SEMA’s Public Assistance Section (part of SEMA’s Recovery Division) administers federal grants to eligible public entities for the repair and restoration of damaged roads, bridges, public infrastructure and facilities in federally-declared disaster areas. These expenses included emergency protective measures or response costs as a direct result of the disaster. Public entities include municipal and county government, school districts, state agencies, and certain private, nonprofit organizations.

Funding is provided through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in accordance with Public Law 93-288, as amended by the Stafford Act. Public assistance grants are provided on a cost-share basis, with percentages established in the state-federal agreement with a federal share of no less than 75 percent. The State of Missouri has traditionally paid a state share of 10 percent of the eligible expenses for local government entities.

Applicant Briefings – A Key to the Public Assistance Process

Following a federal disaster declaration for Public Assistance, SEMA will either schedule Applicant Briefings or post them to the SEMA website in order to inform eligible applicants about the Public Assistance process. Applicant Briefings are very important for applicants and required by FEMA to provide information about the Public Assistance program, and its rules and regulations.

Potential FEMA Public Assistance program applicants attend a SEMA Applicant Briefing in Jefferson City on June 11, 2019.

Potential FEMA Public Assistance program applicants attend a SEMA Applicant Briefing in Jefferson City on June 11, 2019.

Most applicants have already begun repair work before the Applicant Briefings are held. They are still strongly encouraged to attend an Applicant Briefing to learn about program changes and eligibility information.  Conducted by SEMA Public Assistance staff (FEMA representatives may be in attendance), the briefings walk applicants through the reimbursement process and explain how to determine eligible work, document progress, and submit Public Assistance applications.

Potential applicants must note there is a 30 day deadline from the date of the disaster declaration to submit a Federal Request for Public Assistance (RPA) to SEMA and for SEMA to process the requests to FEMA.  If it is absolutely impossible for an organizational representative to attend any briefing and submit the RPA, the applicant can contact SEMA’s Public Assistance program, which will work with them to submit their request.

Remember:

  • Each function in an applicant organization should attend or watch the applicant briefing in order to understand their role and responsibility in the process. These include senior officials, fiscal managers, administrative staff managers and the applicant’s authorized representative.
  • Because documentation is a key – and often a misunderstood part of FEMA’s Public Assistance program – anyone who will be involved in the documentation process should attend.
  • FEMA may deny applications for assistance that are received past the 30-day deadline.
  • It is extremely important that Applicants document the damages and save all paperwork even if they have already started the work.
    • Take pictures of the damage and of the site once it has been repaired.
    • Make sure you follow all of your organization’s normal procedures, such as bids, contract approvals, signed contracts and invoices.
    • Keep copies of all these documents, because SEMA and FEMA will review them to determine whether you’re eligible for reimbursement.

The applicant briefings will answer many of your questions, and a SEMA staff member will be assigned to each county to help with projects details. But if you have questions at any time, please contact SEMA Public Assistance Section Manager David Burgan at (573) 526-9378 or David.Burgan@sema.dps.mo.gov.

FEMA Recovery Scoping Meetings

After the Applicant Briefings, FEMA will hold what are called Recovery Scoping meetings (formerly called Kickoff Meetings), which are one-on-one meetings between each applicant and FEMA Public Assistance staff. FEMA generally requires that applicants identify and report all of its disaster-related damage, emergency work activities, and debris quantities to FEMA within 60 days of the Scoping Meeting.

FEMA Public Assistance Process Moving Forward

A combined federal/state/local team proceeds with “project formulation,” which is the process of documenting the eligible facility, the eligible work, and the eligible cost for fixing the damage to every public or private nonprofit facility identified by state or local representatives. The team prepares a “Project Worksheet” based on actual costs or on the basis of an estimate for each project.

FEMA considers the state, through SEMA, to be the recovery grant recipient. Each local or private nonprofit recipient is considered a sub-recipient. Sub-recipients receive reimbursements for projects from FEMA through SEMA as work is performed. SEMA does not have access to the FEMA funds.

FEMA has eight categories of public assistance projects.

Public Assistance Projects Categories:

  • Category A: Debris removal
  • Category B: Emergency protective measures
  • Category C: Roads and bridges
  • Category D: Water control facilities
  • Category E: Public buildings and contents
  • Category F: Public utilities
  • Category G: Parks, recreational, and other facilities
  • Category Z: Management Costs

A FEMA Public Assistance grant recipient may be approved for multiple projects involving some or all seven Public Assistance categories. FEMA handles projects differently based on scope and expense of the project. There are two types of projects.

Small Projects

Projects falling below a certain threshold ($1 million for 2023) are considered "small." The threshold is adjusted annually for inflation. For small projects, payment of the federal share of the estimate is made upon approval of the project and notification is required upon completion of the project.

