Overview

This fact sheet explains a revision to 44 CFR § 206.228(a)(2), which affects the eligibility of certain costs under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Public Assistance (PA) Program.  The revised rule allows for the reimbursement of the straight- or regular-time salaries and benefits of an eligible applicant’s permanently employed personnel who perform disaster-related debris and wreckage removal work.  The rule is applicable for all emergencies or major disasters declared on or after October 27, 2012, in response to Hurricane Sandy, for work performed under sections 403(a)(3)(A), 502(a)(5), and 407 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act), 42 U.S.C. 5170b(a)(3)(A), 5192(a)(5), 5173.  This rule applies to State and local governments, Indian Tribes or authorized Tribal organizations, and certain private nonprofit (PNP) organizations.  


Eligible Assistance

FEMA may reimburse the straight- or regular-time salaries and benefits of an applicant’s permanently employed staff that performs eligible debris-related work over a period not to exceed 30 consecutive calendar days.  Applicants may choose one 30 day period of eligibility.  To be eligible for reimbursement, the hours claimed must be related solely to eligible debris activities resulting from Hurricane Sandy.  FEMA will not reimburse an applicant for its normally scheduled waste pick up and disposal activities, even if it is done concurrently with Hurricane Sandy debris removal.  

Eligible debris removal work may be captured under Category A (debris removal and disposal, and monitoring activities) or Category B (debris clearance activities).  However, straight- or regular-time salaries for the performance of other Category B Emergency Protective Measures are not eligible, with the exception of costs associated with host state evacuation and sheltering, as established in 44 CFR § 206.202(f)(ii).  Overtime costs for force account labor I nvolved in eligible disaster-related debris and wreckage removal work continue to be eligible for reimbursement, as do costs associated with contract labor.  

The applicant must document all costs related to the work performed, to include the specific activities performed by the force account labor, rates, and the volume of debris removed.  Documentation should differentiate between overtime and straight- or regular-time work and costs.  





___________________________	      ____________
Deborah Ingram				Date
Assistant Administrator
Recovery Directorate

RECOVERY FACT SHEET 9580.215
HURRICANE SANDY: DEBRIS REMOVAL FORCE ACCOUNT LABOR COSTS





RECOVERY
FACT SHEET
9580.215

Hurricane Sandy: Debris Removal Force Account Labor Costs