March 10, 2017
NR 001
News Release
Deadline for Requests for Public Assistance is April 11
Municipalities have another month to submit reimbursement grant paperwork
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – State agencies, local and tribal governments, as well as certain private nonprofit organizations, which experienced damage during severe winter storms between Jan. 3 and Jan. 12 have until April 11, 2017, to submit Requests for Public Assistance (RPA).
Submitting an RPA to the state is the first step in applying for funding under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Public Assistance program.
On Feb. 14, 2017, the President approved a major disaster declaration for the state of California. The declaration provides federal funds to help communities recover from the severe winter storms, flooding, and mudslides that occurred during the period of Jan. 3-12, 2017.
The declaration provides reimbursement under the Public Assistance (PA) program for eligible applicants in 34 counties: Alameda, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Contra Costa, El Dorado, Humboldt, Inyo, Lake, Lassen, Marin, Mendocino, Merced, Mono, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Sutter, Trinity, Tuolumne, Yolo, and Yuba.
The program reimburses state and local governments, federally recognized tribes and certain private nonprofit organizations for eligible expenses they incurred in protecting lives and property ahead of and during the storms as well as repairing eligible facilities afterward.
FEMA reimburses applicants for no less than 75 percent of eligible expenses – the other 25 percent is the non-federal share. The federal portion is paid directly to the state, which disburses the funds to the applicants.
In addition to Public Assistance grants, additional funds will be available in California under FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). It is a cost-share program administered by the state that provides supplemental financial assistance to public entities and certain private nonprofits to reduce risks to life and property in future disasters.
More information about the PA program is available at www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit. More information about the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program is available at www.fema.gov/hazard-mitigation-grant-program.
Additional information about the declaration is available at www.fema.gov/disaster/4301.
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