In federally declared disasters, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) can provide funding and technical help to state and local governments and certain private, non-profit groups. This funding will help to fix or replace damaged public properties such as roads, bridges, buildings and parks that have been damaged or destroyed.
FEMA also can offer help for emergency protective measures, debris removal, emergency communications and emergency public transportation. The categories for grant funding are as follows:
- Cat A - Debris Removal
- Cat B - Emergency Protective Measures
- Cat C - Roads and Bridges
- Cat D - Water Control Facilities
- Cat E - Public Buildings & Equipment
- Cat F - Public Utilities
- Cat G - Parks, Recreational Facilities, and Other Items
- Cat Z - Management Costs
The Public Assistance program serves as the direct contact between FEMA and the applicant. Reimbursement is available to all groups and areas meeting the requirements. Trained grant managers help applicants through the reimbursement process. In most cases, federal funding help is made available on a cost-sharing basis.
FEMA normally pays 75 percent of the eligible costs while the state and/or local government pays what is left. (Historically, the state has paid the remaining cost share in North Carolina.)
Events Receiving Public Assistance
| Declaration Number | Disaster | Declaration Date | Completed |
| EM8586-NC | Hurricane Ian | 10/1/2022 | |
| 4617 | Tropical Storm Fred | 9/8/2021 | |
| 4588 | Tropical Storm Eta | 3/3/2021 | |
| 4568 | Hurricane Isaias | 10/14/2020 | |
| 4543 | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding | 5/8/2020 | |
| 4487 | COVID-19 | 3/25/2020 | |
| 4465 | Hurricane Dorian | 10/4/2019 | |
| 4412 | T.S. Michael | 1/31/2019 | |
| 4393 | Hurricane Florence | 9/14/2018 | |
| 4285 | Hurricane Matthew | 10/10/2016 | |
| 4167 | Severe Winter Storm | 3/31/2014 | 9/29/2022 |
| 4153 | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides | 10/29/2013 | 9/29/2022 |
| 4146 | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides | 9/25/2013 | 9/29/2022 |
How to Apply
were rebuilt with a Public Assistant grant.
Before you can apply for FEMA public assistance, you must be a registered applicant. If you are already a registered applicant, you can go directly to the FEMA Grants Portal to apply. If you think your organization meets the criteria to be registered with FEMA, please have an official representative register in the FEMA Grants Portal and submit a New Registration request. You will need to provide all the information in one sitting. If you are a private nonprofit (PNP), please make sure you have your tax-exempt information and other supporting documentation ready to upload for FEMA’s review.
FEMA will advise you via email whether or not your organization was approved for Public Assistance funding in future events. It typically takes FEMA two to three weeks to review and email new organizations about their application’s approval.
If you are in a declared area you will be prompted to fill out and submit a Request for Public Assistance. If this form is not sent in by the deadline and the place is later found to have had major damage, it may be too late to apply.
If you are not able to get Public Assistance funding but feel you may qualify for another program, please contact a member of North Carolina Emergency Management or the Small Business Association to figure out what help you may be able to get for your group.
Forms
Public Assistance Forms | |
| Summary of Forms | Summary of Documentation |
| Force Account Equipment Summary | |
| Contract Work Summary | |
| Rented Equipment Summary | |
| Force Account Labor Summary | |
| Materials Summary | |
| Account Activation & Application Forms | Designation of Applicant's Agent & Applicant Assurances |
| Environmental & Historic Preservation | Environmental & Historic Preservation Questionnaire |
| Payment Forms | Payment Certification Form |
FEMA Public Assistance Grant Information
National Hours of Operation are 8 AM to 8 PM Monday through Friday.
Grants Portal/Manager Hotline: (866) 337-8448
Resources
Webinars and Resources
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