For other versions of this document, see http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31734 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Order Code RL31734 Federal Disaster Recovery Programs: Brief Summaries Updated March 18, 2008 Mary Jordan Information Research Specialist Knowledge Services Group Federal Disaster Recovery Programs: Brief Summaries Summary This report summarizes principal federal disaster assistance programs for possible use by Members of Congress and their staff in helping address the needs of constituents. A number of federal agencies provide assistance to individual victims; state, territorial, and local governments; and non-governmental entities, following a disaster. The Federal forms of assistance include, grants, loans, loan guarantees, temporary housing, and counseling. The programs summarized in this report fall into two broad categories. First are programs specifically for disaster situations; most of these programs are administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration (SBA). Second are general assistance programs that may be used in either disaster situations, or to meet regular service needs. Many federal agencies, including the Departments of Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, and Justice, administer programs that may be brought to bear under certain circumstances. The programs may also be classified by recipients: primarily individuals, state and local governments, or businesses. These programs address such short-term needs as food and shelter, and such long-term needs as repair of public utilities. This report includes a list of CRS reports about disaster assistance and assistance for victims of recent hurricanes. It also includes a list of federal agencies' websites established specifically to respond to disasters, offering updates on recovery efforts, and providing a catalog of federal assistance programs. This report will be updated as significant legislative or administrative changes occur. Contents Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Program Selection Criteria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Federal Disaster Recovery Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Assistance for Individuals and Families . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Individuals and Households Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Disaster Unemployment Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Dislocated Worker Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Public Safety Officers' Educational Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Physical Disaster Loans -- Residential . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Cora Brown Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Assistance for Victims of Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Crisis Counseling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Disaster Legal Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Tax Relief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Assistance for State, Territorial, and Local Governments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Public Assistance Grants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Hazard Mitigation Grants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Community Disaster Loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Reimbursement for Firefighting on Federal Property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Fire Management Assistance Grant Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Assistance for Small Businesses & Nonprofit Organizations . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Economic Injury Disaster Loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Physical Disaster Loans -- Businesses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Emergency Loans for Farms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Public Assistance Grants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 General Assistance Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Other Sources of Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Selected CRS Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Federal Agency Websites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 FEMA Website . