: Office of Congressional Affairs, 202-646-4500 Website: [http://www.fema.gov/rrr/pa/government/grant/pa/index.shtm] CFDA: 97.036 CRS Contact: Keith Bea, 7202-707-8672 Hazard Mitigation Grants. GrantsThis program provides grants to states to enable implement mitigation measures to be implemented after recovery from a disaster; and to provide funding for for previously identified mitigation measures to benefit the area. There is a matching requirement of 25%. As amended, the statute limits assistance to 75% of the cost of the hazard mitigation measure, with total assistance limited to 7.5% of the total assistance provided under the Stafford Act. Agency: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Authority: 42 U.S.C. 5170c Regulation: 44 CFR Subpart N206.430-440 Phone: Office of Congressional Affairs, 202-646-4500 Website: [http://www.fema.gov/fimagovernment/grant/hmgp] CFDA: 97.039 CRS Contact: Keith Bea, 7-8672 CRS-7202-707-8672 Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grants. This program provides grants and technical assistance to state, territorial, and local communities for cost-effective hazard mitigation activities that complement a comprehensive hazard mitigation program, and reduce injuries, loss of life, and damage and destruction of property. A minimum of $500,000 or 1.0% of appropriated funds is provided to each state and local government, with assistance capped at 15% of appropriated funds. Federal funds comprise generally 75% of the cost of approved mitigation projects, except for small impoverished communities that may receive up to 90% of the cost. Agency: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Authority: 42 U.S.C. 5121-52065133 Regulation: 44 CFR Part 201 Phone: Office of Congressional Affairs, 202-646-4500 Web siteWebsite: [http://www.fema.gov/fima/pdmgovernment/grant/pdm/index.shtm] CFDA: 97.047 CRS Contact: Keith Bea, 7202-707-8672 Community Disaster Loans. Loans to local This program provides loans to local governments that have suffered substantial loss of tax and other revenue in areas included in a major disaster declaration. The funds can only be used to maintain existing functions of a municipal operating character, and the local government must demonstrate a need for financial assistance. There is no matching requirement, but a loan amount may not exceed $5 million. exceed $5 million. The statute does not impose time limitations on the assistance, but does provide that the repayment requirement must be cancelled if local government revenues are not sufficient to meet operations expenses during three years after a disaster. CRS-8 Agency: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Authority: 42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.5184 Regulation: 44 CFR Part 206.360-378 Phone: Office of Congressional Affairs, 202-646-4500 Web site: Website: [http://www.fema.gov/rrr/pa/federalgrantswire.com/community_disaster_loans.html] CFDA: 97.030 CRS Contact: Keith Bea, 7202-707-8672 Reimbursement for Firefighting on Federal Property. Direct payments to fire departments for engaging in firefighting operationsThis program directs payments to fire departments that fight fires on federal property. Applicants Applicants may be reimbursed for direct expenses and direct losses (those losses and expenses not considered normal operating expenses) incurred in firefighting. Cost share and time limitations are not imposed in the statute or regulations. Agency: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Authority: Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act, 15 U.S.C. 2201 et seq. Regulation: 44 CFR Part 151.110-23 Phone: Office of Congressional Affairs, 202-646-4500 Web siteWebsite: [http://www.fema.gov/nwz01/nwz01_84a.shtmusfa.dhs.gov/grants/rfff/] CFDA: 97.016 CRS Contact: Keith Bea, 7202-707-8672 Fire Management Assistance Grant Program. GrantsThis program provides grants to state and local governments to aid states and their communities with the migration mitigation, management, and control of fires burning on publicly or privately owned forests or grasslands. CRS-8 Agency: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Authority: Stafford, 42 U.S.C. 5187 Regulation: 44 CFR 2041 Phone: Office of Congressional Affairs, 202-646-4500 Web site: [http://www.fema.gov/rrr/fmagp.shtm] CFDA: 97.046 CRS Contact: Keith Bea, 7-8672 Emergency Federal Law Enforcement Assistance. Provides necessary assistance to a state government in order to provide an adequate response to an uncommon situation which requires law enforcement, which is, or threatens to become, of serious or epidemic proportions, and with respect to which state resources are inadequate to protect the lives and property of citizens, or to enforce the criminal law. The assistance may consist of funds, equipment, training, information, or personnel. Aid is not provided for crowd