PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAM UPDATES

COVID-19 Programmatic Deadlines
FEMA has provided further explanation about the Public Assistance deadlines for the COVID-19 response. A snapshot of the policy is below, but we encourage all PA Applicants to read the entire policy, which goes into more detail about deadlines pertaining to expedited funding, project thresholds, work completion, project completion and certification, closeouts, and management costs. Read the full policy: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic: Public Assistance Programmatic Deadlines

Request for Public Assistance Deadline:

• The regulatory deadline for a Request for Public Assistance (RPA) submittal to FEMA is 30 days after an area is designated in a federal disaster declaration. On 31 March 21, 2020, FEMA extended the RPA submission period to remain open for the duration of the Public Health Emergency unless an earlier deadline was deemed appropriate. FEMA has determined July 1, 2022, to be an appropriate RPA deadline for all COVID-19 declarations.
• Applicants submit RPAs through FEMA’s Grants Portal system. The RPA is the first step in applying for PA funding. 

• To identify and report damage will remain open for the duration of the Public Health Emergency unless an earlier deadline was deemed appropriate. 
  • Applicants must submit the Streamlined Project Applications to FEMA via the PA Grants Portal by the following deadlines:
    • By December 31, 2022, Applicants must submit all streamlined Project Applications for work completed through July 1, 2022. The streamlined Project Application must include information and documentation sufficient for FEMA to determine whether the work is eligible, and either the actual or estimated cost of the work. 
    • Applicants must submit separate streamlined Project Applications for work performed after July 1, 2022. The deadline for identifying and reporting COVID-19 emergency work activities for work to be completed after July 1, 2022, will remain open. FEMA will notify Applicants no less than 30 days prior to establishing the deadline for work performed after July 1, 2022.

• 100% Funding: FEMA will apply 100% federal funding to all eligible COVID-19 costs for work performed and items used from the beginning of the incident period through 11:59 p.m. on July 1, 2022, as follows:
  • i. Employee Labor: Costs for hours worked prior to July 2, 2022.
  • ii. Purchased Supplies: Costs to purchase supplies used prior to July 2, 2022. As described in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Work Eligible for Public Assistance (Interim) policy, FEMA only provides PA funding for the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE) and other supplies projected to be used in the next 60 days. Any PPE or other supplies purchased for a 60-day timeframe prior to July 2, 2022, are eligible for 100% federal funding only if the items were also used prior to July 2, 2022.
  • iii. Purchased Equipment: Costs to purchase equipment that the Applicant used prior to July 2, 2022, and the cost for usage prior to July 2, 2022.
  • iv. Leased Equipment and Facilities: Lease costs prior to July 2, 2022. FEMA may calculate the cost based on a proration of time (e.g., if a facility is leased for six months based on a monthly rate and the 100% federal cost share expired 45 days after the start of the lease, FEMA applies the increased federal cost share to the cost to lease the facility for 45 days based on a proration of the monthly rate). As described in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Work Eligible for Public Assistance (Interim) policy, FEMA only provides funding for storage that is necessary to store 60 days of PPE and other necessary
    supplies.
  • v. Contract Costs: Costs for work performed prior to July 2, 2022. If costs cannot be distinguished by date performed, FEMA may prorate costs based on the percentage of work completed prior to the deadline versus the percentage of work remaining. However, to the greatest extent possible, Applicants should work with contractors to delineate dates associated with work.
• 90% Funding: In Section 311 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, Congress directed the federal share of assistance for the COVID-19 disaster declarations be at least 90%. FEMA will apply the 90% federal cost share to funding for all eligible costs for work performed and items used on or after July 2, 2022. This includes any PPE or other supplies purchased for a 60-day time

Key COVID-19 Response Deadlines:

• Request for Public Assistance due July 1, 2022
• Project Applications for Work Completed between the incident period January 20, 2020 - July 1, 2022 due December 21, 2022
• Cost-Share Will Change from 100% to 90% for Projects with Work Completed After July 1, 2022

Resources: 

• 2020, DR-4566-DE Declaration Information for DR-4566 Tropical Storm Isaias
• 2021, DR-4627-DE Declaration Information for DR-4627 Remnants of Hurricane Ida
• Recovery & State Resources - Delaware Emergency Management Agency
• FEMA Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide (PAPPG), V4 

Other PA Guidance:

• Public Assistance Policy (in addition to the PAPPG) 
• Public Assistance Fact Sheets, Job Aids and FAQs 
• Public Assistance Alternative Procedures (Section 428) 
• Standard Operating Procedures and Operations Manuals  
• 406 Mitigation Brochure:  Mitigate Disaster Damage with FEMA Public Assistance
• Community Disaster Loan Program | FEMA.gov

Additional Public Assistance Resources