Contents

• Introduction
• Overview of Programs
• SBA Home Disaster Loans
• Personal Property Loans
• Real Property Loans
• FEMA Individual Assistance
• Mass Care and Emergency Assistance
• Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program
• Disaster Unemployment Assistance
• Disaster Legal Services
• Disaster Case Management
• Individuals and Households Program (IHP)
• Stafford Act, and SBA Disaster Declarations, and Designations
• Stafford Act Declarations
• SBA Disaster Declarations
• Applications for Assistance
• Applying for FEMA Individual Assistance
• Applying for anSBA Disaster Loans Eligibility for SBA Disaster Loan
• Applicant Eligibility Criteria and Screening
Loans
• Eligibility for FEMA Individual Assistance
• Eligibility for SBA-Dependent ONA
• Appealing Eligibility and Assistance Determinations
• FEMA Appeals
• SBA Appeals
• Policy Observations and Considerations
• CMAComputer Matching Agreement (CMA) and Duplication of Benefits
(DOB)
• SBA Income Test

Summary

The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Individual Assistance (IA) program and the Small Business Administration's (SBA's) Disaster Loan ProgramSmall Business Administration's (SBA's) Disaster Loan Program and the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) Individual Assistance (IA) program are the federal government's two primary sources of financial assistance to help individuals and households recover and rebuild from a major disasterfollowing an incident. In many cases, disaster survivors find that they need assistance from both of these programs in addition to other sources of assistance, including private insurance, state and local government assistance, and assistance from private voluntary organizations.

Though FEMA IA andAlthough the SBA Disaster Loan Program and FEMA IA are separate programs administered by different agencies, in many ways they are interconnected. SBA and FEMA share real-time data on disaster grantloan and loangrant approvals to identify potential duplication of benefits while providing individuals and households with federal assistance that can be used in conjunction with each otherother forms of assistance to meet recovery needs. The two programs are also interconnected in the way they are administered to determine loan and grant eligibility. Furthermore, eligibilityEligibility and assistance from one source can affect eligibility and assistance from the other source.

It could be argued that the overlap between the two programs provides an effective means to identify duplication of benefits and provide federal assistance; however, the overlap also causes some confusion. Some in Congress are concerned that elements of the application process are not entirely knownsufficiently transparent. For instance, it is unclear to some what criteria are used to determine assistance eligibility, as well as how decisions are made with respect to whether an applicant should be provided a grantloan or a loangrant (or both). It is also unclear whether FEMA and SBAthe SBA and FEMA determine eligibility on a case-by-case basis, or if eligibility criteria are applied uniformly.

This report provides an overview of thethese two programs, including discussions about:

• how how different types of declarations put the programs into effect;
• the application process for both programs;
• the criteria used by FEMA and the SBA to determinethe SBA and FEMA to determine eligibility for assistance and the appropriate types of assistance; and
• the FEMA and SBA appealappeals processes.

The report concludes with policy observations and considerations for Congress.

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Introduction

Individuals and households that suffer uninsured or underinsured losses under a about computer matching agreements, duplication of benefits, and the use of income tests as a screening device for SBA disaster loans and FEMA grants.

Introduction

Individuals and households that suffer uninsured or underinsured losses caused by an incident¹ that results in an emergency or major disaster declaration typically apply for Individual Assistance (IA), administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and.² They may also apply for disaster loans, administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA).¹3 This report opens with an overview of the two programs and a discussion about how declarations, including presidential declarations of emergency or major disaster under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act; P.L. 93-288, as amended; 42 U.S.C. §§5121 et seq.), and SBA declarations under the Small Business Act (P.L. 83-163, as amended; 15 U.S.C. §§631 et seq.), are used to put them into effect. This are used to put them into effect. The report also discusses their respectivethe application processes and eligibility criteria used by FEMA and SBAthe SBA and FEMA to make grantloan and loangrant determinations, respectively. The report then describes the appeals process before concludingprocesses, and concludes with policy observations and considerations.

FEMA IA and the SBA Disaster Loan Program potential considerations for Congress about computer matching agreements, duplication of benefits, and the use of income tests as a screening device for SBA disaster loans and FEMA grants. The SBA Disaster Loan Program and FEMA IA are interlaced to a certain degree. Functionally, the SBA and FEMA have a computer matching agreement (CMA) to share real-time data on assistance provided to applicants.⁴ The SBA and FEMA use the interface between their systems to identify potentialand prevent a duplication of benefits (DOB) andbecause the SBA disaster loans and FEMA grants both provide assistance for damage to personal property, moving and storage expenses, and transportation assistance.⁵ The CMA also helps determine loan and grant eligibility. From because, from an administrative perspective, eligibility and assistance from one source can impact eligibility and assistance from the other source.

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While the overlap between the two programs may have some benefits, it arguably also causes some confusion. Moreover, as some observers have pointed out,Some say there are elements of the application process that are not entirely known or understood by those outside the agencies. For instance, some Members have asked for clarification concerning the criteria used to determine eligibility for grantsloans and/or loansgrants, as well as how decisions are made with respect to whether an applicant is provided a grant, loanloan, grant, or both. Others have questioned whether determinations are made on a case-by-case basis, or if the determination criteria are applied uniformly to all applicants seeking disaster assistance.

Overview of Programs

The following sections provide descriptions of the SBA and FEMA programs that provide assistance to individuals and households. In many cases, disaster survivors find that they need assistance from both of these programs in addition to other sources of assistance, including private insurance, state and local government assistance, and assistance from private voluntary organizations in order, to fully recover.

SBA Home Disaster Loans

In addition to small business disaster loans, homeownersHomeowners, renters, and personal property owners located in a declared disaster area are also eligible to apply for an SBA home disaster loan.⁷ SBA home disaster loans can be conceptualized as two categories of loans according to how the proceeds are put to use: Personal Property Loans and Real Property Loans.

These loans cover only uninsured or underinsured property and primary residences in a declared disaster area.

Personal Property Loans

A Personal Property Loan provides a creditworthy homeowner or renter located in a declared disaster area with up to $40,000 to repair or replace personal property owned by the victim.²disaster survivor.⁸ Eligible items include furniture, appliances, clothing, and automobiles damaged or lost in a disaster. These loans cover only uninsured or underinsured property and primary residences in a declared disaster area. Eligibility of luxury items with functional use, such as antiques and rare artwork, is limited to the cost of an ordinary item meeting the same functional purpose. Interest rates for Personal Property Loans cannot exceed 8% per annum, or 4% per annum if the applicant is found by SBA to be unable to obtain credit elsewhere. Generally, borrowers pay equal monthly installments of principal and interest, beginning five months from the date of the loan. Loan maturities may be up to 30 years.

Real Property Loans

Real Property Loans provide creditworthy homeowners with uninsured or underinsured loss located in a declared disaster area with up to $200,000 to repair or replace the homeowner's primary residence to its pre-disasterpredisaster condition.³9 The loans may not be used to upgrade a home or build additions to the home, unless the upgrade or addition is required by city or county building codes, such as a code-required elevation. Repair or replacement of landscaping and/or recreational facilities cannot exceed $5,000. A homeowner may borrow funds to cover the cost of improvements to protect their property against future damage (e.g., elevation, retaining walls, sump pumps, etc.). Mitigation funds may not exceed 20% of the disaster damage, as verified by SBA, to a maximum of $200,000 for home loans.⁴10 As previously mentioned, interest rates cannot exceed 8% per annum, or 4% per annum if the applicant is unable to obtain credit elsewhere. Generally, borrowers pay equal monthly installments of principal and interest, beginning five months from the date of the loan. Loan maturities may be up to 30 years.

FEMA Individual Assistance

IA can include several programsVarious types of FEMA IA may be provided to disaster survivors, depending on whether an emergency or major disaster is declared, and the type(s) of IA requested by whether the governor of the affected state or the tribal chief executive and authorized by FEMA.¹¹tribal leader requests that specific type of FEMA assistance. FEMA's IA FEMA's IA program includes (1) Mass Care and Emergency Assistance, (2) the Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program, (3) Disaster Unemployment Assistance, (4) Disaster Legal Services, (5) Disaster Case Management, and (6) the Individuals and Households Program.⁵

Mass Care and Emergency Assistance

Mass Care includes directly supporting sheltering, feeding, emergency supply distribution, and family reunification. Emergency Assistance includes a variety of services and functions, including coordination of volunteer organizations and unsolicited donations, managing unaffiliated volunteers and community relief services, supporting transitional sheltering, and supporting mass evacuations.

Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program

The Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program assists individuals and communities recovering from the effects of a disaster through community-based outreach and psycho-educational services.⁶ The program supports short-term counseling of disaster survivors. The program also provides information on coping strategies and emotional support by linking the survivor with other individuals and agencies that help survivors in the recovery process.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance

Disaster Unemployment Assistance provides information and resources to individuals who were employed or self-employed, or were scheduled to begin employment during a disaster. It may also be provided to those who can no longer work or perform their job duties due to damage to their place of employment, who do not qualify for regular unemployment benefits from a state, or who cannot perform work or self-employment due to an injury as direct result of a disaster.⁷

Disaster Legal Services

Disaster Legal Services provides legal assistance to low-income individuals who are unable to secure adequate legal services that meet their disaster-related needs.

Disaster Case Management

Disaster Case Management provides a partnership between a case manager and the disaster survivor to assist them in carrying out a disaster recovery plan. The recovery plan includes resources, service, decision-making priorities, progress reports, and the goals needed to close their case.

Individuals and Households Program (IHP)

The Individuals and Households Program (IHP) is comprised of two categories of assistance: Housing Assistance, and Other Needs Assistance. Housing Assistance may include financial assistance to:

• Reimburse for hotels, motels, or other short-term lodging.
• Rent alternate housing accommodations while the applicant is displaced from their primary residence.
• Make repairs to primary residence.
• Assist in replacing owner-occupied residences when the residence is destroyed.
• Enter into lease agreements with owners of multifamily rental properties located in the disaster area.

