FEMA Public Assistance
As part of President Trump's emergency declaration on March 13, 2020, local governments and certain private non-profit (PNP) organizations are eligible to apply for reimbursement for eligible emergency protective measures taken to respond to the COVID-19 emergency under Category B of FEMA's Public Assistance Program.
State, territorial, tribal, and local government entities and certain private non-profit organizations are eligible to apply for Public Assistance. FEMA assistance will be provided at a 75 percent federal cost share. This assistance will require execution of a FEMA-State/Tribal/Territory Agreement, as appropriate, and execution of an applicable emergency plan. Local governments and other eligible public assistance applicants will apply through their respective state, tribal or territorial jurisdictions. Please see FEMA's press release and Fact Sheet for more detailed information.
Local governments and certain private non-profits are encouraged to carefully read the information including
FEMA's Procurement Under Grants document and begin thoroughly documenting all expenses. Please contact Julie Slevin, the State Public Assistance Officer 503.378.2235,
julie.slevin@state.or.us, if you have any questions or need additional information.
Public Assistance and Policy Guide Eligibility of Private Nonprofit Organization
COVID-19 Questions and Answers
COVID-19 Pandemic: Purchase & Distribution of Food Eligible for Public Assistance
Frequently Asked Questions
Emergency protective measures conducted before, during and after an incident if the measures:
- Eliminate or lessen immediate threats to lives, public health, or safety; or
- Eliminate or lessen immediate threat of significant additional damage to improved public or private property in a cost effective manner
Some of the detail actions are discussed in the Public Assistance and Policy Guide starting on page 57.
- Transporting and pre-posting equipment and other resources for response
- EOC related costs
- Supplies and commodities (page 63)
- Medical care and transportation (page 63)
- Evacuation and sheltering (page 66 & 67)
- Security, such as barricades, fencing and law enforcement
- Dissemination of information to the public to provide warnings and guidance about health and safety hazards using various strategies, such as flyers, public service announcement, or newspaper campaigns
- Mass mortuary services
This list is not all inclusive, jurisdictions might encounter unusual needs or costs and if that is the case, jurisdictions should document why they made the decision as the most prudent measure taken.
Each local jurisdiction should track their cost by activity. Emergency protective measures should be directly related to the prudent measures as provided by public health guidance.
For file management and tracking of costs, FEMA has available summary forms, you may use the FEMA summary forms or your own, as long as it captures the same information.
FEMA Summary Form
Other Resources
Adobe Connect Public Assistance Share Point Sign-in
CARES Act Telehealth or Telemedicine Infrastructure or Equipment
CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund Guidance for State, Territorial, Local, and Tribal Governments
Lost Wages Assistance
Procurement Under Grants Conducted Under Exigent or Emergency Circumstances
Region X Interagency COVID-19 Recovery Taskforce Newsletter
Region X Interagency COVID-19 Recovery Taskforce Newsletter 4th Edition
Trainings
Public Assistance Training Available from FEMA Independent Study
Grant Portal Training Available