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Ralph Chite (RSI), Celinda Franco (DSP), Pamela Jackson (G&F), Nathan James (DSP), Natalie Love (G&F), Francis X. McCarthy (G&F), Nonna Noto (G&F), Blake Naughton (DSP), Ramya Sundararaman (DSP), Eric Weiss (G&F) and Julie Whittaker (DSP) were consulted in the preparation of this report. Federal Disaster Recovery Programs: Brief Summaries Introduction Federal agencies provide a range of assistance to individual victims; state, territorial, and local governments; and non-governmental entities after major disasters, including certain terrorist attacks. Types of aid include, but are not limited to, technical assistance, loans and loan guarantees, grants, temporary housing, access to counseling professionals, and medical assistance. The full range of federal disaster relief assistance is available after the President issues a major disaster declaration pursuant to Stafford Act authority.1 More limited aid is available under a Stafford Act emergency declaration2 or a declaration issued by a department or agency head.3 This report identifies programs pertinent to the recovery process. It provides brief descriptive information to help congressional offices determine which programs bear further consideration in the planning, organization, or implementation of recovery operations. Most of the programs listed here are authorized as assistance programs and listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA). The list does not include ad hoc assistance that some agencies provide in emergency or disaster situations. Program Selection Criteria Programs discussed in this report satisfy one or more of the following criteria: ! Congress expressly designated the program as a disaster relief or recovery program. ! The program is applicable to disaster situations, even if not specifically authorized for that purpose. 1 42 U.S.C. §5170. For more information on the Stafford Act, see CRS Report RL33053, Federal Stafford Act Disaster Assistance: Presidential Declarations, Eligible Activities, and Funding, by Keith Bea. 2 42 U.S.C. §5191. 3 The Administrators of the Small Business Administration, Farm Services Agency, and the Secretaries of Agriculture and Transportation, within statutory limitations, may issue disaster declarations for purposes of providing assistance solely from their agencies. Citations to these authorities are presented in the relevant program summaries. CRS-2 ! The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other federal agencies have used the program as an emergency response resource. ! The program is potentially useful for addressing short-term and long-term recovery needs (e.g., assistance with processing survivor benefits or repair of public facilities). Most of the programs listed in this report are specifically authorized for disaster situations. General assistance programs that may apply to disaster situations are described at the end of this report. Both types of programs can be classified by recipients: primarily individuals, state and local governments, or businesses. As Congress and the Administration respond to domestic needs, particularly should other terrorist attacks occur, some of these programs may be altered. For the most up-to-date information on a particular program, please contact the listed CRS analyst, or department or agency program officers. Federal Disaster Recovery Programs Assistance for Individuals and Families Individuals and Households Program. The Individuals and Households Program (IHP) is the primary vehicle for FEMA assistance to individuals after the President issues a major disaster declaration. Congress appropriates money for the IHP assistance (and other aid authorized by the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act) to the Disaster Relief Fund. Grants assist disaster victims whose needs cannot be met through other forms of assistance, such as insurance or other federal programs. Program funds have a wide range of eligible uses, including temporary housing, limited housing repair or replacement, and uninsured medical, dental, or other personal needs (generally referred to as Other Needs Assistance [ONA]). There is a statutory matching requirement that states contribute 25% of funds. Grants may not exceed $28,200 per individual or household, adjusted annually to reflect consumer price changes; IHP assistance is generally limited to a period of 18 months. (Also see "Physical Disaster Loans -- Residential," below, for additional assistance for homeowners and renters.) Agency: Federal Emergency Management Agency Authority: 42 U.S.C. §§ 5174-5188 Regulation: 44 CFR §§206.110-120 Phone: Office of Congressional Affairs, 202-646-4500 Website: [http://www.fema.gov/media/fact_sheets/individual- assistance.shtm] CFDA: 97.048-97.050 CRS Contact: Francis X. McCarthy, 202-707-9533 Disaster Unemployment Assistance. Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) provides benefits to previously employed or self-employed individuals rendered jobless as a direct result of a major disaster, and who are not eligible for regular federal/state unemployment compensation (UC). In certain cases, individuals CRS-3 who have no work history or are unable to work may also be eligible for DUA benefits. DUA is federally funded through FEMA, but is administered by the Department of Labor and state UC agencies. Generally, individuals must apply for benefits within 30 days after the date the state announces availability of DUA benefits. When applicants have good cause, they may file claims after the 30-day deadline. This deadline may be extended; however, initial applications filed after the 26th week following the declaration date will not be considered. When a reasonable comparative earnings history can be constructed, DUA benefits are determined in a similar manner to regular state UC benefit rules. The minimum weekly DUA benefit is required to be half of the average weekly UC benefit for the state where the disaster occurred. DUA assistance is available to eligible individuals as long as the major disaster continues, but no longer than 26 weeks after the disaster declaration. For more information, see CRS Report RS22022, Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA), by Julie M. Whittaker. Agency: Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 5177 Regulation: 20 CFR§ 625; 44 CFR § 206.141 Phone: State UC Agency, see [http://www.servicelocator.org/OWSLinks.asp] Website: [http://ows.doleta.gov/unemploy/disaster.asp] CFDA: 97.034 CRS Contact: Julie Whittaker, 202-707-2587 Dislocated Worker Activities. The dislocated worker program provides training and related assistance to persons who have lost their jobs and are unlikely to return to their current jobs or industries. Of the funds appropriated, 80% are allocated by formula grants to states and local entities; 20% are reserved by the Secretary of Labor for activities including national emergency grants to states or local entities. One type of national emergency grant is Disaster Relief Employment Assistance, under which funds can be made available to states to employ dislocated workers in temporary jobs involving recovery after a national emergency. An individual may generally earn up to $12,000, excluding the cost of fringe benefits, and be employed for up to six months or 1,040 hours, whichever is longer. An individual may earn the full $12,000 in less than six months or 1,040 hours by working in a higher skilled position for which a higher hourly wage is paid. There are no matching requirements for Workforce Investment Act programs. Agency: Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration Authority: 20 U.S.C. § 9201 Regulation: 20 CFR § 671 Phone: See listing of State Dislocated Worker/Rapid Response/Coordinators [http://www.doleta.gov/layoff/rapid_coord.cfm] Website: [http://www.doleta.gov/layoff/workers.cfm] CFDA: 17.260 CRS Contact: Blake Naughton, 202-707-0376 CRS-4 Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program. This program provides benefits (lump-sum payment) of $303,064 as of FY2008 to spouses and children of public safety officers who have been permanently disabled or have lost their lives while in the line of duty. The benefit is adjusted each year to reflect the percentage of change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). There is no matching requirement for this program. Agency: Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance Authority: 42 U.S.C. §3796 Regulation: 28 CFR § 32.31 et seq. Phone: Office of Justice Programs, 202-307-0635 Website: [http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/grant/psob/psob_main.html] CFDA: 16.571 CRS Contact: Nathan James, 202-707-0264 Public Safety Officers' Educational Assistance Program. This program provides an educational assistance allowance to eligible survivors of public safety officers whose death or total permanent disability are the direct and proximate result of an injury sustained in the line of duty. Funds may be used only to defray educational expenses, such as tuition, room and board, and books. There is no matching requirement for this program. Agency: Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 3796d Regulation: 28 CFR § 32.31 et seq. Phone: Office of Justice Programs, 202-307-0635 Website: [http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/grant/psob/psob_education.html] CFDA: 16.615 CRS Contact: Nathan James, 202-707-0264 Physical Disaster Loans -- Residential. This program provides loans to homeowners and renters in declared disaster areas for uninsured physical damage and losses. Individuals may apply for personal property disaster loans of up to $40,000. Homeowners may apply for real property disaster loans of up to $200,000. Loans may be up to 30 years. There is a limited application period that is announced at the time of the disaster declaration. There is no matching requirement in this program. For more information, see CRS Report RS21061, Small Business Disaster Assistance: Responding to the Terrorist Attacks, by Bruce K. Mulock and CRS Report