control involving demonstrations or conventions. This program does not receive funding on an annual basis, but, rather, as needed. Agency: Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance Authority: 42 U.S.C. 10501 Regulation: 28 CFR Part 65 Phone: Congressional Affairs staff, 202-307-0703 Website: [http://www.ncjrs.org/txtfiles/eflea.txt] CFDA: 16.577 CRS Contact: Lisa Seghetti, 7-4669 forests or grasslands. The federal government provides 75% of the costs associated with fire management projects, but funding is limited to calculations of the “fire cost threshold” for each state (as set forth in 44 CFR 204.51). No time limitation is applied to the program. Agency: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Authority: Stafford, 42 U.S.C. 5187 Regulation: 44 CFR 204.1 — 204.64 Phone: Office of Congressional Affairs, 202-646-4500 Website: [http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/grants/fedguide/provss.shtm] CFDA: 97.046 CRS Contact: Keith Bea, 202-707-8672 Assistance for Small Businesses & Nonprofit Organizations Economic Injury Disaster Loans. Loans and loan guarantees to assist This program assists small businesses suffering economic injury as a result of disasters by offering loans and loan guarantees. Businesses must be located in disaster areas declared by the President, the Small Business Administration (SBA), and/oror the Secretary of Agriculture. There is no matching requirement in this program program. The maximum loan amount is $1.5 million. Loans may be up to 30 years. The application period is announced at the time of the disaster declaration. For more information, see CRS Report RS21061, CRS-9 Small Business Disaster Assistance: Responding to the Terrorist Attacks, by Bruce K. Mulock and CRS Report RL33243, Small Business Administration: A Primer on Programs, by Eric Weiss. Agency: Small Business Administration Authority: Small Business Act of 1953, 15 U.S.C. 636(b) Regulation: 13 CFR Part 123.300-303 Phone: Office of Congressional Affairs, 202-205-6700 Website: [http://www.sba.gov/disaster/loansdisaster_recov/loaninfo/ecoinjury.html] CFDA: 59.002 CRS Contact: Bruce Mulock, 7-7775 Physical Disaster Loans-Businesses. Provides loans to small businesses Eric Weiss, 202-707-6209 Physical Disaster Loans — Businesses. This program provides loans to small businesses in declared disaster areas for uninsured physical damage and losses. There is no losses. The maximum loan amount is $1.5 million, but this limit can be waived by the SBA for businesses that are a “major source of employment.” Loans may be up to 30 years. There is no matching requirement in this program. For more information, see CRS Report RS21061, Small Business Disaster Assistance: Responding to the Terrorist Attacks. CRS-9, by Bruce K. Mulock and CRS Report RL33243, Small Business Administration: A Primer on Programs, by Eric Weiss. Agency: Small Business Administration Authority: Small Business Act of 1953, 15 U.S.C. 636(b) Regulation: 13 CFR Part 123.200-204 Phone: Office of Congressional Affairs, 202-205-6700 Website: [http://www.sba.gov/disaster/loansdisaster_recov/loaninfo/phydisaster.html] CFDA: 59.008 CRS Contact: Bruce Mulock, 7-7775 Emergency Loans for Farms. To assist established (owner or tenant) family farmers, ranchers and aquaculture operators with loans Eric Weiss, 202-707-6209 Emergency Loans for Farms. This program provides loans to established (owner or tenant) family farmers, ranchers, and aquaculture operators to cover losses resulting from major and/or natural disasters. Funds can be used for annual farm operating expenses, and for other essential needs necessary to return disaster victims’ farming operations to a financially sound basis in order, so that they will be able to can return to private sources of credit as soon as possible. Producers can borrow up to 100% of actual production or physical losses, to a maximum amount of $500,000. Agency: Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency Authority: Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, 7 U.S.C. 1961 Regulation: 7 CFR, Part 1945.1-1945.45 Phone: Legislative Liaison Staff, 202-720-3865 Website: [http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov/fsa.asp] CFDA: 10.404 and others CRS Contact: Ralph Chite, 7202-707-7296 Public Assistance Grants. This is FEMA’s primary assistance program for state and local governments. Public Assistance grants (PA) (PA) grants may be used to repair, replace, or restore disaster-damaged, publicly owned facilities and the facilities of certain private nonprofit organizations. This program has a wide range of eligible activities, including removal of debris, repair of roads and bridges, and repair of CRS-10 water control facilities. Congress appropriates funds to the Disaster Relief Fund. There is generally a 25% matching requirement, but the statute authorizes the President