Housing Assistance may also include home repair and construction services provided in insular areas outside the continental United States and other locations where no alternative housing resources are available and where types of FEMA housing assistance that are normally provided (such as rental assistance) are unavailable, infeasible, or not cost-effective. In addition, FEMA may provide manufactured housing units as a form of temporary housing through its Transitional Sheltering Assistance program.

The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (P.L. 93-288, as amended, hereinafter the Stafford Act) originally capped IA financial assistance at "no greater than $25,000 under this section with respect to a single major disaster."⁸ The Stafford Act was later amended to adjust the cap annually to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index published by the Department of Labor.⁹ The current IA cap is $33,300 and the approximate per household or individual award amount is $8,500.¹⁰ Households that have damages exceeding $33,300 may also need an SBA disaster loan to rebuild and repair their home.

Other Needs Assistance (ONA) provides financial assistance for other disaster-related expenses and needs. ONA is divided into two categories: (1) SBA dependent, and (2) non-SBA dependent.

SBA Dependent ONA

Only individuals or households who do not qualify for a loan from the SBA may be eligible for the following types of assistance:

• Personal Property Assistance: to repair or replace essential household items such as furnishings and appliances, accessibility items (as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act), and specialized tools and protective clothing required by an employer.
• Transportation Assistance: to repair or replace a vehicle damaged by a disaster and other transportation-related costs.
• Moving and Storage Assistance: to relocate and store personal property from the damaged primary residence to prevent further disaster damage, such as ongoing repairs, and returning the property to the primary residence.

Non-SBA Dependent ONA

Non-SBA dependent types of ONA may be awarded regardless of the individual's or household's SBA disaster loan status and may include:

• Funeral Assistance: to assist with funeral expenses incurred as a direct result of a declared major disaster such as reallocation or reburial of unearthed remains and replacement of burial vessel and markers.
• Medical and Dental Assistance: to assist with medical or dental expenses caused by a major disaster, which may include injury, illness, loss of prescribed medication and equipment, or insurance copayments.
• Child Care Assistance: a one-time payment that covers up to eight cumulative weeks of child care expenses, for a household's increased financial burden to care for children aged 13 and under, or children aged 14 to 18 with a disability as defined by federal law.
• Miscellaneous or Other Items Assistance: reimbursement for eligible items purchased or rented after a major disaster incident for an individual or household's recovery, such as gaining access to the property or assisting with cleaning efforts.¹¹

Stafford Act, SBA Disaster Declarations, and Designations

Two declaration authorities put FEMA IA and the SBA Disaster Loan Program into effect: (1) the Stafford Act, and (2) the Small Business Act (P.L. 85-536, as amended)12 The Individuals and Households Program provides assistance to meet the housing and other needs of disaster survivors, and is the IA program that is often the subject of the most congressional interest. A brief description of each form of IA is included below. Mass Care and Emergency Assistance

Mass Care and Emergency Assistance (MC/EA) involves the provision of life-sustaining services to disaster survivors prior to, during, and following an incident through short-term recovery.¹³ MC/EA includes seven service "activities": (1) sheltering; (2) feeding; (3) distribution of emergency supplies; (4) support for individuals with disabilities and others with access and functional needs; (5) reunification services for adults and children; (6) support for household pets, service animals, and assistance animals; and (7) mass evacuee support.¹⁴

Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program

The Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program (CCP)¹⁵ provides grant funding to eligible local, state, territorial, and Indian tribal governments, as well as nongovernmental organizations (e.g., a private mental health organization that the governor has designated to receive funds). CCP supplements efforts to assist individuals and communities with recovering from the effects of a disaster through community-based outreach and the provision of services, such as crisis counseling, psycho-education,¹⁶ and coping skills development.¹⁷ CCP also provides support by linking the disaster survivor with other resources, such as individuals and agencies that help survivors in the recovery process.¹⁸ The program provides short- to intermediate-term assistance to support mental and emotional health needs; two CCP programs provide assistance for different lengths of time: (1) the Immediate Services Program provides funding for up to 60 days following a major disaster declaration; and (2) the Regular Services Program provides funding for up to 9 months from the notice of award.¹⁹

Disaster Unemployment Assistance

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) provides benefits to individuals who were previously employed or self-employed, were rendered jobless or whose employment was interrupted as a direct result of a major disaster, and are ineligible for regular unemployment insurance.²⁰ DUA may also provide reemployment assistance.²¹ DUA benefits may continue for up to 26 weeks following the declaration of a major disaster.²²

Disaster Legal Services

Disaster Legal Services (DLS) are provided for free to low-income individuals who require them as a result of a major disaster. The provision of services is "confined to the securing of benefits under the [Stafford] Act and claims arising out of a major disaster."²³ Assistance may include help with insurance claims, drawing up new wills and other legal documents lost in the disaster, help with home repair contracts and contractors, and appeals of FEMA decisions.²⁴ DLS is provided through an agreement with the American Bar Association's Young Lawyers Division.²⁵ Neither the statute nor the regulations establish cost-share requirements or time limitations for DLS.

Disaster Case Management

The Disaster Case Management (DCM) program partners case managers with disaster survivors to develop and implement disaster recovery plans that address their unmet needs.²⁶ The program is time-limited, and shall not exceed 24 months from the date of the major disaster declaration.²⁷

Individuals and Households Program The Individuals and Households Program (IHP) is the primary vehicle for FEMA assistance to individuals and households after the President issues an emergency or major disaster declaration, when authorized.²⁸ It is intended to meet basic needs and support recovery efforts, but it cannot compensate disaster survivors for all losses.²⁹ Under the IHP, financial assistance (i.e., funding provided to an applicant) and/or direct assistance (i.e., assistance provided by FEMA/state/territorial/Indian tribal government) may be available to eligible individuals and households who have uninsured or underinsured necessary expenses and serious needs, as a result of a disaster, that cannot be met through other means or forms of assistance.³⁰ There are two categories of IHP assistance: Housing Assistance, and Other Needs Assistance (ONA) (see Table 1 for the subcategories of Housing Assistance and ONA). The period of assistance is generally limited to 18 months following the date of the emergency or major disaster declaration.³¹ Table 1. Types of Housing Assistance and Other Needs Assistance Housing Assistance:Financial Housing Assistance:Direct ONA: SBA-Dependent ONA: Non-SBA-Dependent

Lodging Expense Reimbursement

Rental Assistance

Home Repair Assistance

Home Replacement Assistance

Multifamily Lease and Repair

Transportable Temporary Housing Units

Direct Lease

Permanent Housing Construction

Personal Property

Moving and Storage

Transportation Assistance

Group Flood Insurance Policy

Funeral Assistance

Medical and Dental Assistance

Childcare Assistance

Assistance for Miscellaneous Items

Critical Needs Assistance

Clean and Removal Assistance

Source: FEMA, Individual Assistance Program and Policy Guide (IAPPG), FP 104-009-03, March 2019, p. 7, at https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1551713430046-1abf12182d2d5e622d16accb37c4d163/IAPPG.pdf.

Notes: The different types of Housing Assistance may constitute either financial or direct assistance; however, all types of ONA are forms of financial assistance.

Housing Assistance

Housing Assistance may include financial or direct assistance, including the following:

• Lodging Expense Reimbursement (LER) for hotels, motels, or other short-term lodging;
• Rental Assistance for alternate housing accommodations while the applicant is displaced from their primary residence;
• Home Repair Assistance for an owner-occupied primary residence;
• Replacement Assistance for an owner-occupied primary residence when the residence is destroyed;
• Multifamily Lease and Repair (MLR) to place disaster survivors in FEMA-leased multifamily temporary housing;
• Transportable Temporary Housing Units (TTHUs)³² to place disaster survivors in FEMA-purchased or -leased temporary housing units;
• Direct Lease to place disaster survivors in FEMA-leased residential properties; and
• Permanent Housing Construction (PHC) to provide home repair and construction services in insular areas outside the continental United States and other locations where no alternative housing resources are available and where types of FEMA housing assistance that are normally provided (such as rental assistance) are unavailable, infeasible, or not cost-effective.³³

In addition to IHP temporary housing assistance, FEMA may provide short-term, emergency sheltering accommodations under Section 403—Essential Assistance—of the Stafford Act (e.g., the Transitional Sheltering Assistance [TSA] program, which provides short-term hotel/motel accommodations to disaster survivors).³⁴

Other Needs Assistance (ONA)

ONA provides financial assistance for other disaster-related necessary expenses and serious needs. There are two categories of ONA: (1) SBA-dependent, and (2) non-SBA-dependent.

SBA-Dependent ONA

FEMA and the SBA collaborate in determining applicant eligibility for SBA-dependent ONA.³⁵ To receive SBA-dependent types of ONA, applicants must first apply for an SBA disaster loan.³⁶ SBA-dependent ONA is only available to individuals or households who do not qualify for an SBA disaster loan or whose SBA disaster loan amount is insufficient. Types of SBA-Dependent ONA include the following:

• Personal Property Assistance to repair or replace eligible items (i.e., appliances, essential clothing, furnishings, accessibility items as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, and essential, specialized tools and equipment required by an employer or education);³⁷
• Transportation Assistance to repair or replace a vehicle damaged by a disaster and cover other transportation-related costs;³⁸
• Moving and Storage Assistance to relocate and store personal property from the damaged primary residence while repairs are made, and return the property to the repaired primary residence;³⁹ and
• Group Flood Insurance Policy to enable FEMA or the state, territorial, or Indian tribal government to pay $600 for three years of flood insurance for real and personal property through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).⁴⁰

Non-SBA-Dependent ONA

Non-SBA-dependent types of ONA may be awarded regardless of the individual or household's SBA disaster loan status and may include the following:

• Funeral Assistance for expenses incurred as a direct result of a declared emergency or major disaster (e.g., interment or reinterment, officiant services, and death certificates);⁴¹
• Medical and Dental Assistance for expenses caused by a declared emergency or major disaster (e.g., injury, illness, loss of prescribed medication and equipment, and insurance deductibles and copayments);⁴²
• Childcare Assistance in the form of a one-time payment that covers up to eight cumulative weeks of child care expenses to care for children aged 13 and under, and/or children up to age 21 with a disability as defined by federal law who need assistance with activities of daily living;⁴³
• Miscellaneous Expenses to provide reimbursement for eligible items purchased or rented after a major disaster to assist with recovery, such as gaining access to the property or assisting with cleaning efforts (e.g., chainsaw, dehumidifier, etc.);⁴⁴
• Critical Needs Assistance in the form of a one-time payment of $500 to individuals or households who need life-saving and life-sustaining items because they are displaced from their primary dwelling as a result of a disaster;⁴⁵ and
• Clean and Removal Assistance in the form of a one-time payment to address floodwater contamination for individuals and households whose primary residences experienced flood damage.⁴⁶

Maximum Amount of IHP Financial Assistance

The amount of IHP financial assistance an individual or household may receive is limited. Housing assistance may not exceed $34,900 (FY2019; adjusted annually),⁴⁷ and separate from that, financial assistance for ONA also may not exceed $34,900 (FY2019; adjusted annually).⁴⁸ In addition, financial assistance to rent alternate housing accommodations is not subject to the cap.⁴⁹ Households may need both IHP assistance and an SBA disaster loan to repair or rebuild their home, or meet other disaster-caused needs.

