Federal Legal Authorities
Stafford Act provisions, 44 CFR, 2 CFR Part 200, and other applicable federal requirements.
01
PAPPG Overview
FEMA’s principal policy guide for Public Assistance
The Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide (PAPPG) is FEMA’s principal policy guide for administering the Public Assistance Program. It is an official FEMA publication that consolidates FEMA’s primary policies, requirements, and procedures throughout the disaster grant lifecycle.
FEMA applies PAPPG Version 5 to emergencies and major disasters declared on or after January 6, 2025.
Users should confirm that they are consulting the correct PAPPG edition, amendments, interim policies, and disaster-specific guidance applicable to the declaration under review.
02
Governing Authority
The laws and regulations remain controlling
The PAPPG operates within the legal and regulatory framework established by the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, applicable provisions of 44 CFR, the federal grant requirements in 2 CFR Part 200, and other applicable federal laws, regulations, and government-wide requirements.
These authorities establish the legal foundation for the Public Assistance Program and remain controlling. The PAPPG explains how FEMA interprets and administers these authorities, but it does not amend, supersede, or replace applicable federal law or regulation.
When an inconsistency exists, the controlling statute, regulation, grant requirement, or other binding legal authority governs.
- The Stafford Act and other applicable federal statutes
- Applicable provisions of 44 CFR
- Federal grant requirements in 2 CFR Part 200
- Disaster-specific directives and FEMA policy memoranda
- Grant terms, conditions, and official FEMA decisions
03
How GOVSTAR Uses the PAPPG
One important source within a broader technical resource
GOVSTAR uses the PAPPG as an important source of FEMA Public Assistance policy, but the PAPPG is not the only source used on this website and is not presented as a GOVSTAR publication or proprietary policy platform.
GOVSTAR combines FEMA policy with governing laws, regulations, official decisions, federal oversight materials, and relevant professional standards. The purpose is to make Public Assistance eligibility, funding, documentation, and compliance requirements easier to locate, understand, compare, and apply.
FEMA Policy Resources
FEMA policy memoranda, manuals, fact sheets, official guidance, forms, and disaster-specific directives.
Decisions and Oversight
FEMA appeal decisions, arbitration determinations, audit findings, and federal oversight reports.
Technical Standards
Insurance, engineering, construction, procurement, estimating, accounting, and grant-management standards.
Independent Analysis
Plain-language summaries, comparisons, implementation considerations, and practical technical analysis.
User Assistance Tools
Checklists, educational resources, examples, cross- references, and analytical tools developed by GOVSTAR.
04
FEMA Attribution and GOVSTAR Independence
Clear ownership, attribution, and separation
The PAPPG is authored, issued, maintained, and controlled by FEMA. GOVSTAR does not claim ownership of the PAPPG and does not present FEMA policy as a GOVSTAR publication.
GOVSTAR is an independent educational and technical resource. It is not FEMA, is not affiliated with or endorsed by FEMA or the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and is not authorized to issue official FEMA policy, approve projects, determine eligibility, or obligate funding.
References to FEMA publications, program names, forms, policies, and guidance are provided for education, analysis, commentary, and access to official sources. These references do not imply FEMA sponsorship, certification, approval, or endorsement of GOVSTAR.
Source distinction: FEMA remains responsible for the PAPPG and other FEMA-authored materials. GOVSTAR is responsible only for its independently developed organization, summaries, explanations, commentary, tools, graphics, and technical-assistance materials.
05
User Verification
Confirm important decisions against controlling sources
GOVSTAR content is provided for informational, educational, and technical-assistance purposes. It is designed to improve understanding of FEMA Public Assistance requirements but does not constitute official FEMA guidance or a FEMA eligibility or funding determination.
Users should verify material decisions against the current FEMA-issued PAPPG, applicable statutes and regulations, disaster-specific guidance, grant terms and conditions, official FEMA communications, and the facts and documentation of the particular project.
- Confirm the applicable PAPPG edition and amendments
- Review the complete text of governing authorities
- Check disaster-specific and award-specific requirements
- Confirm important decisions with the appropriate authorities
- Obtain professional assistance when circumstances require it