Federal Disaster Assistance to Individuals and Households in Presidential Declared Disaster Areas

 

To provide financial assistance, and if necessary, direct services to individuals and households affected as a direct result of a Presidentially-declared major disaster or emergency, who have uninsured or underinsured, necessary expenses and serious needs and are unable to meet such expenses or needs through other means. This program supports disaster recovery by providing the financial means or direct services to disaster survivors for Housing Assistance and Other Needs Assistance administered by FEMA. Performance metrics for this program are established in accordance with the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) of 1993, as amended by the GPRA Modernization Act of 2010, to include: ? Goal of 90% applicants satisfied with the simplicity of the Individuals and Households Program ? Goal of an average of less than seven days for the timeliness of providing Individuals and Households Program awards, excluding Critical Needs Assistance and Clean and Sanitize Assistance ? Goal of 68% applicants confident in FEMA Individuals and Households Assistance ? Goal of 70% applicants satisfied with FEMA?s Individuals and Households Program application process Data gathering methodology for measuring performance and results is conducted through quarterly surveys with disaster survivors.

General information about this opportunity
Last Known Status
Active
Program Number
97.048
Federal Agency/Office
Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security
Type(s) of Assistance Offered
B - Project Grants; C - Direct Payments For Specified Use
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2016 As of July 7, 2016, IHP awards for 2016 total $137,942,973.82. In FY 2016, $459,769,579.07 in awards were approved for IHP.
Fiscal Year 2017 IHP awards $414,567,661.08120
Fiscal Year 2018 IHP awards for 2018 as of 07/11/2018 are $632,266.10
Fiscal Year 2019 IHP awards for 2019 as of 06/25/2019 are $565,387,508.57
Fiscal Year 2020 As of June 2, 2021, $280,585,086 has been awarded for 15 major disaster declarations, totaling 595,354 registrations, excluding the COVID-19 related declarations which originally only provided funds under CFDA 97.050, Presidentially Declared Disaster Assistance to Individuals and households – Other Needs. As of July 13, 2021, $630,721,667 has been awarded for COVID-19 Funeral Assistance totaling 241,456 registrations, which was authorized under 57 separate declarations to provide IHP Funeral Assistance for individuals who died due to COVID-19. While these disasters were declared in FY 2020, Funeral Assistance was not provided until FY 2021. $9,336,964 was awarded on December 30, 2020 for the DR-4559-LA State-Administered Direct Housing Grant.
Fiscal Year 2021 FEMA provided Individuals and Households Program (IHP) assistance to eligible applicants in 25 major disasters which were designated for Individual Assistance, totaling $2,358,955,225.41 in assistance for FY 21.
Fiscal Year 2022 In FY 22, FEMA provided Individuals and Households Program assistance to eligible applicants in 19 major disasters which were designated for Individual Assistance. FEMA also provided financial assistance through the Other Needs Assistance provision of the Individuals and Households Program for funeral assistance costs specifically related to the Coronavirus disease. Total amount of assistance disbursed in the 19 major disasters and Coronavirus funeral assistance was $2,002,832,601.91
Authorization

Section 408 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, as amended, (42 U.S.C. 5174) and 44 C.F.R. §§ 206.110–120.
Who is eligible to apply/benefit from this assistance?