Stafford Act and SBA Disaster Declarations, and Designations

Two declaration authorities put FEMA IA and the SBA Disaster Loan Program into effect: (1) the Stafford Act and (2) the Small Business Act.

Stafford Act Declarations The Stafford Act authorizes the President to issue major disaster declarations⁵⁰ that provide local, state, territorial, and Indian tribal governments.

Stafford Act Declarations

The Stafford Act authorizes the President to issue major disaster declarations that provide states, tribes, and localities with a range of federal assistance in response to natural and human-caused incidents.¹²51 Each presidential major disaster declaration includes a "designation" listing the counties eligible for assistance, as well as the types of assistance FEMA is to provide under the declaration.⁵² Potential types of assistance include (1) Public Assistance (PA) for infrastructure repair;¹³emergency protective measures, debris removal, and repair or replacement of damaged public infrastructure;⁵³ (2) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) grants to fund projects to lessen the effects of future disaster incidents; and (3) Individual Assistance (IA) for aidto provide housing and other needs assistance to individuals and households. Under FEMA regulations:

The Assistant Administrator for the Disaster Assistance Directorate has been delegated authority to determine and designate the types of assistance to be made available. The initial designations will usually be announced in the declaration. Determinations by the Assistant Administrator for the Disaster Assistance Directorate of the types and extent of FEMA disaster assistance to be provided are based upon findings whether the damage involved and its effects are of such severity and magnitude as to be beyond the response capabilities of the state, the affected local governments, and other potential recipients of supplementary federal assistance. The Assistant Administrator for the Disaster Assistance Directorate may authorize all, or only particular types of, supplementary federal assistance requested by the governor.¹⁴

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Not all major disaster declarations provide IA. Often, major declarations only provide PA and HMGP (these are sometimes referred to as "PA-only" major disaster declarations).

Stafford Act major disaster declarations also trigger the SBA Disaster Loan Program.⁵⁵ The assistance designation, however, determines what loan types become available. In particular, the IA designation is important because it determines whether SBA disaster loans will be made available to individuals and households. For example, if the President declares a major disaster and designates IA for a county, then all SBA disaster loan types become available to that county.¹⁵56 On the other hand, if the President issues a PA-only major declaration, SBA disaster loans are generally only available to private nonprofit organizations. In many cases, a major disaster is declared for an incident that designates IA for some counties, and designates PA for others. Only the IA-designated counties in thatcounties authorized to receive IA pursuant to a major disaster will bedeclaration are eligible for SBA home disaster loans.

SBA Disaster Declarations

A major disaster declaration, however, is not the only triggering mechanism for the SBA Disaster Loan Program. The Small Business Act authorizes the SBA AdministratorSBA disaster loans can also be triggered by the SBA Administrator, who is authorized under the Small Business Act to issue an "Agency" or "SBA declaration" that makes SBA disaster loans available for homeowners, renters, businesses, and nonprofit organizations.¹⁶57 The SBA declaration by itself does not, however, trigger FEMA IA.¹⁷

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Applications for Assistance

Applying for FEMA Individual Assistance

After a major disaster declaration has been issued and IA has been designated for the incident, applicants in a declared disaster area may register for FEMA and SBA assistance. Individuals and households can register for assistance online or by telephone.¹⁸The following sections describe the application process for FEMA and SBA disaster loan assistance. They include a discussion concerning eligibility criteria for the two programs in addition to a description of how applicants are screened to determine whether the applicant should be provided a grant, a loan, or both. Although integrated to a large extent, ultimately each agency is responsible for determining eligibility based on the applicant's losses and the forms of assistance they have received. Applying for FEMA Individual Assistance Applicants in a declared disaster area may register for FEMA IA and SBA disaster loan assistance after a major disaster declaration has been issued and IA has been designated. Individuals and households can register for assistance online, by telephone, or in-person at a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC).⁵⁹ Individuals and households generally have 60 days from the date of a declaration to apply for IA.¹⁹FEMA IHP assistance.⁶⁰ The registration process typically takes 20 minutes to complete and requires the following information:

• Therequires the following information:
• certification that the applicant is a U.S. citizen, noncitizen national, a qualified alien, or the parent or guardian of a minor who is a U.S. citizen, noncitizen national, or qualified alien;⁶¹
the primary applicant's social security number (or the social security number of a minor child in the household who is a U.S. Citizen, Non-Citizen National, or Qualified Aliencitizen, noncitizen national, or qualified alien if the parent or legal guardian is not a legal citizen).
• Financial information (gross household income at the time of the disaster).
• Contract information, insurance information.
• Electronic funds transfer or direct deposit information (to receive eligible assistance).

Applying for an SBA Disaster Loan

Applicants can apply for SBA disaster loans online, in-person at a disaster center, or by mail.²⁰;

current and predisaster address;

names of predisaster household occupants;

contact information;

insurance information;

financial information (i.e., predisaster household annual gross income);

losses caused by the disaster; and

banking information for direct deposit of financial assistance.⁶²

Other forms of IA include other application requirements and processes.⁶³ For example, local, state, territorial, or Indian tribal governments may apply for a grant to administer the Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program, which includes different application requirements.⁶⁴ The provision of Disaster Legal Services, however, only requires the affected state, territorial, or Indian tribal government to request the program through the "Request for Presidential Disaster Declaration—Major Disaster or Emergency" form (FEMA Form 010-0-13), and there is no formal application process for individuals and households to access Disaster Legal Services once the government activates the program.⁶⁵

Applying for SBA Disaster Loans Applicants can apply for SBA disaster loans online, in-person at a DRC, or by mail.⁶⁶ Applicants must fill out SBA Form 5C and IRS Form 4506-T.⁶⁷ Applicants must fill out SBA Form 5C and IRS Form 4506-T. The forms require certain information about the applicant, including their social security number, income, insurance, assets, debt amounts, and tax information. The applicant may also be required to indicate whether their employment has changed in the last two years, as well as provide deed and proof of residency information. If the applicant is claiming damage to an automobile,automobile damage they may be required to provide proof of ownership (e.g., a copy of the registration, title, bill of sale, etc.).²¹

Applicant Eligibility Criteria and Screening

Though integrated to a large extent, ultimately each agency is responsible for determining eligibility based on the applicant's losses and the forms of assistance they have received. ). Eligibility for SBA Disaster Loans In the case of SBA disaster loans, the SBA's Office of Disaster Assistance (ODA) determines eligibility based on the applicant's disaster-related losses, as verified by the SBA.²² IA eligibility determinations are made by FEMA's Individual Assistance Division, under the Office of Response and Recovery.

The SBA Disaster Loan Program uses68 According to the SBA, three main criteria are used for making credit decisions: (1) eligibility, which is based on the applicant's disaster-related losses; (2) satisfactory credit; and (3) repayment ability, including minimum income levels. The SBA wouldSBA will not decline an application for not having collateral to secure a loan but, to the extent it is available, a borrower may be required to pledge collateral for loans over certain amounts (e.g., $25,000 for physical damage loans).²³

According to FEMA's Individuals and Households Program Unified Guidance, FEMA is required to use four main criteria for determining FEMA IA eligibility: (1) the applicant is a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien residing; (2) FEMA must be able to verify the applicant's identity; (3) 69 Eligibility for FEMA Individual Assistance

In the case of IA, each form of assistance includes general conditions of eligibility, which are outlined in FEMA's Individual Assistance Program and Policy Guide (IAPPG).⁷⁰ For example, FEMA IHP assistance includes general conditions of eligibility as follows:

the applicant must be a U.S. citizen, noncitizen national, or qualified alien (or the parent or guardian of a minor child who is a U.S. citizen, noncitizen national, or qualified alien);

FEMA must be able to verify the applicant's identity;

the applicant's insurance, or other forms of disaster assistance received, cannot meet their disaster-caused needs; and (4) the applicant's necessary expenses and serious needs are directly caused by a declared disaster.²⁴ As described below and discussed in more detail in "SBA Income Test," while FEMA claims that assistance is based on damage amounts rather than income, household income does appear to be a key criterion for making grant determinations.