RL33243, Small Business Administration: A Primer on Programs, by Eric Weiss. Agency: Small Business Administration Authority: 15 U.S.C. § 636(b) Regulation: 13 CFR §§ 123.200-204 Phone: Office of Congressional Affairs, 202-205-6700 Website:[http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance/ homeownersrenters/index.html] CFDA: 59.008 CRS Contact: Eric Weiss, 202-707-6209 CRS-5 Cora Brown Fund. This fund directs payments to individuals and groups for disaster-related needs that have not been or will not be met by government agencies or other organizations. Annual obligations for the entire program are typically less than $225,000. There is no matching requirement for this program and no limitation on the time period in which assistance is available. Agency: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Authority: 42 U.S.C. §5121 et seq. Regulation: 44 CFR § 206.181 Phone: Office of Congressional Affairs, 202-646-4500 Website: [http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.acces s.gpo.gov/cfr_2002/octqtr/44cfr206.181.htm] CFDA: 97.031 CRS Contact: Francis X. McCarthy, 202-707-9533 Assistance for Victims of Crime. This program offers a variety of services to victims, including emergency travel assistance, assistance with obtaining information, and long-term mental health counseling. There is no matching requirement for this program. For more information, see CRS Report RL32579, Victims of Crime Compensation and Assistance: Background and Funding, by Celinda Franco. Agency: Office of Justice Programs, Office for Victims of Crime, Department of Justice Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 10601 Regulation: no specific regulation Phone: Victim Assistance Center, 1-800-331-0075 Website: [http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/] CFDA: 16.575, 16.576, others CRS Contact: Celinda Franco, 202-707-7360 Crisis Counseling. This program provides grants that enable states to offer immediate crisis counseling services, when required, to victims of a major federally declared disaster for the purpose of relieving mental health problems caused or aggravated by a major disaster or its aftermath; assistance is short-term and community-oriented. Cost-share requirements are not imposed on this assistance. The regulations specify that program funding generally ends after nine months, but time extensions may be approved if requested by the state and approved by federal officials. Agency: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 5183 Regulation: 44 CFR § 206.171 Phone: Office of Congressional Affairs, 202-646-4500 Website: [http://www.fema.gov/assistance/process/additional.shtm] CFDA: 97.032 CRS Contact: Ramya Sundararaman, 202-707-7285 Disaster Legal Services. These services offer free legal assistance to individuals affected by a major federal disaster. Types of assistance typically include CRS-6 help with insurance claims, preparing powers of attorney, help with guardianships, and preparing new wills and other lost legal documents. Neither the statute nor the regulations establish cost-share requirements or time limitations for assistance. Agency: Federal Emergency Management Agency Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 5182 Regulation: 44 CFR § 206.164 Phone: Office of Congressional Affairs, 202-646-4500 Website: [http://www.fema.gov/assistance/process/additional.shtm] CFDA: 97.033 CRS Contact: Francis X. McCarthy, 202-707-9533 Tax Relief. Individuals and businesses located in areas included in major disaster declarations are allowed extra time (four years for homes and two years for business property) to replace property due to involuntary conversion (e.g., due to destruction from wind or floods, theft, or property ordered to be demolished). Casualty losses can also be deducted against income in the prior tax year, and certain disaster relief grants are not taxable. These losses also include property loss due to government ordered demolition because the property is unsafe. Disaster relief payments for certain expenses are not subject to tax. The Internal Revenue Service also has the authority to extend tax filing deadlines. Special provisions were enacted in P.L. 109-73, the Katrina Emergency Tax Relief Act of 2005 (119 stat. 2016) for the Katrina disaster area. That law eliminates floors for the casualty loss deduction, extends the replacement period for involuntary conversions to five years, allows penalty free withdrawals from IRAs and retirement plans, allows earned income and child credits based on prior year incomes, allows tax credits for retaining and hiring residents, and exclusions of cancellation of indebtedness. For more information see CRS Report RS22249, Income Tax Relief in Times of Disaster, by Pamela J. Jackson. Agency: Internal Revenue Service Authority: