SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Private nonprofit organizations, including houses of worship and other faith-based organizations, may be eligible to apply for FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) program to help recover from damage in the California counties affected by the severe winter storms and flooding in February and March. These counties include: Alpine, Fresno, Kern, Kings, Mariposa, Merced, San Benito. Sierra, Trinity and Tuolumne.
Funding from FEMA’s PA program can be used to reimburse state and local governments and certain nonprofits for the cost of emergency protective measures, debris removal and restoring disaster-damaged roads, bridges and public facilities.
Private nonprofits that provide critical services, such as hospitals and other medical treatment facilities and utilities can apply directly to FEMA. Other examples of critical services include water, sewer and electrical systems; private schools that provide elementary or secondary education or institutions of higher education.
Private nonprofits that provide non-critical, essential social services, such as senior citizen and community centers must wait to see if they are eligible for a low-interest disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration first. Other examples of non-critical, essential services include educational enrichment activities, custodial and day care services, disability residential services, assisted living and low-income housing, homeless shelters and rehabilitation services and performing and community arts centers.
Houses of Worship owned and operated by a nonprofit are considered non-critical essential services and may receive FEMA PA grants if they also apply for a low-interest disaster loan from the SBA. Like other non-critical private nonprofits, if they are eligible for a loan and decline, they will not be entitled to FEMA grants. FEMA cannot duplicate benefits from other agencies or organizations. If they are denied a loan or it does not cover the cost of all repairs, FEMA may provide funding to cover what SBA does not.
SBA’s can provide as much as $2 million in loans for damaged real estate and the replacement of property. The interest rate is 2.375 percent with terms up to 30 years.
All applicants are encouraged to make a Request for Public Assistance (RPA) as soon as possible by contacting their local emergency management office. The deadline to file an RPAs is 30 days from the date of the federal declaration. To file a Request for Public Assistance or for more information, email: DisasterRecovery@CalOES.CA.gov
The deadline to file a Request for Public Assistance in Calaveras, Los Angeles, Monterey and Tulare counties is May 3, 2023. The deadline to file a Request for Public Assistance in Alpine, Fresno, Kings, Merced, Sierra, Trinity, Kern, Mariposa, San Benito and Tuolumne counties is May 14, 2023.
The deadline to apply to SBA for property damage is June 2, 2023. The deadline to apply for economic injury is Jan. 3, 2024.
Applicants should make sure to file a Request for Public Assistance to get into the Public Assistance system by the deadline even if they have to apply for an SBA loan and wait for a determination.