Number: RL34146
Title: FEMA's Disaster Declaration Process: A Primer
Authors: Francis X. McCarthy, Government and Finance Division 
Abstract: The disaster declaration procedure is foremost a process that preserves the discretion of the governor to request assistance and the president to decide to grant, or not to grant, supplemental help. The process employs some measurable criteria in two broad areas: Individual Assistance that aids families and individuals and Public Assistance that is mainly for repairs to infrastructure. The criteria, however, also considers many other factors, in each category of assistance, that help decision makers assess the impact of an event on communities and states. Under current law, the decision to issue a declaration rests solely with the President. Congress has no formal role, but has taken actions to adjust the terms of the process. For example, P.L. 109-295 established an advocate to help small states with the declaration process. More recently, Congress mandated in P.L. 110-28 that GAO review the method used by FEMA to identify state needs. Congress continues to examine the process and has received some recommendations for improvements. Given the importance of the decision, and the size of the overall spending involved, hearings have been held in the 110th Congress to review the declaration process so as to ensure fairness and equity in the process and its results. Also, further studies have been requested to understand how FEMA develops its estimates of damage and the accuracy of those estimates.
Pages: 24
Date: August 27, 2007