FEMA updates disaster-assistance award and project thresholds

The Federal Emergency Management Agency increased several disaster-assistance amounts in notices published Nov. 6, setting Serious Needs Assistance at $820 and the minimum Public Assistance project worksheet amount at $4,300.

The $820 award amount applies to Serious Needs Assistance provided to an individual or household for a single emergency or major disaster declared on or after Oct. 1. The notice places that assistance within FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program.

The $4,300 figure is a separate threshold under the Public Assistance program, not an additional household award. FEMA said it is the minimum amount approved for any project worksheet for major disasters and emergencies declared on or after Oct. 1.

Another notice on the same Federal Register page sets the statewide per-capita impact indicator at $2.01. That adjustment applies to disasters with an incident start date on or after Oct. 1, a different timing test from the declaration date used for the household award and project worksheet notices.

FEMA said the annual adjustments reflect a 3.4% increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers over the 12 months ending in August. The notices were published in November, but specify October applicability dates; they do not announce payments to named applicants.

What we know / what we don't

What we know

• The Federal Emergency Management Agency has set its Serious Needs Assistance award at $820 for emergencies and major disasters declared on or after Oct. 1, according to a notice published Friday.

What we don't know

• No individual eligibility determination or disbursement independently checked.
• Inflation adjustment attributed to FEMA; underlying BLS release not separately reviewed.

The source record

Sources

1. Federal Emergency Management Agency / Government Publishing Office

Permanent link to this story