Internal Revenue Code, title 26 United States Code Regulation: No specific regulation Phone: Congressional Liaison, 202-622-9590 Website:[http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=108362,00.html] CRS Contact: Pamela Jackson, 202-707-3967 Assistance for State, Territorial, and Local Governments Public Assistance Grants. Authorized by the Stafford Act, this is FEMA's primary assistance program for state and local governments. Public Assistance (PA) grants may be used to repair, replace, or restore disaster-damaged, publicly owned facilities and the facilities of certain private nonprofit organizations. This program has a wide range of eligible activities, including removal of debris, repair of roads and bridges, and repair of water control facilities. There is generally a 25% matching requirement, but the statute authorizes the President to waive part or all of the required match. The regulations specify that federal officials must obligate funds for approved applications within 45 days of the approval of applications for assistance (referred to as "Project Worksheets"). (Also see "Physical Disaster Loans -- Businesses," below, for assistance for nonprofit organizations.) CRS-7 Agency: Federal Emergency Management Agency Authority: 42 U.S.C. 5172 § (a)(1)(A) Regulation: 44 CFR § 206, subparts G, H, I Phone: Office of Congressional Affairs, 202-646-4500 Website: [http://www.fema.gov/government/grant/pa/index.shtm] CFDA: 97.036 CRS Contact: Francis X. McCarthy, 202-707-9533 Hazard Mitigation Grants. The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) provides grants to states to implement mitigation measures after recovery from a disaster and to provide funding for previously identified mitigation measures to benefit the area. There is a matching requirement of 25%. The Post-Katrina Act adjusts the percentage amounts for HMGP awards by establishing a scale that authorizes a higher percentage (15% of the total Stafford Act assistance in a state) for major disaster in which no more than $2 billion is provided, to 10% for assistance that ranges from more than $2 billion to $10 billion, and 7.5% for major disaster that involve Stafford Act assistance from more than $10 billion to $35.3 billion.4 Agency: Federal Emergency Management Agency Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 5170c Regulation: 44 CFR §§ 206.430-440 Phone: Office of Congressional Affairs, 202-646-4500 Website: [http://www.fema.gov/government/grant/hmgp] CFDA: 97.039 CRS Contact: Natalie Love, 202-707-9569 Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grants. This program provides grants and technical assistance to states, territories, and local communities for cost-effective hazard mitigation activities that complement a comprehensive hazard mitigation program, and reduce injuries, loss of life, and damage and destruction of property. A minimum of $500,000 or 1.0% of appropriated funds is provided to each state and local government, with assistance capped at 15% of appropriated funds. Federal funds comprise generally 75% of the cost of approved mitigation projects, except for small impoverished communities that may receive up to 90% of the cost. Agency: Federal Emergency Management Agency Authority: 42 U.S.C.§ 5133 Regulation: 44 CFR § 201 Phone: Office of Congressional Affairs, 202-646-4500 Website: [http://www.fema.gov/government/grant/pdm/index.shtm] CFDA: 97.047 CRS Contact: Natalie Love, 202-707-9569 Community Disaster Loans. This program provides loans to local governments that have suffered substantial loss of tax and other revenue in areas included in a major disaster declaration. The funds can only be used to maintain existing functions of a municipal operating character. The local government must 4 P.L. 109-295, §684, Stafford Act amended Sec. 404, 120 Stat. 1447. CRS-8 demonstrate a need for financial assistance. Typically, the loan may not exceed 25% of the local government's annual operating budget for the fiscal year of the disaster. The limit is 50% if the local government lost 75% or more of its tax and other revenue as the result of a major disaster. A loan may not exceed $5 million. There is no matching requirement. The statute does not impose time limitations on the assistance, but the normal term of a loan is five years. The statute provides that the repayment requirement is to be cancelled if local government revenues are not sufficient to meet operations expenses during three years after a disaster. For more information, see CRS Report RL34065, FEMA's Community Disaster Loan Program: Action in the 110th Congress, by Nonna A. Noto. Agency: Federal Emergency Management Agency Authority: 42 U.S.C.