to waive part or all of the required match. (Also see Physical Disaster Loans, listed below Loans — Businesses,” above, for assistance for nonprofit organizations.) Agency: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Authority: Stafford Act, 42 U.S.C. 5172(a)(1)(B) Regulation: 44 CFR Part 206, subparts G, H, I Phone: Office of Congressional Affairs, 202-646-4500 Website: [http://www.fema.gov/rrr/pa/government/grant/pa/index.shtm] CFDA: 97.036 CRS Contact: Keith Bea, 202-707-8672 General Assistance Programs In addition to programs described above, which provide targeted assistance to individuals, state, territorial, and local governments, and businesses specifically affected by disasters, numerous other general assistance programs may potentially be be useful to communities in disaster situations. For example, by virtue of losing losing income, employment, or health insurance, individuals affected by disasters may become eligible for programs that are not specifically intended as disaster relief, such as cash assistance under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, job training under the Workforce Investment Act, Medicaid, or the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP).4 Likewise, state or local officials have the discretion to use funds under such programs such as the Social Services Block Grant or Community Development Block Grant to meet disaster-related needs, even though these programs were not established specifically for such purposes. Other agencies that may potentially offer may offer assistance to state and local governments include, including the Economic Development Administration and Administration and the Army Corps of Engineers. For businesses, however, only the disaster programs administered by the Small Business Administration are generally applicable. Numerous federal programs of potential use as disaster relief can be found throughout the government. However, specific eligibility criteria or other program rules might make it less likely that they would actually be used. Moreover, available funds might already be obligated for ongoing program activities. On the other hand, to the extent that federal agencies have discretion in the administration of programs, some may choose to adapt these non-targeted programs for use in disaster situations. Also, Congress may choose to provide additional funds through emergency supplemental appropriations for certain general assistance programs, specifically for use after a disaster. CRS analysts and program specialists can help provide information on the extent to which general assistance programs might be of relevance in a given disaster situation. CRS appropriations reports may have information on disaster assistance within particular federal agencies.6 These reports also contain a list of key policy staff at CRS (including phone numbers), identified by their program-area or agency expertise. 6 See the CRS website at [http://beta.crs.gov/cli/level_2.aspx?PRDS_CLI_ITEM_ID=73] for CRS appropriations reports. disaster 4 Congress enacted special legislation because of the widespread devastation that resulted from Hurricane Katrina in the fall of 2005. For example, P.L. 109-68, the TANF Emergency Response and Recovery Act of 2005, provided additional TANF funds and waived some program requirements for states affected by Hurricane Katrina. P.L.109-72, the Flexibility for Displaced Workers Act, authorizes the Department of Labor to assist unemployed persons forced to evacuate the Gulf Coast States. P.L.109-86, the Natural Disaster Student Aid Fairness Act, provides flexibility to institutions of higher education in states affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and to students who receive federal loans but were forced to attend other colleges and universities. P.L.109-82, the Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities affected by Hurricane Katrina or Rita Act of 2005, reallocates state funding authorized by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. P.L.109-87 authorized the Secretary of Transportation to make project grants for airports that incurred emergency capital costs because of Hurricanes Katrina or Rita. A list of mandatory spending and tax relief legislation enacted after the severe hurricanes of 2005, and the cost of the assistance authorized by the public laws, is included in a press release issued and updated by the Senate Budget Committee. See U.S. Senate, Budget Committee, “Senate Budget Committee Releases Current Tally of Hurricane-Related Spending,” at [http://budget.senate.gov/republican/pressarchive/2006-08-22Katrinatally.pdf], visited Sept. 14, 2006. CRS-11 programs administered by the Small Business Administration are generally applicable. Numerous federal programs potentially offer disaster relief. However, specific eligibility criteria or other program rules might