As demonstrated in Figure 1, applicants typically apply for FEMA IA assistance first. Based on income information provided as part of the FEMA registration process FEMA applies an income test developed by SBA for its initial applicant screening. Applicants above certain income thresholds are not eligible for FEMA IA assistance and are referred back to SBA for loan consideration. SBA developed the minimum income levels or "minimum cost of living estimates" by applying a formula to the U.S Department of Health and Human Services Federal Poverty Guidelines.²⁵ As shown in Table 1, 71

In addition, each category of FEMA IHP assistance includes additional eligibility requirements (e.g., to receive ONA, an applicant must satisfy occupancy and ownership eligibility requirements).⁷²

The standard mechanism for verifying IHP loss and eligibility is an on-site inspection conducted by a FEMA inspector (or other method of verification, such as a geospatial inspection or a review of documentation for losses that cannot be verified through an inspection).⁷³

Eligibility for SBA-Dependent ONA As stated above, FEMA and the SBA collaborate in determining applicant eligibility for ONA (see the "Other Needs Assistance (ONA)" section).⁷⁴ There are two pathways for individuals and households to be considered for SBA-Dependent ONA: (1) FEMA refers applicant registrations to the SBA Disaster Loan Program if an applicant's income meets the SBA minimum guidelines (described below); or (2) FEMA considers the applicant for SBA-dependent ONA assistance if the applicant's income does not meet the SBA's minimum threshold (in which case FEMA does not refer the applicant's registration to the SBA).⁷⁵ The general process for determining eligibility is outlined in Figure 1 and described in more detail below. Based on income information provided as part of the FEMA registration process, FEMA applies an income test developed by SBA for its initial applicant screening (see stage 2 of Figure 1).⁷⁶ The SBA developed the minimum income levels or "minimum cost of living estimates" by applying a formula to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Poverty Guidelines.⁷⁷ FEMA automatically refers applicant registrations to the SBA Disaster Loan Program if an applicant's income meets the SBA minimum guidelines (see stage 3 of Figure 1).⁷⁸ As shown in Table 2, the SBA establishes minimum income levels by multiplying the poverty level for a family of one by a factor of 1.5, and multiplying the poverty level for families of greater than one by a factor of 1.25.²⁶79 The income test formula is not specifically authorized in statute and is not published in SBA regulations. Rather, the formula was first introduced as agency policy in 1985 by SBA Memorandum 85-20 as a means to help determine the applicant's ability to repay the loan and is still in use today (see Appendix B).

FEMA refers applicants to the SBA Disaster Loan Program if they meet or exceed certain income levels and therefore do not qualify for grant assistance. For example, it could be inferred that an individual who earns $18,210 or more per year would initially be denied FEMA grant assistance and referred to the SBA Disaster Loan Program to apply for an SBA disaster loan to repair and rebuild their home (see Stage 2 of Figure 1).

If the applicant is denied an SBA disaster loan, or the loan is insufficient for their recovery needs, the applicant is referred back to FEMA for eligible "SBA dependent ONA" assistance from FEMA (see stage 5 of Figure 1).

SBA disaster loan applicants with income below the minimum income level are classified as Failed Income Test (FIT). FIT applicants are notified that their SBA disaster loan application has been denied and advised that they will be notified if there are any changes to the decision. They are then referred back to FEMA to be considered for possible additional FEMA grant assistance.

SBA disaster loan applicants with income below the minimum income level are classified as Failed Income Test (FIT). FIT applicants are notified that their SBA disaster loan application has been denied and advised that they will be notified if there are any changes to the decision.⁸⁰ Additionally, if the SBA denies the applicant or the loan amount is insufficient to meet their recovery needs, the applicant would be referred back to FEMA to be considered for SBA-dependent ONA assistance (see stage 5 of Figure 1).⁸¹

Figure 1. FEMA and SBA Screening Process

Source: Federal Emergency Management Agency, Individual Assistance Program and Policy Guide (IAPPG), FP 104-009-03, March 2019, p. 133,, Individuals and Households Program Unified Guidance, FP 104-009-03, September 2016, p. 89, available at https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1483567080828-1201b6eebf9fbbd7c8a070fddb308971/FEMAIHPUG_CoverEdit_December20161551713430046-1abf12182d2d5e622d16accb37c4d163/IAPPG.pdf. Note: ONA= Other Needs Assistance. ONA (ONA) provides financial assistance for other disaster-related expenses and needs. For more information on ONA see CRS Report R44619, FEMA Disaster Housing: The Individuals and Households Program—Implementation and Potential Issues for Congress, by [author name scrubbed].

FEMA Appeals

Applicants may submit a written appeal if they disagree with any FEMA determination within 60 days of the date of their eligibility notification letter. Applicants may appeal initial eligibility determinations for housing assistance and ONA, and denials for continued rental assistance, and direct housing assistance. FEMA does not accept multiple appeals for the same reason, but may Appealing Eligibility and Assistance Determinations FEMA Appeals

Applicants for IA assistance—using the IHP as an example—may appeal FEMA's determinations, including related to eligibility;⁸² amount and/or types of assistance;⁸³ FEMA recoupment of improper payments;⁸⁴ and denials of late application submissions.⁸⁵ Applicants may also appeal decisions related to the specific type of IHP assistance they are receiving (e.g., a denial for Continued Rental Assistance, a denial of a request to purchase a FEMA-provided Mobile Housing Unit, etc.).⁸⁶

Appeals of any IHP assistance-related FEMA determination must be submitted in writing. However, "FEMA does not accept multiple appeals for the same reason, but may have to request additional information and conduct additional reviews as new information is received.

All appeals must be in writing and require an applicant signature—they cannot be accepted via email.²⁷ The applicant must submit their appeal to the state, territorial, or tribal government if ONA is administered under the Joint or State Option.²⁸

SBA Appeals

Applicants have six months to request a reconsideration of a decline decision for an SBA disaster loan application. Applicants have 30 days to appeal a subsequent decline decision of their SBA disaster loan application.²⁹

Policy Observations and Considerations

CMA and Duplication of Benefits

"⁸⁷ Appeals must explain the reason for the appeal, and should include documentation supporting the appeal request.⁸⁸ They must also be signed by the applicant (or person they have authorized to act on his/her behalf).⁸⁹ Once FEMA receives an appeal, the agency will either (1) contact the applicant to request additional information with a deadline of 30 days; (2) contact a third party to verify the supporting documentation; and/or (3) schedule an appeal inspection.⁹⁰ FEMA's appeal determinations are provided to the applicant within 90 days of receiving the written appeal letter, and the decision is final.⁹¹ IA applicants can also include local, state, territorial, and Indian tribal governments. For example, these nonfederal entities may appeal FEMA's decision to deny an application to provide Disaster Case Management (DCM) or the Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program (CCP). In these cases, the nonfederal entity must submit a written appeal to the IA Division Director (IADD) within 60 days of the date of the application decision,⁹² and the appeal must include additional information that was not included in the original application (e.g., a new budget and associated training and implementation plans) in the case of DCM,⁹³ or information justifying a reversal of the decision in the case of CCP.⁹⁴ Nonfederal entity applicants may also appeal other FEMA decisions, such as appeals related to disallowed costs or termination of approved DCM prior to the end of the period of performance.⁹⁵ SBA Appeals

SBA disaster loan applicants have six months to request a reconsideration of an SBA decline and have 30 days to appeal a subsequent SBA decline decision.⁹⁶

Policy Observations and Considerations Computer Matching Agreement (CMA) and Duplication of Benefits (DOB)

Following a major disaster, homeowners and businesses may have access to a number of resources to assist in the response, recovery, and rebuilding process. The range of resources includesinclude insurance payouts, state and local government assistance, charitable donations from private institutions and individuals, as well as certain forms of federal assistance. In addition to FEMA and SBA disaster assistance, individuals and households may be eligible for the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD's) Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program.³⁰97 Compensation from multiple sources that exceedexceeds the total loss amount is generally considered a duplication of benefits.⁹⁸ When duplication occurs, the recipient is liable to the United States to pay back the duplicated benefit.

⁹⁹

Section 312 of the Stafford Act requires federal agencies to ensure that individuals (and businesses) do not receive disaster assistance for losses for which they have already been compensated or may expect to be compensated.³¹ FEMA is the primary agency responsible for policy and procedural guidance on duplication of benefits. 100 The uniformity requirement set forth in Section 312 of the Stafford Act is located in FEMA regulation 44 C.F.R. §206.191, which establishes a delivery sequence of disaster assistance provided by federal agencies and organizations (see Figure 2).

Figure 2. Disaster Assistance Delivery Sequence

Delivery Sequence

44 C.F.R. §206.191(d)(2)

Source: Based on CRS interpretation of 44 C.F.R. §206.191.

Note: Housing assistance under Section 408—Federal Assistance to Individuals and Households includes assistance to individuals and households who are displaced from their predisaster primary residences or whose predisaster primary residences are rendered uninhabitable, or, with respect to individuals with disabilities, rendered inaccessible or uninhabitable as a result of a major disaster. Section 408 includes temporary housing assistance, as well as repairs. Other Needs Assistance (ONA) under Section 408 includes both SBA-dependent and non-SBA-dependent ONA. SBA-dependent ONA may be available for applicants who do not qualify for an SBA disaster loan, or whose loan amount is insufficient; this type of ONA includes personal property, transportation, and moving and storage assistance. Non-SBA-dependent ONA includes financial assistance for medical, dental, funeral, childcare, and miscellaneous expenses. Cora Brown of Kansas City, MO, died in 1977. She left a portion of her estate to the United States to be used as a special fund to relieve human suffering caused by natural disasters. For more information on the Cora Brown Fund, see https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1434639028239-341e17807cb06b0bf000d21cc7552b2c/CoraBrown-FactSheet-final508.pdf. An organization's position within the sequence determines the order in which it should provide assistance and what other resources must be considered before that assistance is provided. Further, each organization is responsible for delivering assistance without regard to duplication later in the sequence.

According to FEMA regulations, the agency or organization that is lowerlater in the delivery sequence should not provide assistance that duplicates assistance provided by an agency or organization higher in the sequenceearlier in the sequence (e.g., SBA disaster loans should be provided before SBA-Dependent ONA). When the delivery sequence has been disrupted, the disrupting agency is responsible for rectifying the duplication.

