Public Assistance for COVID-19 Emergency Declaration
The Stafford Act emergency declaration for COVID-19 authorized only one form of assistance: PA
emergency protective measures. Applicants are to be reimbursed for 75% of eligible costs incurred while performing emergency protective measures. FEMA will not reimburse work supported by the authorities of another federal agency (42 U.S.C. §5155).
Emergency protective measures encompass a wide range of activities. According to a FEMA news release on the COVID-19 emergency declaration, reimbursable activities may include “activation of State
Emergency Operations Centers, National Guard costs, law enforcement and other measures necessary to protect public health and safety.” Additionally, FEMA may to reimburse costs for overtime labor performed by applicants’ budgeted employees and for overtime and regular-time labor performed by unbudgeted employees engaged in eligible work, per 44 C.F.R. §206.228. General FEMA guidance includes the following activities that may be relevant to a pandemic in a non-exclusive list of eligible
- emergency protective measures. FEMA has not yet specifically authorized these activities for COVID-19 response. Disaster-specific guidance may provide more information.
- Transporting and pre-positioning equipment and resources for response; Emergency Operation Center (EOC)-related costs;
- Supplies and commodities;
- Limited, uninsured emergency medical care and transport up to 30 days from the declaration date, unless extended by FEMA. Eligible care includes uninsured
- vaccinations, durable and consumable medical equipment and supplies, temporary medical facilities, and medical waste disposal;
- Evacuation and sheltering. Generally, FEMA only provides assistance for congregate sheltering, though non-congregate sheltering may be authorized upon request;
- Limited child care;
- Security, including law enforcement;
- Use or lease of temporary generators for facilities that provide essential services; Public dissemination of hazard information; and
- Mass mortuary services.