Unlike other federal assistance programs, individuals (such as property and business owners) or private nonprofits (with some exceptions) may not apply directly for HMA funding with FEMA. It is the role of states, federally recognized tribes and territories to apply for HMA funding in accordance with the instructions and principles outlined in the HMA Guide.
Therefore, individuals or nonprofits interested in implementing mitigation activities must work with their local governments (e.g., their local community planning office, emergency management office, hazard mitigation office, or, in certain cases, with eligible nonprofit organizations) to develop activities that could reduce property and other damage from future natural disasters in accordance with their local hazard mitigation plan. These local governments (acting as subapplicants) apply to their state, federally recognized tribes or territory for consideration of being included in a FEMA HMA application.
The states, federally recognized tribes and territories (acting as applicants or recipients) have established mitigation priorities in their hazard mitigation plans. They are tasked with facilitating the development of subapplications from local jurisdictions (subapplicants or subrecipients) and to apply, on behalf of the local jurisdictions, to FEMA HMA programs, based on state, federally recognized tribal or territorial criteria and available assistance.
FEMA only accepts applications submitted by states, federally recognized tribes and territories (applicants). Upon receipt of the application, FEMA conducts an eligibility review to ensure compliance with federal laws, regulations and other directives before it approves a subapplication and grants a subaward. If the application is approved, funding is issued to applicants/recipients who, in turn, work with subapplicants/subrecipients to complete the activities included in the applications.
Figure 1 outlines the application process from the perspective of the various stakeholders. The following sections outline in greater detail the roles and responsibilities of applicants/recipients and subapplicants/subrecipients involved in the HMA process.
