The State of Florida, due to the impact of Hurricane Michael, requested FEMA provide expedited funding to Public Assistance applicants.
Grants provided through FEMA’s Public Assistance Program reimburse eligible applicants for expenses caused by a federally declared disaster. Eligible applicants include state, local, and federally recognized tribal governments and any other political subdivision of the state. Certain private non-profit (PNP) organizations also may receive assistance.
FEMA and the State of Florida normally require Public Assistance applicants to provide all supporting documentation for possible reimbursement for completed work.
FEMA and the State of Florida relaxed this document requirement to provide initial funding to applicants for funds spent for emergency work due to Hurricane Michael.
- Through the Expedited Project process, applicants provide a summary of the costs instead of all timesheets, invoices and load tickets.
- Expedited Projects are obligated at 50 percent of eligible costs incurred for Debris Removal (Category A) and Emergency Protective Measures (Category B) conducted within the first 45 days following the disaster – Oct. 10 to Nov. 24, 2018.
- Emergency protective measures can include actions to remove the immediate threat to public health and safety, such as road blockades, sheltering and evacuations.
- Only projects totaling $128,900 and greater can be processed through the Expedited Project process. Applicants can have one project each for Categories A and B.
- On March 9, 2019, the President approved a cost share adjustment to authorize federal funds for Categories A and B, including direct federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program at 100 percent of the total eligible costs for this time period.
- Once the initial award of the expedited project is processed at 50% of the eligible costs incurred, applicants will need to provide all required documentation prior to the remaining funds being awarded in a project amendment.
- The timeline for projects being obligated depends on the complexity of the projects, collection of supporting documentation, environmental and historical laws, regulations, and other concerns.
Applicants control the process by providing the required documentation to support damage claims.
- FEMA awards funds to the state, which then disburses them to applicants. For additional information on obtaining funds, please contact your Florida Division of Emergency Management representative.
- More than 285 applicants have submitted requests for Public Assistance, the first step in the grant application process. FEMA staff are working with state and local officials to gather documentation for all eligible costs.
- To date, 49 applicants have requested 73 expedited projects. Five expedited projects have been obligated totaling $5,130,516 which have been disbursed to the state.
###