As mentioned previously in this report, SBA and FEMA have a computer matching agreement (CMA) to share real-time data on assistance provided to applicants. SBA also shares101 Both the SBA and FEMA also share relevant data with states, territories, tribes, and local government jurisdictions and voluntary agencies. In cases where the data contains personally identifiable information (PII), a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) must first be prepared and signed by both SBA and the authorized requesting party to help avoid duplication of benefits.³²

SBA and FEMA entered into the CMA pursuant to section (o) of the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. §552a).³³ As outlined in the September 25, 2015,—including personally identifiable information (PII) related to applicants—with local, state, territorial, and Indian tribal governments, and voluntary agencies.¹⁰² This is done to prevent a duplication of benefits, as well as to potentially enable applicants to receive additional disaster assistance.¹⁰³ In cases where the data includes PII, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) must first be prepared and signed by both SBA and the authorized requesting party (state, territory, tribe, local government, or voluntary entity) to help avoid duplication of benefits,¹⁰⁴ and FEMA must follow the routine uses outlined in the DHS/FEMA-008 Disaster Recovery Assistance Files System of Records Notice.¹⁰⁵ The SBA and FEMA entered into the CMA pursuant to Section (o) of the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. §552a).¹⁰⁶ As outlined in the SBA-FEMA Computer Matching Agreement Federal Register notice, "the financial and administrative responsibilities will be evenly distributed between SBA and DHS/FEMA unless otherwise set forth in this agreement."³⁴107 The Federal Register notice further stated that the CMA is "part of a government[g]overnment-wide initiative, Executive Order 13411—Improving Assistance for Disaster Victims (August 29, 2006) ... to ensure that benefits provided to disaster survivors by DHS/FEMA and SBA are not duplicated."³⁵

Thoughidentify and prevent duplication of benefits received by individuals, businesses, or other entities for the same disaster."¹⁰⁸ Although the CMA is part of a government-wide initiative to prevent duplication of benefits, it is solely used by FEMA and SBAthe SBA and FEMA. Some may argue that the CMA should also be used by other federal agencies that offer disaster assistance (such as HUD, which administers CDBG-DR). Others, however, might argue using the CMA with agencies other than FEMA and SBAthe SBA and FEMA is problematic or potentially ineffective. For example, HUD provides funds to state and local jurisdiction grantees. HUD does not have the individual award data to match up with SBA disaster loan applicant data to determine instances of duplication.

If Congress is concerned about the use of the CMA, it could investigate how itthe CMA could be used in conjunction with other disaster assistance programs. If CMA is not being universally used by federal agencies, Congress could investigate why it is not being used, evaluate challenges preventing its use, and mandate its use across the federal government. Additionally, Congress could use oversight to investigate how effective the CMA has been at preventing duplication since its implementation.

Similarly, Congress could also review how MOUs areapplicant information is being used by states, territories, tribes, local government jurisdictions, andlocal, state, territorial, and Indian tribal governments, as well as voluntary agencies, to determine the effectiveness of information sharing with regard to reducing duplication. SBA Income Test to determine their efficacy in reducing duplication. Congress could also consider making the MOUs a requirement for certain types of assistance or investigate other incentives that would induce the entities to sign MOUs.

SBA Income Test

As mentioned previously, both FEMA and SBA screen applicants according to minimum income levels (see Table 1). SBA creates the minimum income levels by applying a formula to the U.S Department of Health and Human Services Federal Poverty Guidelines. According to SBA Standard Operation Procedure (SOP), minimum income includes wages, alimony, child support payments, interest and dividend income from savings, retirement, pension, social security or disability payments.

According to SBA Memorandum 85-20 (see Appendix B), the income test table is used as a guide "for summary declines." It is unclear from SBA SOPs, however, if income levels are a hard limit to screen out applicants, or if there is some discretion in the process. Additionally, some might be confused about income standards based on publicly available information provided to disaster survivors. For example, in a news release published in the wake of the 2011 Missouri River flooding, FEMA stated "federal and state disaster assistance programs are available to all who suffered damages. Aid is damage-based, not income-based. The kinds of help provided depend on an applicant's circumstances and unmet needs"³⁶ In another news release issued May 9, 2014, FEMA stated that "income is not a consideration for FEMA disaster assistance."³⁷

On the one hand, it could be argued that the income test is being used by FEMA as a "pre-decisional" screening tool, and that ultimately, income is not a factor for FEMA grant assistance. Others may disagree and question why FEMA reviews household income if it has no bearing on grant assistance. If Congress does not want grant determinations to be based on income, it could prohibit FEMA from collecting income information and using it as a screening tool. If, however, Congress determines that grant determinations should be based, at least in part, on certain income levels, it could require FEMA to publish policy documents that specify how income is used to award grant assistance.discretion in the process.¹⁰⁹

Congress may also consider whether the SBA should continue to use established thresholds and formulas based on SBA Memorandum 85-20 to determine eligibility, or provide SBA with some measure of discretion in the process. Some might argue that uniformity is needed towould ensure equitable determinations. Others might argue that a one size-fits-all approach does not address special or mitigating circumstances. In general, eligibility for an SBA disaster loan eligibility is assigned to the person (or entity in the case of businesses) that legally owns or is responsible for the repair or replacement of the disaster-damaged property and is based on that person's ability to repay the loan. It could be argued, however, that the ability to pay a loan is not solely determined by income and that a range of factors and circumstances should be also be considered. For example, a retired person may not meet a certain minimum income level, but may own assets that could be liquidated for repayment purposes. Another example is the parent(s) of a university student who areis willing to co-signcosign for their child's SBA disaster loan. In both of these examples, strict adherence to an income test might prevent people from obtaining loans who may bedespite their being able to repay them through nontraditional methods. Congress may also consider whether the income test is an ineffectiveeffective screening tool for identifying applicants that meet the income test but cannot repay their disaster loan; for example, a person who earns more than the minimum income level, but has debt that impedes their ability to repay the disaster loan.

Finally, it is not clear if FEMA has access to the same income information as SBA. As mentioned earlier, minimum income includes wages, alimony, child support payments, interest and dividend income from savings, retirement, pension, social security, and disability payments. This information is gathered on SBA Form 5C and IRS Form 4506-T. Applicants, however, can fill these forms out after initially registering with FEMA. This could result in the reporting of different income levels. For example, the income reported to FEMA could be less than what is reported to SBA.

loan. If Congress is concerned about how determinations are madeincome factors into assistance determinations, it could consider requiring the SBA and FEMA to publish specific determination criteria in their respective regulations and policy guidance documents. Congress may also consider putting the income determination formula into statute. Appendix A. Relevant Duplication of Benefits determination formula into statute. Finally, Congress may decide whether it is best to have uniformity in the determination process, or whether to provide the agencies certain parameters that allow for some discretion when making grant and loan decisions.

Appendix A. Relevant Statutory Authorities and Regulations

The following is a listing of selected authorities and regulations pertaining to the duplication of disaster assistance benefits. This list should be considered representative, not exhaustive.

Stafford Act (42 U.S.C. §5155)

The Stafford Act is the primary statute governing the provision of federal disaster assistance, particularly FEMA assistance. Section 312 of the Stafford Act requires federal agencies that provide financial disaster assistance to ensure that individuals, businesses, or other entities suffering losses as a result of a major disaster or emergency do not receive assistance for losses for which they have already been compensated. Section 312 also requires the President to establish procedures that ensure uniformity in preventing duplication of benefits. Under Section 312, any person, business, or other entity that has received or is entitled to receive federal disaster assistance is liable to the United States for the repayment of such assistance to the extent that such assistance duplicates benefits available for the same purpose from another source, including insurance and other federal programs.

Stafford Act (42 U.S.C. §5174)

Section 408(a)(1) states that the President may provide assistance to individuals and households who, as a result of a major disaster, "have necessary expenses and serious needs in cases in which the individuals and households are unable to meet such expenses or needs through other means."

FEMA Regulation

Regulations

44 C.F.R. §206.191, which establishes the policies implementing Section 312 of the Stafford Act, and states that it is FEMA's policy to prevent the duplication of benefits between its own programs, other assistance programs, and insurance benefits. The regulation requires individuals to repay all duplicated assistance to the agency providing the assistance. Under 44 C.F.R. §206.191, a federal agency providing disaster assistance is responsible for preventing or rectifying duplication of benefits when they occur. 44 C.F.R. §206.191 also includes a "delivery sequence" hierarchy intended to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse of program assistance, including the duplication of benefits (see Figure 2).

44 C.F.R. §206.111 defines the financial ability of the applicant ofto pay housing costs. According to 44 C.F.R. §206.111 if the "household income has not changed subsequent to or as a result of the disaster then the determination is based upon the amount paid for housing before the disaster. If the household income is reduced as a result of the disaster then the applicant will be deemed capable of paying 30 percent of gross post disaster income for housing. When computing financial ability, extreme or unusual financial circumstances may be considered by the Regional Administrator."

Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. §636(b)(1)(A))

The first proviso in 15 U.S.C. §636(b)(1)(A) states that the SBA is authorized to make disaster loans "provided that[p]rovided, [t]hat such damage or destruction is not compensated for by insurance or otherwise."

Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. §647)

Section 18(a) of the Small Business Act (P.L. 85-536, as amended15 U.S.C. §647(a) prohibits the SBA from providing benefits that duplicate the assistance provided by another department or agency of the federal government. Section 18(a)It also states that if loan applications are refused or denied by a department or agency due to administrative withholding or due to an administratively declared moratorium, then no duplication is deemed to have occurred.

SBA Regulation

13 C.F.R. §123.101(c) states that applicants for SBA Disaster Loan assistance are not eligible for a home disaster loan if their damaged property can be repaired or replaced with the proceeds of insurance, gifts, or other compensation. These amounts must either be deducted from the amount of the claimed losses or, if received after SBA has disbursed the loan, must be paid to SBA as principal payments on the loan.

Appendix B. SBA Memorandum 85-20

Figure B-1. SBA Memorandum 85-20

Appendix C. FEMA and SBA Constituent Resources

The following provides various FEMA and SBA resources and information that may be of use for constituents in declared disaster areas.

