FEMA COVID-19 Public Assistance Application Information & FAQ's
Contents
FEMA Application Information
Frequently Asked Questions
PoolCast Summary
1. FEMA Application Information
Washington Major Declaration Event Number:
Incident Period
- January 20, 2020 and continuing until further notice.
Federal Authority/Declaration:
- On 13 March 2020, President Trump declared a National Emergency invoking the Stafford Act.
- Pursuant to the proclamation, the National Health and Human Services was identified as the lead Federal Agency and FEMA, Cat B specifically, is included in the Federal response.
CLICK HERE FOR GUIDANCE!
Washington Military Department Guidance
2. Frequently Asked Questions
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There is a high likelihood that every county has incurred some eligible expenses during this COVID-19 pandemic. If you believe you have incurred any expenses, you should submit for recovery. |
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The sooner the better. There will be an overwhelming number of applicants across the Country for this assistance. We suggest getting the initial application and currently known supporting documents submitted right away. |
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FEMA categories range from A – G, each focused on a specific type of eligible work. CAT E, for example, deals with Presidentially Declared catastrophic physical disasters such as wildfires, hurricanes, and flooding. Cat B is specific to emergency protective measures necessary for health and safety of the public. The COVID-19 pandemic falls under Cat B. |
Answer: |
Specific to this pandemic, counties are performing a myriad of services, ranging from assisting with the need for increased security at medical provider sites (including your own medical services sites), quarantine management support, managing and assisting with various feeding programs, repurposing county property into temporary medical shelters including portable morgues, onsite testing (including drive thru services) and much more. Part of your work may include COVID-19 community wide crisis communication in various forms - television, social media, written communication, etc. These costs are eligible for consideration. Further, the CDC guidelines address sheltering pets whose owners are sick with the coronavirus, making your pet shelters potentially eligible for reimbursement.
Along with the emergency related work you are doing comes the need for specialized equipment including Personal Protective Equipment and hazmat suits for your employees. These costs are eligible for reimbursement.
Additionally, unexpected costs (directly related to COVID-19) may include: unbudgeted travel costs, rental of specialized equipment, overtime payroll for budgeted employees as well as unbudgeted employee payroll to fill in the gaps. (Yes. There is a distinction in eligible payroll for budgeted employee labor versus unbudgeted employee labor. More on this follows in #4.)
More can be found here: https://www.fema.gov/news-release/2020/03/19/coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic-eligible-emergency-protective-measures
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3. PoolCast Summary
TOPIC: FEMA Public Assistance Application - What's different with COVID-19?
DISCUSSION DATE: April 30, 2020
DISCUSSION HIGHLIGHTS
Jenifer Sliva, WCRP Deputy Director of Finance & Operations led a conversation about the FEMA Public Assistance Application Process. Special guest, Gary Urbas, Public Assistance Program Manager with Washington State Military Department Emergency Management Division, joined the conversation and answered questions about the application process and what's different with responding to COVID-19.
IMPORTANT DATE: Applicant Briefing for Counties, Cities, Special Purpose Districts will be taking place May 8, 2020 at 9:00am. Invitations on how to join the applicant briefings were sent to those who submitted the FEMA Public Assistance application through the Grants Portal.
PoolCast Q&A's on what is different for the FEMA Public Assistance Application Process
COVID-19 Disaster Resources Report by the WA Military Department as of 4/24/2020
< Visit WCRP's FEMA COVID-19 Public Assistance Application Information page
< Visit WCRP's County Connection page