§ 5184 Regulation: 44 CFR §§ 206.360-378 Phone: Office of Congressional Affairs, 202-646-4500 Website: [http://www.federalgrantswire.com/community_disaster_loans.html] CFDA: 97.030 CRS Contact: Nonna Noto, 202-707-7826 Reimbursement for Firefighting on Federal Property. This program directs payments to fire departments that fight fires on federal property. Applicants may be reimbursed for direct expenses and direct losses (those not considered normal operating expenses) incurred in firefighting. Cost share and time limitations are not imposed in the statute or regulations. Agency: Federal Emergency Management Agency Authority: 15 U.S.C. § 2201 et seq. Regulation: 44 CFR §§ 151.0-23 Phone: Office of Congressional Affairs, 202-646-4500 Website: [http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/grants/rfff/] CFDA: 97.016 CRS Contact: Francis X. McCarthy, 202-707-9533 Fire Management Assistance Grant Program. This program provides grants to state and local governments to aid states and their communities with the mitigation, management, and control of fires burning on publicly or privately owned forests or grasslands. The federal government provides 75% of the costs associated with fire management projects, but funding is limited to calculations of the "fire cost threshold" for each state (as set forth in 44 CFR § 204.51). No time limitation is applied to the program. Agency: Federal Emergency Management Agency Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 5187 Regulation: 44 CFR §§ 204.1 -- 204.64 Phone: Office of Congressional Affairs, 202-646-4500 Website:[http://12.46.245.173/pls/portal30/SYSTEM.PROGRAM_ TEXT_RPT.SHOW?p_arg_names=prog_nbr&p_arg_values=97.046] CFDA: 97.046 CRS Contact: Francis X. McCarthy, 202-707-9533 CRS-9 Assistance for Small Businesses & Nonprofit Organizations Economic Injury Disaster Loans. This program assists small businesses suffering economic injury as a result of disasters by offering loans and loan guarantees. Businesses must be located in disaster areas declared by the President, the Small Business Administration, or the Secretary of Agriculture. There is no matching requirement in this program. The maximum loan amount is $1.5 million. Loans may be up to 30 years. The application period is announced at the time of the disaster declaration. For more information, see CRS Report RS21061, Small Business Disaster Assistance: Responding to the Terrorist Attacks, by Bruce K. Mulock and CRS Report RL33243, Small Business Administration: A Primer on Programs, by Eric Weiss. Agency: Small Business Administration Authority: 15 U.S.C.§ 636(b) Regulation: 13 CFR §§ 123.300-303 Phone: Office of Congressional Affairs, 202-205-6700 Website:[http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance/ businessesofallsizes/economicinjury/loans/index.html] CRS Contact: Eric Weiss, 202-707-6209 Physical Disaster Loans -- Businesses. This program provides loans to small and large businesses in declared disaster areas for uninsured physical damage and losses. The maximum loan amount is $1.5 million, but this limit can be waived by the SBA for businesses that are a "major source of employment." Loans may be up to 30 years. There is no matching requirement in this program. For more information, see CRS Report RS21061, Small Business Disaster Assistance: Responding to the Terrorist Attacks, by Bruce K. Mulock and CRS Report RL33243, Small Business Administration: A Primer on Programs, by Eric Weiss. Agency: Small Business Administration Authority: 15 U.S.C. § 636(b) Regulation: 13 CFR §§ 123.200-204 Phone: Office of Congressional Affairs, 202-205-6700 Website:[http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance/businessesofalls izes/index.html] CFDA: 59.008 CRS Contact: Eric Weiss, 202-707-6209 Emergency Loans for Farms. When a county has been declared a disaster area by either the President or the Secretary of Agriculture, agricultural producers in that county may become eligible for low-interest emergency disaster (EM) loans available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency. Producers in counties that are contiguous to a county with a disaster designation also become eligible for an EM loan. EM loan funds may be used to help eligible farmers, ranchers, and aquaculture producers recover from production losses (when the producer suffers a significant loss of an annual crop) or from physical losses (such as repairing or replacing damaged or destroyed structures or equipment, or for the replanting of permanent crops such as orchards). A qualified applicant can then CRS-10 borrow up to 100% of actual production or physical losses (not to exceed $500,000) at a below-market interest rate (which is currently 3.75%). Agency: Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency Authority: 7 U.S.C. § 1961 Regulation: 7 CFR, §§ 1945.1-1945.45 Phone: Legislative Liaison Staff, 202-720-3865 