Applicant Eligibility
Individuals and households, in areas declared a major disaster or emergency by the President that include Individual Assistance, who have necessary expenses and serious needs they are unable to meet through insurance or other means, are eligible to apply for this program. All needs must be caused by the disaster. Basic conditions of eligibility include: the individual or a member of the household must be a citizen of the United States, a non-citizen national, or a 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 the applicant's necessary expenses and serious needs are directly caused by the major disaster or emergency. If the applicant meets the basic conditions of eligibility, FEMA may provide Housing Assistance when the disaster has caused damage that affects the habitability of the applicant's home. Some types of Housing Assistance are available to both pre-disaster homeowners and renters, such as Rental Assistance and Direct Temporary Housing Assistance, while other types are only available to pre-disaster homeowners, such as Home Repair Assistance and Permanent Housing Construction. FEMA may provide Other Needs Assistance to applicants who have necessary expenses and serious needs they are unable to meet through insurance or other means. Each type of Other Needs Assistance has additional eligibility requirements, which may include verifiable documentation of the disaster-caused expense. FEMA collaborates with the Small Business Administration to determine eligibility for Personal Property, Transportation, and a Group Flood Insurance Policy. Housing Assistance: 1) Temporary Housing Assistance (financial) - proof of primary residence, proof of occupancy, disaster-caused displacement, and/or paid receipts for Rent or Lodging Expenses; 2) Temporary Housing Assistance (direct) - Authorized on a disaster-by-disaster basis when applicants are unable to make use of financial assistance to secure temporary housingproof of primary residence, proof of occupancy, disaster-caused displacement; 3) Repair - primary residence, proof of occupancy and ownership, disaster caused home damage; 3) Replacement - primary residence, proof of occupancy and ownership, home destroyed by the disaster; 4) Permanent Housing Construction - primary residence, proof of occupancy and ownership, disaster-caused home damage, authorized on a disaster by disaster basis when located in an insular area outside the continental United States and in other locations in which no alternative housing resources are available, and types of temporary housing assistance are unavailable, infeasible, or not cost-effective. Other Needs Assistance: 1) Medical: disaster-caused expenses, and/or paid receipts (bills) for medical treatment; 2) Dental: disaster-caused expenses, and/or paid receipts (bills) for treatment; 3) Child Care: disaster-caused expenses and paid receipts or estimates for services; 4) Funeral: disaster-caused expenses, and paid receipts or estimates for services; 5) Personal Property: disaster- caused personal property damage; 6) Transportation: disaster-caused vehicle damage; 7) Group Flood Insurance Policy: Three years of a flood insurance policy premium for applicantswho may not otherwise be able to purchase a policy and receive flood damage in a Special Flood Hazard Area; and 8) Other Miscellaneous Expenses: the expense or need must be caused by the disaster and approved by FEMA. Section 1211 of the Disaster Recovery Reform Act authorized state, territorial, and tribal governments to apply for financial assistance to provide direct services for Temporary Housing Assistance to eligible individuals and households, in areas declared an emergency or major disaster by the President w here FEMA has determined eligible individuals and households are unable to make use of financial Temporary Housing Assistance and have a Housing Strategy approved by FEMA. State, territorial and tribal governments in areas declared an emergency or major disaster by the President in insular areas outside of the continental United States and in other locations where FEMA has determined no alternative housing resources are available, and temporary housing is unavailable, infeasible, or not cost effective, and have a Housing Strategy approved by FEMA, are eligible to apply for financial assistance to provide direct services for Permanent Housing Construction. Under Section 1211 of the Disaster Recovery Reform Act, FEMA could provide this assistance to a state, territorial, and tribal government as part of a pilot program which expired on October 5, 2020.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Restricted to presidentially-declared disasters or emergencies which designate Individual Assistance, such as an earthquake, hurricane, tornado, wildfire, or flood, etc. Program activates only after issuance of a presidential declaration. Housing Assistance, either Financial or Direct, may be provided for the following: (1) Temporary Housing, (2) Home Repair, (3) Home Replacement and (4) Permanent Housing Construction. Assistance not used for the specified purpose will be required to be returned. Other Needs Assistance may be provided for: (1) Medical and Dental, (2) Child Care, (3) Funeral, (4) Personal Property, (5) Transportation, (6) Group Flood Insurance Policy, and 7) Assistance for Miscellaneous Items.
Credentials/Documentation
Emergency Management and Assistance regulations at 44 C.F.R. ?? 206.110-120.
What is the process for applying and being award this assistance?
