Nonprofits Should Notify the State of Damage in Case a Public Assistance Grant Is Needed

Certain private nonprofit organizations that experienced damage from Hurricane Sandy may qualify for reimbursement of certain costs under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Public Assistance program.

The program reimburses government entities, tribal nations and nonprofits for debris removal, emergency protective measures and permanent restoration of disaster-damaged infrastructure to pre-disaster condition.

Federal regulations separate nonprofits into two categories: critical facilities, such as schools, utility companies, emergency service companies and hospitals; and noncritical facilities, such as low-income housing, assisted living homes and rehabilitation programs. Both may apply for reimbursement of eligible expenses under the PA program.

However, noncritical facilities must also apply to the U.S. Small Business Administration for a low-interest disaster loan. If SBA declines the loan, or if the loan does not cover all eligible damage, FEMA may be able to provide cost-shared assistance.

Applicants submit their formal Request for Public Assistance to the state. For more information, nonprofit organizations should contact Connecticut’s Public Assistance program at 860-256-0801.

Fairfield, Litchfield, Middlesex, New Haven, New London, Tolland and Windham counties, and the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan Tribal Nations within New London County are designated for PA. The deadline for submitting a Request for Public Assistance to the state is Dec. 30.

Under the program, the state is the grantee, and the applicants are the subgrantees. In other words, FEMA grants the money to the state, which distributes the funds to the applicants after all documentation is received.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private, nonprofit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts, and covers the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.