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GovStar Disaster Recovery: Disaster Fiscal Resiliency
Emergency Response
What can FEMA cover while you’re responding?

Debris removal, protective measures, sheltering and the costs of your response.

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New disaster declarationsLIVEEmergency work navigatorFirst 30 days checklistIs it emergency work?Chapter 7: Emergency work →
Debris removal (Cat. A)
What debris countsHazardous trees and stumpsDebris on private propertyMonitoring and load ticketsDisposal and tipping fees
Protective measures (Cat. B)
Response and flood fightingEvacuation and shelteringEmergency medical careTemporary repairsEmergency labor and equipment costs
Damaged Assets
What will FEMA repair or replace?

Eligibility, damage reporting, repair or rebuild, and the rules for each type of facility.

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Damage and impact navigatorIs the facility eligible?Reporting damage (impact list)Chapter 8: Permanent work →
Repair or rebuild
Restoring pre-disaster conditionCodes and standardsRepair vs. replace (50% rule)Improved and alternate projectsFloodplains and relocation
By type of facility
Roads, bridges and culvertsBuildings and contentsUtilities and powerLevees and water controlParks and beachesBuild back stronger (mitigation)
Costs & Funding
How do you get paid, and how much?

What FEMA pays for, how projects are sized and estimated, and how the money reaches you.

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Cost eligibility gatewayWhat makes a cost eligibleSmall vs. large projectsHow the money reaches you
Your costs
Employee labor and overtimeEquipmentContracts and procurementMutual aid and donationsGrant management costs (Cat. Z)
Estimates and funding
Writing the scope and estimateHow FEMA checks your estimateFixed-cost projects (428)Cost estimating seriesInsurance and duplicate funding
Compliance & Appeals
Protect the money you’ve received.

Procurement, environmental review, audits, closeout, and your rights when FEMA says no.

Stay compliant
Grant compliance navigatorProcurement rulesEnvironmental review (EHP)OIG audits
Changes and closeout
Project changes and extensionsSoonClosing out projectsSection 705 protectionRecord retention
Appeals
How to appealAppeal deadlinesArbitration (CBCA)RFIs and funding defenseDecisions databaseSoon
Disaster Fiscal Resiliency
Protect your budget before the next disaster.

Readiness, risk financing, mitigation and contracts that keep recovery from becoming a fiscal crisis.

FEMA Reform WatchH.R. 4669, the Review Council and direct funding →
Recovery Readiness
Readiness assessmentTransition readinessSmart asset registrySoonCost tracking and recordsSoon
Risk Financing
Insurance strategyParametric coverageDisaster reserves and cash flowSoonResilient disaster finance
Hazard Mitigation
Build back stronger (406)Pre-approved measures (App. J)Codes and standardsHazard mitigation grantsSoon
Contracts & Agreements
Pre-positioned contractsMutual aid agreementsProcurement rulesAppeals and arbitration
Resource Center
Find the rule, policy or answer.

The PAPPG, FEMA policies, FAQs, GovStar articles and the laws behind them.

Not sure where to begin?Start Here: find your path in 3 questions →
The PAPPG
Search the PAPPG (Explorer)NewChapters and appendicesVisual chapter overviewsSoon
Policy and law
FEMA policy libraryNewStafford Act and 44 CFR 2062 CFR 200 grant rules
GovStar articles
Procurement compliance manualForce account compliance guideCategory A debris standardsCategory B eligibility briefingCodes and standards complianceCost-estimate readiness planAll GovStar articles →
Answers
Disaster declarations trackerLIVEFAQ libraryDecisions databaseSoon
Get help
Disaster Declarations & Public Assistance Grant Planning

Learn presidential declarations, damage assessments, cost-share matching, and administrative grant planning under the Stafford Act.

Eligibility & Appeal Rights Framework

Master the PA eligibility pyramid, RFI deadlines, two-tiered appeals, and CBCA arbitration thresholds.

Applicant & PNP Facility Eligibility Rules

Criteria for SLTT and private nonprofit eligibility, critical services definitions, and SBA disaster loan matching rules.

General Facility & Work Eligibility Rules

Rules for SLTT and PNP facility eligibility, emergency vs permanent work categories, and legal responsibility requirements.

EHP Compliance & Regulatory Laws Index

Federal environmental laws, C.F.R. regulations, and Executive Orders governing Public Assistance grants.

Disaster Impact Lists & Project Grouping

Deadlines for damage reporting, submerged infrastructure evaluation, and logical project grouping under FEMA PA.

Private Nonprofit Facility Staging & Mixed-Use Eligibility

FEMA evaluation outcomes for PNP support facilities, HOAs, houses of worship, and recreational centers.

Cost Eligibility & Procurement Compliance

Force account labor rules, cost reasonableness analysis, 2 C.F.R. procurement standards, and duplication of benefits.

Mosquito Abatement & Vector Control Rules

Post-disaster mosquito spraying thresholds, CDC surveillance parameters, and eligible habitat alterations.

Stafford Act Section 428 Alternative Procedures Rules

Section 428 fixed-cost caps, excess funds flexibility, and restricted appeal rights for permanent work.

rework-FEMA Permanent Work Restoration & Category I Code Enforcement

Categories C�G restoration rules, the 50% repair vs. replacement threshold, and Category I code enforcement windows.

Mold Remediation Technical Methods Index

Appendix H mold cleanup methods, disposal packaging rules, and material-specific restoration actions.

Project Scoping & Cost Development Rules

Scope of work development, large vs small project thresholds, and expedited emergency funding protocols.

Environmental & Historic Preservation Compliance

NEPA review levels, NHPA Section 106 triggers, CWA Section 404 permits, and required REC documentation.

Post-Award Project Monitoring & Scope Changes

Project revision protocols, quarterly reporting, 2 C.F.R. single audits, and VAYGo payment integrity reviews.

Validation of Applicant Cost Estimates

Regulatory checklist, professional certifications, and cost variance rules for large project funding validation.

Consensus-Based Codes and Standards Index

Mandatory technical building, utility, and transportation design codes for Public Assistance projects.

FEMA PA Award Closeout & Reconciliation Rules

Final reconciliation procedures, small project overruns, closeout packages, and Section 705 recovery limits.