Application Websites

FEMA Assistance:

https://www.disasterassistance.gov/

SBA Assistance:

https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/

Contact Numbers

FEMA

1-800-621-FEMA (3362)

TTY: 1-800-462-7585

SBA

1-800-659-2955

TTY: 1-800-877-8339

Frequently Asked Questions About FEMA Individual Assistance

https://www.fema.gov/news-release/2015/06/04/frequently-asked-questions-about-individual-assistance

individual-disaster-assistance

https://www.fema.gov/disaster-assistance-available-fema

https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1528985076829-340c58ded55b2a0e998aeb755f2478bb/IndividualAssistanceProgram.pdf

Frequently Asked Questions About the SBA Disaster Loan Program

https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/articles/sba-disaster-loans-faq.pdf

SBA Form 5C

https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/Documents/Disaster%20Home%20Loan%20Application%20(SBA%20Form%205c).aspx

SBA Form 5C in Spanish

https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/Documents/Loan%20Application%20Home%20Spanish%20(Form%205C).pdf

IRS Form 4506-T Instructions

https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/Documents/Request%20for%20Transcript%20of%20Tax%20Return%20(IRS%20Form%204506T).aspx?ff=false&sp=0

IRS Form 4506-T

https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/Documents/Request%20for%20Transcript%20of%20Tax%20Return%20(IRS%20Form%204506T).aspx?pt=Home&sp=1

IRS Form 4506-T Instructions in Spanish

https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/Documents/Instrucciones%20para%20Completar%20el%20Formulario%204506-T%20del%20IRS%202017.pdf

Author Contact Information

Acknowledgments

FEMA's Individual Assistance Division, under the Office of Response and Recovery, and SBA's Office of Disaster Assistance provided input and insight on the application process for Individual Assistance and SBA disaster loans.

Footnotes

For more information about Individual Assistance (IA)For more information about IA, see CRS Report R45085, FEMA Individual Assistance Programs: In Brief, by [author name scrubbed]Shawn Reese. For more information on SBA disaster loans, see CRS Report R41309, The SBA Disaster Loan Program: Overview and Possible Issues for Congress, by [author name scrubbed]Bruce R. Lindsay; and CRS Report R44412, SBA Disaster Loan Program: Frequently Asked Questions, by [author name scrubbed].

FEMA, IAPPG, p. 68. See Appendix C of this report for more information. See Appendix C of this report for more information. See also SBA, "The Three Step Process: Disaster Loans," August 2018, at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/Documents/Three_Step_Process_SBA_Disaster_Loans.pdf. Each category of IHP assistance (see Table 1) includes conditions of eligibility and associated, required documentation, as outlined in the IAPPG. For example, in order for a nonfederal entity to receive an award to administer Disaster Case Management (DCM) assistance: (1) the President must declare a major disaster; (2) the need for DCM services must be beyond the capabilities of the local, state, territorial, or Indian tribal government to provide; (3) the award package must be submitted within 90 days of the declaration; and (4) the governor or governor's authorized representative, tribal chief executive, or nonfederal entity must be authorized to receive the award in the FEMA-State Agreement (FEMA, IAPPG, pp. 177-178). The Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program includes similar requirements, such as: (1) the declaration requirement; (2) the requirement that the need exceed the capability of the local, state, territorial, or Indian tribal government to provide; and (3) that the application is timely, etc. (FEMA, IAPPG, p. 193). Similar to IHP assistance, Disaster Unemployment Assistance includes requirements such as (1) being a U.S. citizen, noncitizen national, or qualified alien; (2) providing proof of identity; (3) being unemployed/partially employed as a direct result of a major disaster; (4) being available for work and not having refused an offer of suitable employment; (5) being ineligible for regular unemployment insurance; and (6) filing timely (FEMA, IAPPG, p. 224). The provision of Disaster Legal Services, however, merely requires the applicant to be directly affected by a declared disaster, meet the definition of low-income, and lack the means to hire an attorney (FEMA, IAPPG, p. 219). FEMA automatically refers applicants that meet or exceed certain income levels based on the SBA minimum guidelines to the SBA Disaster Loan Program because SBA disaster loans come before ONA in the sequence of delivery of assistance, which is intended to prevent duplication of benefits pursuant to 44 C.F.R. §206.191(d). For example, it could be inferred that an individual who earns $18,210 or more per year would initially be referred to the SBA Disaster Loan Program to apply for an SBA disaster loan to repair and rebuild their home (see stage 2 of Figure 1). See also SBA, "Computer Matching Agreement," 84 Federal Register 2651, February 7, 2019; see also FEMA, IAPPG, p. 133. 42 U.S.C. §5155. There are numerous statutes and regulations that prohibit duplication of benefits with respect to disaster assistance. These are included in Appendix A. Minimum income includes wages, alimony, child support payments, interest and dividend income from savings, retirement, pension, social security, or disability payments.

