There are a handful of common pitfalls that the Consolidated Resource Center identifies when determining eligibility for Public Assistance funding:

• Insufficient documentation
• Deferred maintenance

• FEMA does not obligate funds for damages caused by lack of maintenance. An Applicant should conduct and document routine maintenance to avoid this

• Pre-existing damages

• As described in 44 CFR 206.223, FEMA does not obligate funds for damages that occurred prior to the event
• Damages must be the result of the emergency or major disaster event

• Unreasonable costs

• Costs provided by the Applicant need to be reasonable.
• Reasonableness is defined by 2 CFR 200.404 as in its nature and amount, the cost does not exceed that which would be incurred by a prudent person under the circumstances prevailing at the time the Applicant makes the decision to incur the cost

• Improper procurement of contracts
• Legal citation for deferred maintenance

• Not obtaining proper permits

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