Major Disaster Declaration declared on March 20, 2020
On March 20, 2020, the State of New York received a major disaster declaration (DR-4480) due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Under DR-4480, FEMA may provide funding to eligible applicants under the Public Assistance (PA) program for costs related to emergency protective measures (EMPs, Category B) conducted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) advises that the current COVID-19 FEMA disaster grant can provide funding for actions taken before, during, and following a disaster to save lives, protect public health, and ensure the safety of citizens.
Eligible EMPs taken in response to the COVID-19 emergency under the direction or guidance of public health officials’ may be reimbursed under Category B of the agency’s Public Assistance program.
EMPs are activities conducted to address immediate threats to life, public health, and safety. The following is a non-exhaustive list of items that may be eligible for federal reimbursement:
State, local, tribal and territorial governments, or eligible private nonprofits may apply for public assistance. Eligible private non-profits include nursing homes, laboratories, rehab centers that provide medical care, emergency care facilities, fire/rescue services, educational facilities, community centers, child care facilities, food assistance programs, senior citizen centers, performing arts facilities, homeless shelters, and houses of worship.
FEMA is a ‘payor of last resort.’ FEMA will not duplicate assistance for necessary emergency protective measures for activities taken in response to the COVID-19 incident provided by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or other federal agencies. FEMA assistance will be provided at the 75 percent Federal cost share. New York State Governor Cuomo has requested and granted that that the federal government will provide 100 percent reimbursement in New York.
Reminder that this is a reimbursement program for government entities and private not-for-profits. For-profit business are not eligible applicant under DR4480.
The incident period begins on January 20, 2020. Expenses related to EMPs taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic can requested beginning January 20, 2020. Currently there is no end date for the incident period.
The disaster assistance for the COVIS-19 pandemic is being administered by The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES). DHSES continues to host virtual Applicant Briefings on the FEMA Public Assistance funding that has been made available under the COVID-19 major disaster declaration (DR-4480). The briefings provide guidance on the eligibility standards for being an applicant under a FEMA disaster grant and what types of activities are reimbursable under this current declaration. We encourage any entity that is responding to the COVID-19 outbreak to register and participate in a DHSES Applicant briefing.
View Briefing Schedule from DHSES
Eligible Applicants may submit funding requests to the Recipient and FEMA through the Public Assistance Grants Portal.
If you are considering requesting Public Assistance that may be available under New York Covid-19 Pandemic, DR-4480, the first step will be to set up an account in the FEMA Grants Portal (if you do not already have one).
FEMA is hosting webinars on setting up a FEMA Grant portal account and Requesting Public Assistance.
The webinar schedules can be found at the top of the DHSES DR-4480 page.
Additionally, the FEMA Procurement Disaster Assistance Team provides information sessions on the guidelines needed when procuring and contracting for services and seeking federal FEMA reimbursement.
DHSES Contacts
Patricia Debboli
NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services
patricia.debboli@dhses.ny.gov
Sarah Taegder
Program Administrator I – Region 2 DAR Coordinator
NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services
10 Ross Circle, Suite 1S
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Cell: 845-867-6026 | Sarah.Taegder@dhses.ny.gov
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