Applying for FEMA Public Assistance

After a Presidential Disaster Declaration, the usual procedure is for FEMA and SBA to set up Field Offices in the affected area(s). Both agencies issue press releases and widely disseminate them about how to contact their Field Offices. If you have difficulty in locating a FEMA Field Office, contact your state emergency management agency (see www.ready.gov/america/local/index.html).

1. When should we apply for FEMA Public Assistance?

After a disaster has been declared, FEMA and your state emergency management office will schedule Applicant Briefings in areas affected by the disaster. Notices will appear in local newspapers, on local radio stations, and possibly on the Web site of your state emergency management office. At Applicant Briefings, FEMA Public Assistance representatives and state officials will explain the process, and you will fill out and submit a Request for Public Assistance (RPA) application form.

Briefings take place anywhere from one to four weeks after a disaster has been declared. If you undertake emerency work (Category B) actions (such as having debris removed from your site or stabilizing your building or collection) before a briefing, be sure to thoroughly document your expenses and retain receipts.

If you are a private nonprofit institution (PNP):

Apply directly to FEMA for disaster assistance for emergency work (such as debris removal; see Immediate Needs Funding) after the disaster declaration has been made.
All PNP applications for disaster assistance for permanent work (such as repairing, restoring, or rebuilding a damaged facility) will be referred to the SBA to determine eligibility for low-interest loans. If the SBA declines the loan application or the damages exceed the amount of the loan, the application will automatically be sent to FEMA for further consideration.

If you are part of a state, local, or tribal government:

Apply directly to FEMA for disaster assistance. SBA does not assist state, local, or tribal governmental institutions. Check with your parent agency to see if they are filing an application on behalf of all local government entities that includes your organization. If this information is unavailable, submit the form yourself to be sure you don’t miss the filing deadline. Any duplicate RPAs will be consolidated during the Public Assistance RPA review process.

2. What forms do we need to complete?

All applicants (private nonprofit and governmental) must file a Request for Public Assistance (RPA), form 90-49. This form does not require that you describe specific damages—you may file it even if you haven't been able to perform a damage assessment. Download it at www.forms.gov, the Heritage Preservation Web site, or DocNet (you must download the DocNet software). Or you can contact your FEMA Joint Field Office.

Private nonprofit applicants must also file a FEMA Private Non-Profit (PNP) Facility Questionnaire, form 90-121. You can download this form from the Heritage Preservation Web site or DocNet. You must include the following with this form:

your institution's tax exemption certificate
your institution's organizational charter or bylaws.
proof of facility ownership, if owned (e.g., copy of deed or property tax assessment)
proof of legal responsibility to repair the facility (e.g., lease agreement)
a copy of your institution's insurance policy.

Submit these forms at the Applicant Briefing (or as instructed by your FEMA project officer). Deadlines for applying/filing for assistance will be publicized and are usually 30 days after the disaster declaration.

3. Where can we find help?

For FEMA Public Assistance policy guidance, click here.

4. What happens then?

See What to Expect after You Have Filed with FEMA.

Updated 6/1/07