Pre-Application Procedure
Preapplication coordination is required. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. Not applicable
Application Procedure
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Based on damage assessments and an agreement to commit state funds and resources to the long-term recovery, the state or territorial Governor or Indian Tribal Chief Executive makes a request (through the FEMA Regional Administrator) for a presidential declaration for an emergency or major disaster. Requests for assistance must be made in accordance with 44 C.F.R. Part 206, except as provided in ? 206.24(d) for emergency declarations involving primarily federal responsibility. A presidential major disaster or emergency declaration must first be issued. Under pending regulatory changes, if a state, territory, or tribe were to apply for financial assistance to provide direct services for Temporary Housing Assistance or Permanent Housing Construction to eligible individuals and households, the state, territorial, or tribal government would have to have a Housing Strategy approved by FEMA, demonstrating its ability to manage the program, how assistance will be provided, and how it will comply with applicable federal and state, territorial, or tribal laws and regulations.
Award Procedure
A presidential disaster or emergency declaration must be issued before individuals and households can register an application for assistance with FEMA via a toll-free number, FEMA's internet application, or by visiting a Disaster Recovery Center. Assistance for real property damages will not be awarded to individuals residing outside of the area declared as a major disaster or emergency. Funds are allocated from the Disaster Relief Fund for use in a designated emergency or major disaster. Households receive assistance directly from FEMA or, pending regulatory changes, through the state, territory, or tribe for Direct Temporary Housing Assistance or Permanent Housing Construction. Other Needs Assistance is provided directly to the applicant by FEMA or by the state, territory, or tribe, as stipulated in the State, Territory, or Tribe Administrative Plan (see Assistance Listing 97.050 for additional information on state, territory, or tribe administration of Other Needs Assistance).
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines
Approval/Disapproval Decision Time
Varies, in general 7-21 days. Generally, applications for disaster assistance must be filed within 60 days of the disaster declaration.
Appeals
Appeals of program decisions must be submitted in writing within 60 days of the date of the notification letter via fax to 1-800-827-8112 or via mail to the following address: Individuals and Households Program National Processing Service Center P.O. Box 10055 Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055
Renewals
None.
How are proposals selected?
These general conditions must be met for an applicant to be eligible to receive IHP Assistance: 1.The applicant must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien. 2.FEMA must be able to verify the applicant's identity. 3.The applicant's insurance, or other forms of disaster assistance received cannot meet their disaster-caused needs. 4.The applicant's necessary expenses and serious needs are directly caused by a declared major disaster or emergency. Some types of assistance may have additional criteria.
How may assistance be used?
Restricted to presidentially-declared disasters or emergencies which designate Individual Assistance, such as an earthquake, hurricane, tornado, wildfire, or flood, etc. Program activates only after issuance of a presidential declaration. Housing Assistance, either Financial or Direct, may be provided for the following: (1) Temporary Housing, (2) Home Repair, (3) Home Replacement and (4) Permanent Housing Construction. Assistance not used for the specified purpose will be required to be returned. Other Needs Assistance may be provided for: (1) Medical, (2) Dental, (3) Child Care, (4) Funeral, (5) Personal Property, (6) Transportation, (7) Group Flood Insurance Policy, and (8 ) Other Necessary Expenses and Serious Needs: the expense or need must be caused by the disaster and approved by FEMA.
What are the requirements after being awarded this opportunity?
Reporting
Performance Reports: No reports required
Auditing
This program is excluded from coverage under 2 C.F.R. Part 200, Subpart F - Audit Requirements.
Records
Expenditure records (receipts) and related documents must be retained by the recipient for 3 years from the date of payment.
Other Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching is voluntary. 25%. Matching Requirements: 100 percent federal, not applicable. Other Needs - . The state, territory, or tribe provides 25 percent of the funds for the total number of assistance disbursed for the designated major disaster or emergency. The federal government provides the remaining 75 percent of the costs for assistance awards as well as the regulations, policies, and procedures that govern the assistance. The Governor or Indian Tribal Chief Executive may request a loan of the state, territory, or tribe’s 25 percent share.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Generally, one-time grant assistance with a total assistance period not exceeding 18 months. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Payment based on the need of the individual or household or the project need. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Payment based on Project need.
