The Public Assistance (PA) program provides grants to state, tribal, territorial and local governments, and certain private nonprofit (PNP) organizations so that communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies. Nationally, the PA program is FEMA’s largest grant program, funding on average 51 percent of all FEMA grants and providing on average $4.7 billion per year of funding.
The PA program funds the repair, restoration, reconstruction, or replacement of a facility or infrastructure that is damaged or destroyed by disaster. The PA program also encourages protection of these damaged facilities and infrastructure from future events by providing assistance for hazard mitigation measures during the recovery process.
Application Deadline and Process
The Florida Division of Emergency Management requests state, local or tribal governments and certain private nonprofit organizations that experienced damage from Hurricane Irma submit their requests for reimbursement by Nov. 5. Requests received by Nov. 5 will be forwarded by the Florida Division of Emergency Management to FEMA on or before FEMA’s Nov. 10 deadline.
Eligible Florida Counties
All 67 counties in Florida are designated for PA funding for debris removal and emergency protective measures. Forty-seven counties also are eligible for PA funding to repair, restore, reconstruct or replace a facility or infrastructure. Those counties are Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Clay, Collier, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Nassau, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter, Taylor, Union, Volusia and Wakulla. Other Florida counties may become eligible for this additional PA funding if the state makes that request.
To Learn More about Public Assistance Funding
The Florida Division of Emergency Management is conducting briefings about the PA Program. The briefing format is a conference call and web seminar where applicants can learn about the program, including its procurement and reporting requirements and delivery model.
More information about the PA Program is available at fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit.
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
In addition to PA, additional funds will be available in Florida under FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program—a cost-share program administered by the state that provides supplemental financial assistance to public entities and certain PNP organizations to reduce risks to life and property in future disasters.
More information about the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program is available at fema.gov/hazard-mitigation-grant-program.
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