DENVER – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved $1.8 million in additional funding for COVID-19 response efforts in Utah. To date, FEMA has paid more than $91.3 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 $1.8 million was provided to the University of Utah Hospitals and Clinics to purchase PPE and medical supplies consisting of N95 and surgical masks, gloves, coveralls, gowns, hand sanitizer, safety glasses, IV extensions, disposable stethoscopes, and sanitizing wipes, in order to mitigate the spread at hospitals treating COVID-19 positive patients to mitigate the spread of the virus.
FEMA’s Public Assistance Program provides funding for emergency actions undertaken by communities to protect public safety, providing no less than a 75% federal share for eligible costs. President Biden has approved a 100% cost share for projects related to the pandemic response that include work completed between Jan. 20, 2020 and Sept. 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.