Who do I contact about this opportunity?
Regional or Local Office
See Regional Assistance Locations.
Headquarters Office
Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
500 C Street, SW, Sixth Floor
Washington, DC 20472-3100 US
FEMA-HQ-CSS@dhs.gov
Phone: (202) 212-1000
Website Address
http://www.FEMA.gov
Financial Information
Account Identification
70-0702-0-1-453
Obligations
(Project Grants) FY 22$1,363,529,527.00; FY 23 est $136,529,527.00; FY 24 est $1,551,930,432.00; FY 21$280,585,086.00; FY 20$764,873,922.00; FY 19$2,437,746,394.00; FY 18$2,437,746,395.00; FY 17$1,537,114,703,522.00; FY 16$1,048,419,969.00; -
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
o FY 22 All Disasters: Range - $50-$77,455.90; Average $1,721.90; Total $2,002,832,601.91 o FY 23 All Disasters: Actuals to Date: Range - $50-$83,954.00; Average $4,033.35; Total $243,553,830.73 o FY 24 All Disasters: Estimate is based on total obligations for FY16-19, to reflect average spending for pre-COVID timeframes. The total FY obligations for FY16-19 range from as low as $645,546,546 in FY19 to as high as $2,627,680,701 in FY18. The variance from FY to FY is based on how many IA declarations are made within a FY and the scope or severity of the disasters.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Emergency Management and Assistance regulations, 44 CFR ?? 206.110-120.
Examples of Funded Projects
Fiscal Year 2019 FEMA provided Individuals and Households Program assistance to eligible applicants in 13 Major Disaster Declarations which were designated for Individual Assistance.
Fiscal Year 2020 In 2020, FEMA approved the State of Louisiana’s State-Administered Direct Housing Grant application in response to Hurricane Laura (DR-4559-LA). Recognizing the necessity of the State of Louisiana to establish procedures for assessing the unmet needs for housing and supporting services for families and persons in need, the State of Louisiana was approved for a grant to support FEMA in joint recertifications of occupants in all forms of Direct Temporary Housing Assistance. The State of Louisiana supports disaster survivors in the identification of potential housing and recovery issues and facilitate problem-solving and partnerships to support the recovery needs by sharing state-wide information and utilizing community resources. The State also validates properties listed on the State-supported rental resource portal. This approval was granted as a pilot program and was authorized by Section 1211 of the 2018 Disaster Recovery Reform Act. The authority for state, territorial, or tribal governments to apply for a State-Administered Direct Housing Grant during this pilot period expired on October 5, 2020. FEMA is currently pursuing the regulatory changes needed to permanently implement this authority.
Fiscal Year 2021 In 2021, FEMA provided Individuals and Households Program (IHP) assistance to eligible applicants in 25 major disasters which were designated for Individual Assistance. Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA provided financial assistance through the Other Needs Assistance provision of the IHP for funeral assistance costs specifically related to the Coronavirus disease. This assistance was provided through 56 separate major disaster declarations, which included all U.S. states and territories.
Fiscal Year 2022 In FY 22, FEMA provided Individuals and Households Program assistance to eligible applicants in 19 major disasters that were designated for Individual Assistance. Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA provided financial assistance through the Other Needs Assistance provision of the Individuals and Households Program for funeral assistance costs specifically related to the Coronavirus disease. This assistance was provided through 56separate major disaster declarations which included all U.S. states and territories. FEMA is also providing financial assistance through the Other Needs Assistance provision of the Individuals and Households Program for funeral assistance under DR-4694-NY, which authorized this form of IHP assistance for the severe winter storm and snowstorm.

 


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