make it less likely that they would actually be used. Moreover, available funds might already be obligated for ongoing program activities. To the extent that federal agencies have discretion in the administration of programs, some agencies may choose to adapt these non-targeted programs for use in disaster situations. Also, Congress may choose to provide additional funds through emergency supplemental appropriations for certain general assistance programs, specifically for use after a disaster. CRS analysts and program specialists can help provide information regarding general assistance programs that might be relevant to a given disaster situation. CRS appropriations reports may have information on disaster assistance within particular federal agencies.5 These reports also contain a list of key policy staff at CRS (including phone numbers), identified by their program area and agency expertise. 5 See the CRS website at [http://beta.crs.gov/cli/level_2.aspx?PRDS_CLI_ITEM_ID=73] for CRS appropriations reports. CRS-12 Other Sources of Information Selected CRS Reports Disaster Assistance CRS Report RS22254. The Americans with Disabilities Act and Emergency Preparedness and Response, by Nancy Lee Jones. CRS Report RL33330. Community Development Block Grant Funds in Disaster Relief and Recovery, by Eugene Boyd. CRS Report RL32972. Federal Flood Insurance: The Repetitive Loss Problem, by Rawle O. King. CRS Report RL33174. FEMA’s Community Disaster Loan Program, Nonna A. Noto. CRS Report RL33642. Permanent Tax Relief Provisions for Disaster Victims as Presented in the Internal Revenue Code, by Jennifer Teefy. CRS Report RL33579. The Public Health and Medical Response to Disasters: Federal Authority and Funding, by Sarah A. Lister. CRS Report RL33078. The Role of HUD Housing Programs in Response to Past Disasters, by Maggie McCarty, Libby Perl, and Bruce Foote. CRS Report RS22301. Rural Housing: USDA Disaster Relief Provisions, by Bruce Foote. CRS Report RS22266. The Use of Federal Troops for Disaster Assistance: Legal Issues, Jennifer K. Elsea. Disaster Assistance to Victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita Although the following CRS reports focus on disaster assistance to victims of recent hurricanes, programs discussed are relevant to other declared disasters or emergencies as well. CRS Report RL33102. Federal Food Assistance in Disasters: Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, by Joe Richardson. CRS Report RS22250. Hurricane Katrina: Activities of the Social Security Administration, by Scott Szymendera. CRS Report RL33083. Hurricane Katrina: Medicaid Issues, by Evelyne Baumrucker, April Grady, Jean Hearne, Elicia Herz, Richard Rimkunas, Julie Stone, and Karen Tritz. CRS-13 CRS Report RS22249. Income Tax Relief in Times of Disaster, by Pamela J. Jackson. CRS Report RS22269. Katrina Emergency Tax Relief Act of 2005, by Erika Lunder. CRS Report RS22252. Older Americans Act: Disaster Assistance for Older Persons After Hurricane Katrina, by Carol O’Shaughnessy. CRS Report RL33088. Tax Policy Options After Hurricane Katrina, by Jane G. Gravelle. CRS Report RS22246. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF): Its Role in Response to the Effects of Hurricane Katrina, by Gene Falk. CRS Report RL33084. Unemployment and Employment Programs Available to Workers from Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi Affected by Hurricane Katrina, by Julie M. Whittaker and Ann Lordeman. CRS Report RL33075. U.S. Agriculture After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita: Status and Issues, by Randy Schnepf and Ralph M Chite. Federal Agency Websites [http://www.firstgov.gov/Agencies/Federal/All_Agencies/index.shtml] Many federal agencies have established websites specifically to respond to disasters. Some agencies maintain websites with comprehensive information about their disaster assistance programs, while other agencies supply only limited information; most list contact phone numbers. An A-Z Index of U.S. Government Departments and Agencies is available at the website above. FEMA Website [http://www.fema.gov] From its website, FEMA offers regular updates on recovery efforts in areas under a major disaster declaration. Information on a specific disaster may include a listing of declared counties and contact information for local residents. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance [http://www.cfda.gov] The CFDA describes over 1,600 federal assistance programs. CFDA program numbers are given in each program summary included in this report. The Catalog, however, may not contain the most current information for all programs. Due to limitations of information available on the Internet, congressional users of this report are urged to contact the appropriate program analysts, or department or agency program officers, for more complete, timely information