Public Assistance Grant Program
Public Assistance Grant Program supports Florida governments and nonprofits with disaster response, facility restoration, and mitigation work to help communities recover and reduce future damage.
Funder: Florida Division of Emergency Management
Due Dates: Within 30 days of presidential disaster declaration (RPA, unless extended) | Within 18 months of declaration (local match waiver)
Funding Amounts: FEMA covers 75%–100% of approved eligible project costs; normal performance periods are 6 months for emergency work and 18 months for permanent work
Summary: Supports eligible governments and certain nonprofits in Florida with disaster response, facility restoration, and mitigation of future damage.
Key Information: Assistance requires a presidential declaration designating the jurisdiction for Public Assistance.
Description
FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) Grant Program provides supplemental disaster assistance to help communities respond to and recover from presidentially declared major disasters and emergencies. The Florida Division of Emergency Management administers the program in Florida, with the state serving as FEMA’s grantee for subgrants to eligible jurisdictions and agencies. Funding supports debris removal, emergency protective measures, and repair, replacement, or restoration of disaster-damaged public facilities and eligible private nonprofit facilities.
The program also supports hazard mitigation during recovery to reduce future damage and preserve critical services. Examples include enlarging drainage culverts, undergrounding power lines, floodproofing buildings, and strengthening materials against wind. PA mitigation is tied to eligible damaged facilities and permanent restoration work.
