The Disaster Recovery Section's mission is to coordinate state and federal actions with local jurisdictions to assist those impacted communities in recovering from disasters. Through Public Assistance (infrastructure) and Individual Assistance (human services) programs and activities the Recovery Section works to reduce human suffering during disasters and enhance recovery after they occur.

PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
The Public Assistance Program provides an organizational structure for the administration of the Governor’s Emergency Fund and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants to eligible public entities for the repair and restoration of damaged public facilities within a declared disaster area. After the Governor declares a disaster, grants may be provided to reimburse political subdivision(s) of the state (counties, cities, towns, state agencies) for the repair and restoration of damaged public facilities.  The Governor has an annual Emergency Fund of $4 million dollars to cover the costs of emergencies and disasters.  If the President declares a major disaster, in accordance with Public Law 93-288, as amended (the Stafford Act), a federally funded grant, provided through FEMA, is made to the State, which authorizes sub-grants to eligible applicants. Public Assistance grants are provided on a cost-share basis, with percentages never exceeding twenty-five (25) percent for political subdivisions and not less than seventy-five (75) percent for federal share.

INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE
The Individual Assistance Program is designed to coordinate assistance provided to individuals, households, and businesses recovering from disaster or emergency impacts. Program objectives include: maximizing victim knowledge on disaster recovery services and resources that may be available; providing customer service to victims through Individual Assistance Service Centers; coordinating with service and resource providers to prevent duplication of benefits; and administering the Individuals and Households (IHP) Program, in conjunction with FEMA. The IHP program provides state-federal assistance to individuals and families for uninsured losses in a federally-declared disaster, as authorized under Section 411 of Public Law 93-288, as amended. Grants are seventy five (75) percent federally funded, and twenty five (25) percent state funded.

Contact
For additional information regarding the Recovery Program, please contact us for your area of interest.