1.	44 C.F.R. §206.32(e) defines an incident as "[a]ny condition which meets the definition of major disaster or emergency as set forth in §206.2 which causes damage or hardship that may result in a Presidential declaration of a major disaster or an emergency."
2.	When an emergency or major disaster is declared, areas of the impacted state are "designated" as having been deemed eligible for federal assistance (44 C.F.R. §206.2(a)(6)). A designated area is "[a]ny emergency or major disaster-affected portion of a State which has been determined eligible for Federal assistance." Designated areas may include counties, parishes, or tribal lands, as well as municipalities, villages, or districts (Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Individuals and Households Program Unified Guidance (IHPUG), FP 104-009-03, September 2016, p. 3, at https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1483567080828-1201b6eebf9fbbd7c8a070fddb308971/FEMAIHPUG_CoverEdit_December2016.pdf (hereinafter "FEMA, IHPUG"); FEMA, Individual Assistance Program and Policy Guide (IAPPG), FP 104-009-03, March 2019, p. 5, at https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1551713430046-1abf12182d2d5e622d16accb37c4d163/IAPPG.pdf (hereinafter "FEMA, IAPPG")).
3.
2.	13 C.F.R. §123.105(a)(1).
3.	13 C.F.R. §123.105(a)(2).
4.	13 C.F.R. §123.107.
5.	For more information on FEMA IA programs see CRS Report R45085, FEMA Individual Assistance Programs: In Brief, by [author name scrubbed]. See also FEMA, "Individual Assistance Program Tools," https://www.fema.gov/individual-assistance-program-tools. P.L. 93-288, Title IV, §§ 401- 426.
6.	Psycho-educational service consists of therapeutic treatment for disaster victims that provides information and support to help them better understand and cope with their situation.
7.	For more information on disaster unemployment assistance, see CRS Report RS22022, Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA), by [author name scrubbed].
8.	Stafford Act, §408(h)(1).
9.	Stafford Act, §408(h)(2).
10.	This information was provided by FEMA congressional liaison to CRS in conversations with the authors. This $8,500 is the result of average claims that are not covered by insurance or other disaster-related aid.
11.	Federal Emergency Management Agency, Fact Sheet: Individuals and Households Program, pp. 2-3, available at https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1502371943459-711a17671708a7ded53f0b22315f2597/FACTSHEETIndividualsandHouseholdIHP.pdf.
12.	For more information on major disaster declarations, see CRS Report R43784, FEMA's Disaster Declaration Process: A Primer, by [author name scrubbed]; and CRS Report R42702, Stafford Act Declarations 1953-2016: Trends, Analyses, and Implications for Congress, by [author name scrubbed].
13.	For more information on PA, see CRS Report R43990, FEMA's Public Assistance Grant Program: Background and Considerations for Congress, by [author name scrubbed] and [author name scrubbed].
14.	44 C.F.R. §206.40(a).
15.	Contiguous counties are eligible for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs). FEMA assistance is not provided to contiguous counties—only those counties designated in the declaration. The loan types are home disaster loans (Personal Property Loans and Real Property Loans) and business disaster loans (Business Physical Disaster Loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans).
16.	The criteria used to determine whether to issue a declaration include a minimum amount of uninsured physical damage to buildings, machinery, inventory, homes, and other property. Generally, this minimum is at least 25 homes or businesses (or some combination of the two) that have sustained uninsured losses of 40% or more in any county or other smaller political subdivision of a state or U.S. possession. See 13 C.F.R. §123.3(3)(ii) and 13 C.F.R. §123.3(3)(iii).
17.	Under an SBA declaration, applicants apply directly to SBA for disaster loans. The CMA with FEMA is not used in these situations.
18.	See "Constituent Resources" in the Appendix of this report for more information.
19.	Federal Emergency Management Agency, Individuals and Households Program Unified Guidance, FP 104-009-03, September 2016, p. 89, available at https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1483567080828-1201b6eebf9fbbd7c8a070fddb308971/FEMAIHPUG_CoverEdit_December2016.pdf.
20.	See "Constituent Resources" in the Appendix of this report for more information. See also https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/Documents/Three_Step_Process_SBA_Disaster_Loans.pdf.
21.	Puerto Rico residents must also fill out Modelo SC 2907: Release of Inheritance and Donation. See https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/Documents/Modelo%20SC%202907%20-%20Release%20of%20Inheritance%20and%20Donation%20(Puerto%20Rico).pdf.
22.	Generally based on the amount of disaster damages, minus any assistance received from insurance, FEMA grants, or other sources of recovery.
23.	Small Business Administration, SBA Disaster Loan Program: Frequently Asked Questions, August 31, 2017, p. 7, available at https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/articles/sba-disaster-loans-faq.pdf.
24.	U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Individuals and Households Program Unified Guidance, pp. 11-15, https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/124228.
25.	The poverty guidelines are updated on a yearly basis. The U.S Department of Health and Human Services Federal Poverty Guidelines are located at https://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines. They are also posted in the Federal Register: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, "Annual Update of the HHS Poverty Guidelines," 83 Federal Register 2642-2644, January 18, 2018, available at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/01/18/2018-00814/annual-update-of-the-hhs-poverty-guidelines.
26.	Minimum income includes wages, alimony, child support payments, interest and dividend income from savings, retirement, pension, social security, or disability payments.
27.	Appeals must be mailed to FEMA Individuals and Households Program National Processing Service Center, P.O. Box 10055, 20782-8055 or faxed to [phone number scrubbed].
28.	Under the joint option, the state, territorial, or tribal government administers ONA jointly with FEMA. FEMA is responsible for registration intake, inspection services, the processing system, mail processing, and accessible forms of communication. The state, territorial, or tribal government is responsible for manually processing awards, staffing, recovery of funds, case processing, appeals, and preparing closeout material. Under the State Option, FEMA provides ONA as a grant to the state, territorial, or tribal government; therefore, the state, territorial, or tribal government administers ONA. The state, territorial, or tribal government is responsible for all tasks associated with the administration of ONA. See Federal Emergency Management Agency, Individuals and Households Program Unified Guidance, FP 104-009-03, September 2016, p. 91, available at https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1483567080828-1201b6eebf9fbbd7c8a070fddb308971/FEMAIHPUG_CoverEdit_December2016.pdf.
29.	13 C.F.R. §123.13(e).
30.	For more information on the Community Development Block Program, see CRS Report R43520, Community Development Block Grants and Related Programs: A Primer, by [author name scrubbed]; CRS Report RL33330, Community Development Block Grant Funds in Disaster Relief and Recovery, by [author name scrubbed]; and CRS Report R43394, Community Development Block Grants: Recent Funding History, by [author name scrubbed].
31.	42 U.S.C. §5155. There are numerous statutes and regulations that prohibit duplication of benefits with respect to disaster assistance. These are included in the Appendix.
32.	The MOU template can be located at https://es.sba.gov/sites/default/files/articles/sba_disaster_data_sharing_mou_and_instructions_0.docx.
33.	As amended by the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988 (P.L. 100-503), and as amended by the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Amendments of 1990 (P.L. 101-508, 5 U.S.C. §552a(p) (1990)).
34.	Small Business Administration/Federal Emergency Management Agency, "Privacy Act; Computer Matching Agreement," 80 Federal Register 57902-57906, September 25, 2015.
35.	Ibid.
36.	Federal Emergency Management Agency, Commonly Asked Questions About Disaster Aid, November 15, 2011, available at https://www.fema.gov/news-release/2011/11/15/commonly-asked-questions-about-disaster-aid.
37.	Federal Emergency Management Agency, Myth vs. Fact: The Truth About Registering for Federal Disaster Assistance, May 9, 2014, available at https://www.fema.gov/news-release/2014/05/09/myth-vs-fact-truth-about-registering-federal-disaster-assistanceBruce R. Lindsay.
4.	U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), "Computer Matching Agreement Between U.S. Small Business Administration and U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency," 84 Federal Register 2649-2657, February 7, 2019, at https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-02-07/pdf/2019-01508.pdf (hereinafter "SBA, 'Computer Matching Agreement'").
5.	SBA, "Computer Matching Agreement," 84 Federal Register 2651, February 7, 2019.
6.	SBA, "Computer Matching Agreement," 84 Federal Register 2650-2651, February 7, 2019.
7.	SBA, "Disaster Loan Assistance: Federal Disaster Loans for Businesses, Private Nonprofits, Homeowners, and Renters, Home and Personal Property Loans," at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/Information/HomePersonalPropertyLoans.
8.	13 C.F.R. §123.105(a)(1).
9.	13 C.F.R. §123.105(a)(2).
10.	13 C.F.R. §123.107.
11.	For additional information on the FEMA IA programs, see the FEMA, IAPPG; CRS Report RL31734, Federal Disaster Assistance Response and Recovery Programs: Brief Summaries, by Maria Kreiser, Maura Mullins, and Jared C. Nagel; CRS Report R45085, FEMA Individual Assistance Programs: In Brief, by Shawn Reese; FEMA, "FAQs: Current Process for Tribal Governments to Request a Presidential Declaration," at https://www.fema.gov/frequently-asked-questions-current-process-tribal-governments-request-presidential-declaration; FEMA, "The Disaster Declaration Process," at https://www.fema.gov/disaster-declaration-process (hereinafter FEMA, "The Disaster Declaration Process"); 44 C.F.R. §206.40(a); and for more information about the disaster declaration process, see CRS Report R43784, FEMA's Disaster Declaration Process: A Primer, by Bruce R. Lindsay.
12.	The Individuals and Households Program is the only form of IA that may be authorized under an emergency declaration; however, all forms of IA may be available following a declaration of major disaster. FEMA, "The Disaster Declaration Process."
13.	FEMA, IAPPG, p. 6.
14.	FEMA, IAPPG, p. 6.
15.	42 U.S.C. §5183; 44 C.F.R. §206.171; FEMA, "Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program Fact Sheet," May 2018, at https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1528985113410-3a25afaac233c0ad90a0c377e29d7e73/CrisisCounselingProgram.pdf.
16.	44 C.F.R. §206.171(b)(5); 42 U.S.C. §5183. Psycho-educational service consists of therapeutic treatment for disaster survivors that provides information and support to help them better understand and cope with their situation (FEMA, IAPPG, p. 8). The FEMA IAPPG provides descriptions of the available services funded through the Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program (see FEMA, IAPPG, pp. 192-193).
17.	FEMA, IAPPG, p. 8.
18.	FEMA, IAPPG, p. 8.
19.	FEMA, IAPPG, p. 8.
20.	44 C.F.R. §206.141; 42 U.S.C. §5177; FEMA, IAPPG, pp. 8-9, 222.
21.	FEMA, IAPPG, pp. 8, 222.
22.	42 U.S.C. §5177; FEMA, IAPPG, p. 222; FEMA, "Disaster Unemployment Assistance Fact Sheet," May 2018, at https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1528984254955-49515ab3f8eeca0627f777a8abe4347a/DisasterUnemploymentAssistance.pdf. For more information on disaster unemployment assistance, see CRS Report RS22022, Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA), by Julie M. Whittaker.
23.	44 C.F.R. §206.164(e); 42 U.S.C. §5182.
24.	42 U.S.C. §5182; 44 C.F.R. §206.164; FEMA, IAPPG, p. 8; FEMA, "Disaster Legal Services Fact Sheet," April 2019, at https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1565183972050-1b178d085b84dd8949d4f8a1bdf8b2f2/FACTSHEET_DisasterLegalServicesFINAL2019Compliant.pdf.
25.	FEMA, IAPPG, p. 8.
26.	42 U.S.C. §5189d. Disaster recovery plans include "resources, decision-making priorities, providing guidance, and tools to assist disaster survivor" (FEMA, IAPPG, p. 7).
27.	FEMA, "Disaster Case Management Fact Sheet," April 2019, at https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1565183762458-bddf628680d4470b1a260b7c2ee8d51d/FACTSHEET_DisasterCaseManagementFINAL2019Compliant.pdf.
28.	FEMA, "The Disaster Declaration Process." Note that IHP is the only form of IA that may be authorized under an emergency declaration.
29.	44 C.F.R. §§206.110 et seq.; 42 U.S.C. §5174; FEMA, IAPPG, p. 6.
30.	42 U.S.C. §5174; 44 C.F.R. §206.110(a); see also FEMA, IAPPG, p. 6.
31.	FEMA, IAPPG, p. 6.
32.	Examples of Transportable Temporary Housing Units (TTHUs) include Recreational Vehicles (RVs) and Manufactured Housing Units (MHUs).
33.	FEMA, IAPPG, pp. 44-45.
34.	42 U.S.C. §5170b. Note that Stafford Act Section 403 assistance is not the focus of this report.
35.	SBA, "Computer Matching Agreement," 84 Federal Register 2651, February 7, 2019.
36.	SBA, "Computer Matching Agreement," 84 Federal Register 2651, February 7, 2019.
37.	FEMA, IAPPG, pp. 152-153.
38.	FEMA, IAPPG, pp. 155-156.
39.	FEMA, IAPPG, p. 158.
40.	FEMA, IAPPG, p. 159; 44 C.F.R. §206.119(c)(6)(i) and (d)(2).
