DENVER – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has provided $31.6 million in additional funding for COVID-19 response efforts in Utah. To date, FEMA has provided more than $57.7 million in Public Assistance funding for COVID-19 response in Utah. The assistance was made available under a major disaster declaration issued April 4, 2020.
The $31.6 million was provided to the Utah Department of Health to assist in the distribution and administration of COVID 19 Vaccinations. Funds were provided to cover labor costs; purchase materials and supplies for vaccination clinics including tents, heaters, freezers, bulk meals, medical supplies and equipment; and contract services for dissemination of public information regarding vaccinations, interpretation, and translation services. Additionally, funds were provided to contract clinical and non-clinical support staff to support established mass vaccination clinics, and forthcoming mobile vaccination clinics implemented to reach the State’s underserved and most vulnerable populations.
FEMA’s Public Assistance Program provides funding for emergency actions undertaken by communities to protect public safety, providing no less than a 75 percent federal share for eligible costs. President Biden has approved a 100 percent cost share for projects related to the pandemic response that include work completed between January 20, 2020 and September 30, 2021.
For the COVID-19 response, FEMA has simplified the Public Assistance application and funding process to address the magnitude of this event and to allow local officials to receive eligible funding more quickly. These reimbursements play a critical role as state, local and tribal officials work tirelessly to assist their communities during this response.
Additional information about FEMA’s Public Assistance program can be found at www.fema.gov/assistance/public.