2 CFR 200
44 CFR 206
STAFFORD ACT

44 CFR 206 FEDERAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE

44 CFR 206

Subpart A: General

Subpart A establishes the foundational legal authorities and the non-discrimination framework for all federal disaster assistance. It ensures that FEMA programs supplement, rather than replace, the inherent responsibilities of state and local governments. For the CFO, this section mandates that all assistance is delivered equitably and strictly within the limits of the Stafford Act.

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44 CFR 206

Subpart B: Declaration Process

This subpart outlines the rigorous metrics required to trigger federal funding through a Presidential Declaration. It defines the Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) process and the cost-share agreements between federal and state entities. CFOs must understand these triggers to accurately forecast the 25% non-federal match requirement.

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44 CFR 206

Subpart C: Federal Assistance

Subpart C governs the coordination of federal resources and the deployment of Mission Assignments (MAs) to other agencies. It defines the leadership roles of the Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO) and the legal limits of federal asset deployment. For Grant Managers, this ensures that federal "Direct Assistance" does not duplicate local efforts or create "Duplication of Benefits" issues.

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44 CFR 206

Subpart G: Public Assistance Project Administration

This is the operational core of the FEMA PA program, defining the "Project Worksheet" (PW) as the primary binding contract. It sets the deadlines for damage identification and the quarterly reporting requirements for subrecipients. CFOs must treat the PW as a fixed scope; any deviation without an approved amendment is a high-risk for clawback.

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44 CFR 206

Subpart H: Public Assistance Eligibility

Subpart H provides the "Four Pillars of Eligibility": Eligible Applicant, Facility, Work, and Cost. It distinguishes between Emergency Work (Categories A-B) and Permanent Work (Categories C-G). For Grant Managers, this section is the primary defense against auditors claiming that a facility was not in active use or the work was "pre-existing maintenance."

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44 CFR 206

Subpart I: Public Assistance Insurance Requirements

This subpart enforces the "Obtain and Maintain" (O&M) rule and prevents the Duplication of Benefits (DoB). FEMA will reduce grant awards by the amount of any insurance proceeds that were received or should have been received. CFOs must ensure that any facility receiving FEMA funds is insured for that peril in perpetuity.

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44 CFR 206

Subpart J: Coastal Barrier Resources Act

Subpart J restricts federal spending that might encourage development in sensitive coastal areas protected under the CBRS. It limits PA eligibility for infrastructure located within these "no-build" zones. Grant Managers in coastal counties must verify CBRS maps before committing resources to repairs.

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44 CFR 206

Subpart L: Fire Management Assistance Grant

Subpart L governs the FMAG program, providing rapid funding for fires that threaten to become major disasters. Unlike other PA programs, the window for application is hours, not days. CFOs must have "Ready-to-Go" accounting codes for fire mobilization and equipment use.

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44 CFR 206

Subpart M: Minimum Standards

his subpart mandates that facilities repaired with FEMA funds must meet current, formally adopted building codes and standards. It allows FEMA to pay for the "upgrades" required by law, not just a "return to pre-disaster condition." For Grant Managers, this ensures that the infrastructure is more resilient than before the event.

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44 CFR 206

Subpart N: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)

Subpart N governs the HMGP, which provides funds for long-term risk reduction measures post-disaster. While Public Assistance repairs what was broken, HMGP funds proactive projects like buyouts, elevations, or drainage improvements. CFOs must ensure a positive Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) to secure this funding.

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2 CFR 200 UNIFORM ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS

2 CFR 200

Subpart A: Acronyms and Definitions

Subpart A provides the foundational lexicon that eliminates ambiguity in federal grant administration. It establishes precise definitions for critical terms like "Equipment," "Supplies," and "Subrecipient," which dictate varying levels of compliance and oversight. For the CFO, this section ensures that internal accounting structures align with federal regulatory expectations to avoid misclassification errors.

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2 CFR 200

Subpart B: General Provisions

This subpart defines the legal applicability of the Uniform Guidance and mandates ethical conduct throughout the grant lifecycle. It establishes the "Mandatory Disclosure" rule, requiring immediate reporting of any suspected fraud or conflict of interest. CFOs must treat this section as the ethical "North Star" for protecting the entity from legal disqualification.

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2 CFR 200

Subpart C: Pre-Federal Award Requirements and Contents of Federal Awards

Subpart C governs the period before a grant is finalized, focusing on risk assessment and the transparency of the award process. It mandates that federal agencies (like FEMA) evaluate the "Risk" of an applicant based on financial stability and prior performance. CFOs must ensure their organization’s "Risk Profile" remains low to avoid burdensome "Specific Conditions" on their Project Worksheets.

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2 CFR 200

Subpart D: Post-Federal Award Requirements

As the operational heart of the regulation, Subpart D sets the standards for financial management, procurement, and property monitoring. It contains the strict procurement rules (§200.317-327) that are the primary source of FEMA funding de-obligations. CFOs must act as the ultimate gatekeeper for these sections to ensure that "full and open competition" is maintained even in emergency settings.