Website:[http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&subject =fmlp&topic=efl] CFDA: 10.404 and others CRS Contact: Ralph Chite, 202-707-7296 Public Assistance Grants. This is FEMA's primary assistance program for state and local governments. Public Assistance (PA) grants may be used to repair, replace, or restore disaster-damaged, publicly owned facilities and the facilities of certain private nonprofit organizations. This program has a wide range of eligible activities, including removal of debris, repair of roads and bridges, and repair of water control facilities. There is generally a 25% matching requirement, but the statute authorizes the President to waive part or all of the required match. (Also see "Physical Disaster Loans -- Businesses," above, for assistance for nonprofit organizations.) Agency: Federal Emergency Management Agency Authority: 42 U.S.C. 5172 § (a)(1)(B) Regulation: 44 CFR § 206, subparts G, H, I Phone: Office of Congressional Affairs, 202-646-4500 Website: [http://www.fema.gov/government/grant/pa/index.shtm] CFDA: 97.036 CRS Contact: Francis X. McCarthy, 202-707-9533 General Assistance Programs In addition to programs described above, which provide targeted assistance to individuals, states, territories, local governments, and businesses specifically affected by disasters, other general assistance programs may be useful to communities in disaster situations. For example, by losing income, employment, or health insurance, individuals affected by disasters may become eligible for programs that are not specifically intended as disaster relief, such as cash assistance under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, job training under the Workforce Investment Act, Medicaid, or the State Children's Health Insurance Program (S- CHIP).5 5 Congress passed special legislation because of the widespread devastation that resulted from Hurricane Katrina in the fall of 2005. For example, P.L. 109-68, the TANF Emergency Response and Recovery Act of 2005 (119 Stat. 2003), provided additional TANF funds and waived some program requirements for states affected by Hurricane Katrina. P.L. 109-72, the Flexibility for Displaced Workers Act (119 Stat. 2013), authorizes the Department of Labor to assist unemployed persons forced to evacuate the Gulf Coast States. P.L. 109-86, the Natural Disaster Student Aid Fairness Act (119 Stat. 2056), provides flexibility to (continued...) CRS-11 Likewise, state or local officials have the discretion to use funds under programs such as the Social Services Block Grant or Community Development Block Grant to meet disaster-related needs, even though these programs were not established specifically for such purposes. Other agencies may offer assistance to state and local governments, including the Economic Development Administration and the Army Corps of Engineers. For businesses, however, only the disaster programs administered by the Small Business Administration are generally applicable. Numerous federal programs potentially offer disaster relief. However, specific eligibility criteria or other program rules might make it less likely that they would actually be used. Moreover, available funds might already be obligated for ongoing program activities. To the extent that federal agencies have discretion in the administration of programs, some agencies may choose to adapt these non-targeted programs for use in disaster situations. Also, Congress may choose to provide additional funds through emergency supplemental appropriations for certain general assistance programs, specifically for use after a disaster. CRS analysts and program specialists can help provide information regarding general assistance programs that might be relevant to a given disaster situation. CRS appropriations reports may have information on disaster assistance within particular federal agencies.6 These reports also contain a list of key policy staff at CRS (including phone numbers), identified by their program area and agency expertise. 5 (...continued) institutions of higher education in states affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and to students who receive federal loans but were forced to attend other colleges and universities. P.L. 109-82, the Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities affected by Hurricane Katrina or Rita Act of 2005 (119 Stat. 2050), reallocates state funding authorized by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. P.L. 109-87 authorized the Secretary of Transportation to make project grants for airports that incurred emergency capital costs because of Hurricanes Katrina or Rita (119 Stat. 2059). A list of mandatory spending and tax relief legislation enacted after the severe hurricanes of 2005, and the cost of the assistance authorized by the public laws, is included in a press release issued and updated by the Senate Budget Committee. See U.S. Senate, Budget Committee, "Senate Budget Committee Releases Current Tally of Hurricane-Related Spending," at [http://budget.senate.gov/republican/ pressarchive/2006/2006-08-22Katrinatally.pdf]. 