GovStar FEMA Public Assistance Resource Center

FEMA Public Assistance, from declaration to closeout

The practitioner’s toolkit for getting your FEMA Public Assistance funding right: plain-language guides, calculators and trackers built on the PAPPG.

Not sure? Find my starting point in 2 questionsAll 12 resource pathsAll 22 subject centers
Resource index

Browse by program need

All 22 subject centers →
Program authority

Program Foundation

The laws, regulations and roles behind FEMA Public Assistance.

PA Program Basics →
Eligibility

Applicant & Work Eligibility

Applicants, facilities, legal responsibility and disaster causation.

Facility and Work Eligibility →
Eligible costs

Cost Eligibility

Reasonable, necessary and well-documented costs FEMA will pay.

Cost Eligibility center →
Grant compliance

Grant Compliance

Procurement, EHP, monitoring, records, audits and closeout.

Grant Compliance navigator →
Category B

Emergency Protective Measures

Actions that save lives and protect public health and property.

Emergency Work Guide →
Category A

Debris Removal

Removal, monitoring, hauling and disposal, including private property.

Debris center →
Categories C–G

Facility & Asset Restoration

Repair, replacement, codes and mitigation for damaged facilities.

Permanent Work center →
Funding development

Project Funding

How scopes and costs are developed, obligated and closed.

Scoping and Costing Guide →

What’s happening now

New disaster declarationsFEMA declarations with Public Assistance by state and county, with estimated RPA deadlines.Open the Declarations Tracker → Second appeals trackerStatus, outcomes and decision times for FEMA Public Assistance second appeals.Track appeal decisions → New on GovStar22 subject centers that gather every rule, FAQ, policy and guide on one topic, plus the Smart Asset Registry.Explore the subject centers →
Classify the damage, define the work, support the cost, defend the funding

Work through recovery step by step

All 12 resource paths →
1Classify the damage

Damage & Impact Navigator

Sort emergency measures, debris, damaged assets and inventory needs.

Start step 1 → 2Define the work

Work & Asset Resource Paths

Emergency work, debris removal and permanent work Categories C–G.

Start step 2 → 3Support the cost

Primary Cost Components

Force account, equipment, materials, contracts, mutual aid and cost risks.

Start step 3 → 4Defend the funding

Grant Compliance & Funding Controls

Insurance, procurement, EHP, estimates, records, closeout and audits.

Start step 4 →
Guides, calculators and trackers

Most-used tools

All recovery guides →
Force Account Labor GuideCalculatorOvertime, fringe, backfill and equipment rules, with a labor cost calculator. Procurement and Contracting GuideFY 2026Which rules apply, thresholds, methods, sole source and required clauses. Scoping and Costing GuideCalculatorScopes of work, project thresholds, cost estimates and the CEF. Appeal Decisions SearchSearchFind FEMA second appeal decisions by topic, state, disaster and outcome. PAPPG ExplorerReferencePlain-language answers organized by the PAPPG v5.0 table of contents. Smart Asset RegistryBuilderOne insurance-linked record per facility for insurers, FEMA and funding.
Visual guides

FEMA Public Assistance, explained visually

Illustrated walkthroughs of the rules that cost applicants the most.

All 31 visual guides →
Emergency Work ComplianceEmergency Work Compliance Force Account Labor and EquipmentForce Account Labor and Equipment Cost Estimating Format (CEF)Cost Estimating Format (CEF) Permanent Work EligibilityPermanent Work Eligibility (Categories C–G) Environmental and Historic PreservationEnvironmental and Historic Preservation Reconciliation and CloseoutReconciliation and Closeout
Reform watch

FEMA Public Assistance reform

Several proposals would change how Public Assistance is funded. Follow where each one stands and what it would mean for your organization. Each page carries its own last-updated date.

Independent resource. GovStar is not affiliated with FEMA. Guidance is educational, not legal advice; always confirm against the current PAPPG, your disaster’s declaration and your FEMA and state contacts. Contact GovStar

Independent FEMA Public Assistance resource. Not affiliated with FEMA.DeclarationsRecovery GuidesStart hereReform watchContact
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