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2 CFR 200

Subpart E: Cost Principles

Subpart E establishes the fundamental criteria for cost "Allowability," focusing on whether a cost is necessary, reasonable, and allocable. It prevents "disaster profiteering" by requiring that every dollar spent directly benefits the specific project being charged. For a CFO, this subpart is the technical manual for justifying "surge" expenses or overtime costs during an audit.

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2 CFR 200

Subpart F: Audit Requirements

Subpart F governs the "Single Audit" process, the final gatekeeper for grant closure. It requires entities expending more than $1,000,000 (updated threshold) in federal funds to undergo an independent audit of their financial statements and compliance. CFOs are responsible for the accuracy of the SEFA and the swift resolution of any findings to prevent "high-risk" status in future disasters.

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STAFFORD ACT as AMENDED

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Stafford Act Section 308

308. Nondiscrimination in Disaster Assistance

Prohibits discrimination on the grounds of race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, or economic status in all disaster assistance relief operations. Compliance Hint: To ensure full FEMA Public Assistance (PA) reimbursement, applicants must strictly enforce and document non-discriminatory practices across all contracted services and program delivery. Click to review full legal text for compliance requirements.
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Stafford Act Section 311

311. Insurance

Mandates that applicants obtain and maintain property insurance for any facility repaired, restored, or replaced with federal funds. Compliance Hint: Failure to secure required insurance coverage can result in the de-obligation of FEMA PA funding or rejection of future disaster claims for the same facility. Click to view complete statutory insurance rules.
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Stafford Act Section 312

312. Duplication of Benefits

Strictly prohibits any person, business, or entity from receiving federal financial assistance for losses or expenses already covered by insurance or other funding sources. Compliance Hint: To maintain FEMA PA compliance and avoid strict financial penalties/clawbacks, rigorous tracking and reporting of all multi-source funding are mandatory. Click for full text.
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Stafford Act Section 316

316. Protection of Environment

Requires all disaster relief and restoration work to be conducted in accordance with federal environmental protection laws. Compliance Hint: Securing required Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation (EHP) clearances prior to project execution is vital to ensure full FEMA PA funding compliance. Click to read the complete environmental mandates.
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Stafford Act Section 323

323. Minimum Standards for Public and Private Structures

Requires all repaired or reconstructed facilities to comply with applicable hazard mitigation criteria and local building codes. Compliance Hint: Adhering strictly to updated technical standards and hazard mitigation designs is an absolute prerequisite for FEMA PA cost reimbursement eligibility. Click to see detailed engineering and structural rules.
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Stafford Act Section 324

324. Management Costs

Establishes structural guidelines and caps for the reimbursement of administrative and management expenses incurred while executing disaster grants. Compliance Hint: Ensure precise tracking of direct administrative labor and equipment expenses to satisfy strict FEMA PA documentation and compliance audit baselines. Click to access management cost policies.
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Stafford Act Section 403

403. Essential Assistance

Authorizes immediate federal assistance to save lives, protect property, and ensure public health and safety during the immediate aftermath of a disaster. Compliance Hint: Fast-tracked activities must meet strict FEMA PA exigency and immediate-threat criteria to ensure full cost reimbursement. Click to explore essential emergency assistance parameters.
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Stafford Act Section 406

406. Repair, Restoration, and Replacement of Damaged Facilities

Governs the primary funding mechanism for repairing, restoring, or rebuilding eligible public or private non-profit facilities damaged by a disaster. Compliance Hint: Applicants must rigorously document pre-disaster conditions, follow exact procurement standards, and align with FEMA PA guidelines to secure full project funding. Click for full legal text.
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Stafford Act Section 407

407. Debris Removal

Authorizes funding for the clearance and removal of debris from public and private property when it is in the public interest. Compliance Hint: To satisfy strict FEMA PA compliance, ensure detailed monitoring logs, proper truck measurements, and verified legal rights-of-entry are maintained. Click for full legal rules and debris clearance guidelines.
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Stafford Act Section 422

422. Simplified Procedures

Allows for expedited funding and simplified documentation standards for disaster projects that fall below established cost thresholds. Compliance Hint: Even under simplified procedures, maintaining accurate initial estimates and verifying scope completion is critical for FEMA PA closeout compliance. Click to review updated project thresholds.
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Stafford Act Section 428

428. Public Assistance Program Alternative Procedures

Provides alternative, flexible procedures for the FEMA Public Assistance program, allowing grants based on fixed-cost estimates to drive efficiency. Compliance Hint: Utilizing this pathway requires strict adherence to specialized regulatory agreements and precise cost-estimation rules to protect funding. Click to explore alternative compliance frameworks.
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Stafford Act Section 502

502. Federal Emergency Assistance

Delineates the specific federal authorities, resources, and technical support available upon the declaration of an emergency by the President. Compliance Hint: Actions must be tailored explicitly to immediate crisis response to meet strict FEMA PA emergency declaration compliance baselines. Click to view the full statutory emergency powers.
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Stafford Act Section 705

705. Disaster Grant Closeout Procedures

Establishes regulatory time limits, financial reconciliation requirements, and the statute of limitations for de-obligating or recovering federal grant funds. Compliance Hint: Meticulous record-keeping and robust documentation must be preserved post-closeout to withstand strict FEMA PA federal compliance audits. Click for full text.
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