6 See the CRS website at [http://beta.crs.gov/cli/level_2.aspx?PRDS_CLI_ITEM_ID=73] for CRS appropriations reports. CRS-12 Other Sources of Information Selected CRS Reports Disaster Assistance CRS Report RS22254, The Americans with Disabilities Act and Emergency Preparedness and Response, by Nancy Lee Jones. CRS Report RL33330, Community Development Block Grant Funds in Disaster Relief and Recovery, by Eugene Boyd. CRS Report RL32972, Federal Flood Insurance: The Repetitive Loss Problem, by Rawle O. King. (Archived) CRS Report RL33174, FEMA's Community Disaster Loan Program, Nonna A. Noto. (Archived) CRS Report RL33642, Permanent Tax Relief Provisions for Disaster Victims as Presented in the Internal Revenue Code, by Jennifer Teefy. CRS Report RL33579, The Public Health and Medical Response to Disasters: Federal Authority and Funding, by Sarah A. Lister. CRS Report RL33078, The Role of HUD Housing Programs in Response to PastDisasters, by Maggie McCarty, Libby Perl, and Bruce Foote. (Archived) CRS Report RS22301, Rural Housing: USDA Disaster Relief Provisions, by Bruce Foote. (Archived) CRS Report RS22266, The Use of Federal Troops for Disaster Assistance: Legal Issues, Jennifer K. Elsea. Disaster Assistance to Victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita Although the following CRS reports focus on disaster assistance to victims of recent hurricanes, programs discussed are relevant to other declared disasters or emergencies as well. CRS Report RL33729, Federal Emergency Management Policy Changes After Hurricane Katrina: A summary of Statutory Provisions, by Keith Bea, Elaine Halchin, Henry Hogue, Frederick Kaiser, Natalie Love, Francis X. McCarthy, Shawn Reese and Barbara Schwemle. CRS Report RL34087, FEMA Disaster Housing and Hurricane Katrina: Overview, Analysis, and Congressional Options, by Francis X. McCarthy. CRS Report RL33102, Federal Food Assistance in Disasters: Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, by Joe Richardson. CRS-13 CRS Report RS22250, Hurricane Katrina: Activities of the Social Security Administration, by Scott Szymendera. CRS Report RL33083, Hurricane Katrina: Medicaid Issues, by Evelyne Baumrucker, April Grady, Jean Hearne, Elicia Herz, Richard Rimkunas, Julie Stone, and Karen Tritz. CRS Report RS22249, Income Tax Relief in Times of Disaster, by Pamela J. Jackson. CRS Report RS22269, Katrina Emergency Tax Relief Act of 2005, by Erika Lunder. CRS Report RS22252, Older Americans Act: Disaster Assistance for Older Persons After Hurricane Katrina, by Carol O'Shaughnessy. CRS Report RL33088, Tax Policy Options After Hurricane Katrina, by Jane G. Gravelle. CRS Report RS22246, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF): Its Role in Response to the Effects of Hurricane Katrina, by Gene Falk. CRS Report RL33084, Unemployment and Employment Programs Available to Workers from Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi Affected by Hurricane Katrina, by Julie M. Whittaker and Ann Lordeman. CRS Report RL33075, U.S. Agriculture After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita: Status and Issues, by Randy Schnepf and Ralph M Chite. Federal Agency Websites [http://www.USA.gov/] Many federal agencies have established websites specifically to respond to disasters. Some agencies maintain websites with comprehensive information about their disaster assistance programs, while other agencies supply only limited information; most list contact phone numbers. An A-Z Index of U.S. Government Departments and Agencies is available at the website above. FEMA Website [http://www.fema.gov] From its website, FEMA offers regular updates on recovery efforts in areas under a major disaster declaration. Information on a specific disaster may include a listing of declared counties and contact information for local residents. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance [http://www.cfda.gov] The CFDA describes over 1,600 federal assistance programs. CFDA program numbers are given in each program summary included in this report. The Catalog, however, may not contain the most current information for all programs. CRS-14 Due to limitations of information available on the Internet, congressional users of this report are urged to contact the appropriate program analysts, or department or agency program officers, for more complete, timely information. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ For other versions of this document, see http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31734