Every year, disasters put millions of Americans in danger and costs billions of dollars in property damage. But every year, all year, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is on the job —as part of a team helping communities reduce risk, helping emergency officials prepare for all hazards, and helping people get back on their feet after their lives are disrupted by a disaster.
FEMA is the federal coordinator for the operational and logistical disaster response needed to save and sustain lives, minimize suffering, and protect property in a timely and effective manner in communities that become overwhelmed by disasters.
FEMA assists in community recovery through a number of channels, including obligating monetary aid for both individual assistance and public assistance.
Individual assistance (IA) to eligible survivors may include temporary or permanent housing, crisis counseling, legal services, disaster case management, and unemployment assistance, among other services. Disaster survivors who need information on programs for homeowners and renters should visit www.disasterassistance.gov.
Public Assistance (PA) may include reimbursement to clear debris and rebuild roads, schools, libraries, and other public facilities. FEMA's Public Assistance grant program provides federal assistance to government organizations and certain private nonprofit organizations following a Presidential disaster declaration.