Deadlines Approaching for FEMA’s Public Assistance and Mitigation Programs

COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho – Help is available for state agencies, local and tribal governments and eligible private nonprofits affected by storms in December that knocked out power, blocked roads and damaged infrastructure. Applicants in Benewah, Bonner and Kootenai counties have until March 2 to apply for assistance from the Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security (IBHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Grants are available to eligible applicants under FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) Grant Program and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). The deadline to submit a Request for Public Assistance (RPA) or an HMGP Letter of Intent to IBHS is March 2.

Potential applicants needing more information on the PA program may phone IBHS Recovery Coordinator Jarod Dick at 208-258-6515. For help concerning the HMGP, potential applicants may call Idaho State Hazard Mitigation Officer Susan Cleverley at 208-258-6545.   

“The PA and HMGP programs are designed to help communities rebuild in ways that will make them more resilient,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Dolph Diemont of FEMA. “FEMA and IBHS are working closely with our state, local and tribal partners so that together, we can build a stronger Idaho.”

Assistance to Idaho is available under President Obama’s February 1 major disaster declaration for the Dec. 16-27, 2015, severe winter storms. Under the PA program, FEMA reimburses 75 percent of eligible expenses for protecting citizens during the storm, and cleaning up and repairing afterwards. The other 25 percent is the non-federal share. As the HMGP program administrator, IBHS evaluates applications and then works with FEMA to award grants on a cost-sharing basis.

Additional information about FEMA Public Assistance, PA in Idaho, the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program  and  HMGP in Idaho is available online. More information about the FEMA response to the disaster, including funds obligated when they are approved, is available online here.