41.	FEMA, IAPPG, pp. 137-139.
42.	FEMA, IAPPG, pp. 140-141.
43.	FEMA, IAPPG, pp. 143-144.
44.	FEMA, IAPPG, p. 148; FEMA, "Individuals and Households Program Fact Sheet," May 2018, at https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1528984381358-6f256cab09bfcbe6747510c215445560/IndividualsHouseholdsPrograms.pdf.
45.	FEMA's IAPPG provides a nonexclusive list of life-saving and life-sustaining items including "water, food, first aid, prescriptions, infant formula, diapers, consumable medical supplies, DME [durable medical equipment], personal hygiene items, and fuel for transportation." FEMA, IAPPG, p. 150.
46.	Clean and Removal Assistance is "limited to a fixed amount calculated based on the average cost of cleaning, sanitizing, and removing carpet in the geographic area." FEMA, IAPPG, p. 151.
47.	FEMA, "Notice of Maximum Amount of Assistance Under the Individual sand Households Program," 83 Federal Register 53281, October 22, 2018, at https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2018-10-22/pdf/2018-22884.pdf. The maximum amount of assistance is adjusted annually to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the Department of Labor (§408(h)(3) of the Stafford Act, P.L. 93-288, as amended; 42 U.S.C. §5174).
48.	§1212 of DRRA, P.L. 115-254. The Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 (DRRA, Division D of P.L. 115-254) amended the provision of housing assistance and ONA under Stafford Act Section 408—Federal Assistance to Individuals and Households by creating separate caps of equal amounts for housing assistance and ONA. Prior to the enactment of the DRRA, an individual or household could receive up to $33,300 (FY2017; adjusted annually) in financial assistance, which included both housing assistance and ONA (FEMA, "Notice of Maximum Amount of Assistance Under the Individuals and Households Program," 81 Federal Register 70431, October 12, 2016, at https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2016-10-12/pdf/2016-24626.pdf; 42 U.S.C. §5174(h) (see versions from 2017 and prior), at https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2017-title42/pdf/USCODE-2017-title42-chap68-subchapIV-sec5174.pdf).
49.	§1212 of DRRA, P.L. 115-254. Prior to DRRA's enactment, financial assistance to rent alternate accommodations was also subject to the maximum amount of financial assistance (§1212 of DRRA, P.L. 115-254). Note that the exclusion from the cap applies to both Lodging Expense Reimbursement (LER) and Rental Assistance (including Initial Rental Assistance and Continued Rental Assistance). Memorandum from Christopher B. Smith, Individual Assistance Division Director, to Regions I-X Regional Administrators, "Policy Changes to the Individuals and Households Program resulting from the Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018, Section 1212," March 25, 2019, last accessed July 8, 2019, at https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1557238500138-2c015fa2d9c8d73935ea392520d6a068/Chris_Signature_DRRA_1212_Memo_32519.pdf.
50.	The President may also issue emergency declarations, which provide federal assistance; however, only Public Assistance Categories A (debris removal) and B (emergency protective measures), and the Individual Assistance Individuals and Households Program, may be available following an emergency declaration (FEMA, "The Disaster Declaration Process"). Additionally, SBA disaster loans for individuals and households are only available following a Presidential declaration of a major disaster when IA is authorized.
51.	For more information on major disaster declarations, see CRS Report R43784, FEMA's Disaster Declaration Process: A Primer, by Bruce R. Lindsay; and CRS Report R42702, Stafford Act Declarations 1953-2016: Trends, Analyses, and Implications for Congress, by Bruce R. Lindsay.
52.	When an emergency or major disaster is declared, areas of the impacted state are "designated" as having been deemed eligible for federal assistance (44 C.F.R. §206.2(a)(6)). A designated area is "[a]ny emergency or major disaster-affected portion of a State which has been determined eligible for Federal assistance." Designated areas may include counties, parishes, or tribal lands, as well as municipalities, villages, or districts (FEMA, IHPUG, p. 3; FEMA, IAPPG, p. 5).
53.	For more information on Public Assistance (PA), see CRS Report R43990, FEMA's Public Assistance Grant Program: Background and Considerations for Congress, by Jared T. Brown and Daniel J. Richardson.
54.	44 C.F.R. §206.40(a).
55.	13 C.F.R. §123.3(a)(1).
56.	Contiguous counties are eligible for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs). FEMA assistance is not provided to contiguous counties—only those counties designated in the declaration. The loan types are home disaster loans (Personal Property Loans and Real Property Loans), which are discussed in this report, and business disaster loans (Business Physical Disaster Loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans).
57.	The criteria used to determine whether to issue a declaration include a minimum amount of uninsured physical damage to buildings, machinery, inventory, homes, and other property. Generally, this minimum is at least 25 homes or businesses (or some combination of the two) that have sustained uninsured losses of 40% or more in any county or other smaller political subdivision of a state or U.S. possession. See 13 C.F.R. §123.3(a)(3)(i) and 13 C.F.R. §123.3(a)(3)(ii).
58.	Under an SBA declaration, applicants apply directly to SBA for disaster loans. The CMA with FEMA is not used in these situations.
59.
60.	FEMA, IAPPG, p. 69.
61.	FEMA, IAPPG, p. 70.
62.	FEMA, IAPPG, p. 71.
63.	For example, the process by which individuals seek Disaster Unemployment Assistance depends on the requirements set forth by the state/territory unemployment insurance (UI) agency because the state/territory UI agency administers the program, when it is authorized. There are timely application requirements, as well as requirements that the application provide proof of employment/self-employment/or work that was to begin on or after the first day of the incident period; applicants must also satisfy conditions of eligibility (see the "Eligibility for FEMA Individual Assistance" section below). FEMA, IAPPG, pp. 222-224.
64.	The Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program includes two types of assistance, which are separate federal award programs: (1) Immediate Services Program (ISP); and (2) Regular Services Program (RSP). Both include different application requirements. For information on the ISP application requirements, see FEMA, IAPPG, pp. 195-200. For information on the RSP application requirements, see FEMA, IAPPG, pp. 204-208.
65.	FEMA, IAPPG, p. 220.
66.
67.	See https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/articles/f4506-t-2015-09-00.pdf.
68.	Generally, based on the amount of disaster damages, minus any assistance received from insurance, FEMA grants, or other sources of recovery.
69.	Small Business Administration, SBA Disaster Loan Program: Frequently Asked Questions, August 31, 2017, p. 7, at https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/articles/sba-disaster-loans-faq.pdf.
70.
71.	FEMA, IAPPG, pp. 47-48.
72.	FEMA, IAPPG, p. 47.
73.	FEMA, IAPPG, p. 72.
74.	SBA, "Computer Matching Agreement," 84 Federal Register 2651, February 7, 2019; FEMA, IAPPG, p. 133.
75.	SBA, "Computer Matching Agreement," 84 Federal Register 2651, February 7, 2019.
76.	FEMA, IAPPG, p. 133.
77.	The poverty guidelines are updated on a yearly basis. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Poverty Guidelines are available at https://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines. They are also posted in the Federal Register: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), "Annual Update of the HHS Poverty Guidelines," 84 Federal Register 1167-1168, February 1, 2019, at https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-02-01/pdf/2019-00621.pdf.
78.
79.	Minimum income includes wages, alimony, child support payments, interest and dividend income from savings, retirement, pension, social security, or disability payments.
80.	SBA, Office of Disaster Assistance, SOP 50 30 6, at https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/SOP%2050%2030%207.pdf.
81.	SBA, "Computer Matching Agreement," 84 Federal Register 2651, February 7, 2019.
82.	"Applicants must appeal initial eligibility determinations within 60 days of the date on their eligibility notification letter." FEMA, IAPPG, p. 65.
83.	For example, following an extension of the period of assistance, FEMA may charge rent if occupants remain in or maintain possession of a FEMA Temporary Housing Unit—a form of Direct Temporary Housing Assistance, and rent is based on the Fair Market Rent (FMR). Applicants may appeal decisions related to the amount of rent established by FEMA within 60 days of receiving FEMA's notice of the requirement to pay monthly rent. "Appeals must include documentation demonstrating the applicant does not have the financial ability to pay the established rent. Specifically, FEMA requires both of the following information: [1] Pre-disaster versus post-disaster monthly gross income of all household occupants age 18 or older; and [2] Pre-disaster versus post-disaster monthly housing costs, such as mortgage payments on the pre-disaster residence while it is being repaired." FEMA, IAPPG, p. 101.
84.	FEMA is responsible for identifying and recovering improper payments. §2(d)(2) of the Improper Payments Information Act of 2002 (IPIA, P.L. 107-300) defines improper payments as "any payment that should not have been made or that was made in an incorrect amount (including overpayments and underpayments) ... and includes any payment to an ineligible recipient, any payment for an ineligible service, any duplicate payment.... " For more information, see CRS Report R45257, Improper Payments in High-Priority Programs: In Brief, by Garrett Hatch. Applicable federal laws include the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 (DCIA), IPIA, Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Act of 2010 (IPERA), and Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Improvement Act of 2012 (IPERIA). If FEMA seeks to recover improper payments provided to individuals and households, the applicant may submit a written appeal or oral hearing request within 60 days of the date on the FEMA potential debt notification letter (FEMA, IAPPG, pp. 164-167). Additionally, Section 1216(a) of the Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 (DRRA, Division D of P.L. 115-254) allows FEMA to waive debts owed to the United States related to assistance provided under Stafford Act Section 408—Federal Assistance to Individuals and Households, and DRRA Section 1216(b) may restrict FEMA's ability to recoup assistance provided under Stafford Act Section 408.
85.	FEMA, IAPPG, p. 65.
86.	FEMA, IAPPG, p. 65.
87.	FEMA, IAPPG, pp. 65 and 75. Appeals may be submitted via mail or fax. Note also that appeals related to ONA that are administered under the Joint or State Option must be submitted to the state, territorial, or Indian tribal government. FEMA's regulation on the provision of ONA requires a state, territorial, or Indian tribal government to select one of three options for administration of the ONA: the FEMA Option, the Joint Option, or the State, Territorial or Indian Tribal Government Option. Under the FEMA Option, FEMA is responsible for all tasks associated with the administration of ONA. Under the State, Territorial, or Indian Tribal Government Option, FEMA provides ONA as a grant to the state, territorial, or Indian tribal government, which administers ONA. Under the Joint Option, the state, territorial, or Indian tribal government administers ONA jointly with FEMA, splitting responsibilities for various administrative tasks (44 C.F.R. §206.120; FEMA, IAPPG, p. 135).
88.	FEMA, IAPPG, p. 67.
89.	FEMA, IAPPG, p. 66.
90.	FEMA, IAPPG, p. 67.
91.	FEMA, IAPPG, p. 67.
92.	FEMA, IAPPG, pp. 185 and 217.
93.	FEMA, IAPPG, p. 185.
94.	FEMA, IAPPG, p. 217.
95.	FEMA, IAPPG, pp. 185 and 217.
96.	13 C.F.R. §123.13(e).
97.	For more information on the Community Development Block Program, see CRS Report R43520, Community Development Block Grants and Related Programs: A Primer, by Eugene Boyd; CRS Report RL33330, Community Development Block Grant Funds in Disaster Relief and Recovery, by Eugene Boyd; and CRS Report R43394, Community Development Block Grants: Recent Funding History, by Eugene Boyd.
98.	42 U.S.C. §5155; 44 C.F.R. §206.191.
99.	42 U.S.C. §5155; 44 C.F.R. §206.191.
100.
101.	SBA, "Computer Matching Agreement," 84 Federal Register 2651, February 7, 2019.
102.	FEMA, IAPPG, p. 12.
103.	FEMA, IAPPG.
104.	The MOU template can be located at https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:W5N0CAA42UYJ:https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/articles/SBA%2520Disaster%2520Data%2520Sharing%2520MOU%2520and%2520Instructions_0.docx+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-b-1-d.
105.	Department of Homeland Security, "Privacy Act of 1974; Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency—008 Disaster Recovery Assistance Files System of Records," 78 Federal Register 25282-25288, April 30, 2013, at https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2013-04-30/pdf/2013-10173.pdf.
106.	As amended by the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988 (P.L. 100-503), and as amended by the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Amendments of 1990 (P.L. 101-508, 5 U.S.C. §552a(p) (1990)).
107.	SBA, "Computer Matching Agreement," 84 Federal Register 2650, February 7, 2019.
108.	SBA, "Computer Matching Agreement," 84 Federal Register 2651, February 7, 2019.
109.