Large Projects

For large projects, payment is made on the basis of actual costs determined after the project is completed, although interim payments may be made as necessary, or on the basis of an agreed upon estimate. The eligible applicant has the choice of how it wishes to receive the federal grant. Once FEMA obligates funds to the state, further management of the assistance, including disbursement to sub-recipients, is the responsibility of the state. FEMA will continue to monitor the recovery progress to ensure the timely delivery of eligible assistance and compliance with the law and regulations.

Open Disasters

DR-4741

Federal Government Approves Governor Parson’s Request for Major Disaster Declaration

Public Assistance under DR-4741
On September 21, 2023, a federal disaster declaration (DR-4741) for Missouri was approved to help support local governments and eligible nonprofits with reimbursements for eligible disaster recovery costs for the following counties: Adair, Barry, Barton, Bates, Benton, Bollinger, Camden, Christian, Clark, Crawford, Dade, Gentry, Greene, Grundy, Henry, Iron, Knox, Madison, Maries, Mississippi, Morgan, New Madrid, Ozark, Perry, Scotland, Scott, Shelby, St. Clair, Ste. Genevieve, Taney, Vernon, Wayne, and Worth Counties.. Public Assistance (PA) is a federal grant program administered by FEMA, and managed at the state level by SEMA. As a reimbursing, cost-share program, FEMA may reimburse approved applicants up to 75 percent of eligible costs. FEMA requires documentation that supports reimbursement of claimed costs. Eligible costs are, generally, costs that were incurred as related to severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flash flooding that occurred July 29th to August 14th, 2023. These costs must be coded and captured separately from normal operation or activities that may utilize other funding sources. Proper procurement policies should meet or exceed the state and federal requirements as indicated by 2 CFR part 200. Thorough expense documentation is critically important to this reimbursement process.

Information for Participation:

  1. Attend an in-person applicant briefing or watch the Virtual Applicant Briefing for DR-4741 below.
  2. Set up your jurisdiction into FEMA’s Grants Portal.
    • http://grantee.fema.gov
    • Your jurisdiction may already be registered if you have participated in previous disaster declarations. Please contact SEMA PA if you are unsure.
  3. Submit a Request for Public Assistance (RPA) for DR-4741
    • Political sub-jurisdictions and Private Non-profits may submit an RPA through Grants Portal after your jurisdiction has been registered and accepted as an applicant jurisdiction.
    • Dr-4741 was declared on September 21, 2023; by statute, applicants have 30 days from the declaration date to submit an RPA. The deadline to submit an RPA is October 21th, 2023. SEMA recommends submitting an RPA as soon as possible.
    • Private Non-Profit organizations will be asked to answer a PNP Questionnaire through the Grants Portal as well as upload supporting documentation.
  4. All applicants must download and complete the State Forms document below and submit to SEMA.
  5. Review FEMA’s Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide (PAPPG).
  6. Compile and collect data for your incurred costs, to date, as well as projected estimates for reasonable future costs related to July 29 - August 14 severe storm, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flash flooding response to upload into Grants Portal and project formulation. Collect primary source documentation like invoices, proofs of payment, and applicable internal policy like your procurement policy, insurance policy, and pay policy. Summary spreadsheets may be used to organize information, but are not primary source documentation.

Online Applicant Briefing

Necessary Documents

  1. Request for Public Assistance
  2. Private Non-Profit Questionnaire
  3. State Forms

DR-4665

Federal Government Approves Governor Parson’s Request for Federal Disaster Declaration to Assist St. Louis Region after Record Flooding

Public Assistance under DR-4665
On August 8, 2022, a federal disaster declaration (DR-4665) for Missouri was approved to help support local governments and eligible nonprofits with reimbursements for eligible disaster recovery costs for the City of St. Louis and St. Louis, St. Charles, and Montgomery counties. Public Assistance (PA) is a federal grant program administered by FEMA, and managed at the state level by SEMA. As a reimbursing, cost-share program, FEMA may reimburse approved applicants up to 75 percent of eligible costs. FEMA requires documentation that supports reimbursement of claimed costs. Eligible costs are, generally, costs that were incurred as related to severe storms, and Flash flooding that occurred July 25-28. These costs must be coded and captured separately from normal operation or activities that may utilize other funding sources. Proper procurement policies should meet or exceed the state and federal requirements as indicated by 2 CFR part 200. Thorough expense documentation is critically important to this reimbursement process.

Information for Participation:

  1. Attend an in-person applicant briefing or watch the Virtual Applicant Briefing for DR-4665 below.
  2. Set up your jurisdiction into FEMA’s Grants Portal.
    • http://grantee.fema.gov
    • Your jurisdiction may already be registered if you have participated in any disaster declarations. Please contact SEMA PA if you are unsure.
  3. Submit a Request for Public Assistance (RPA) for DR-4665
    • Political sub-jurisdictions and Private Non-profits may submit an RPA through Grants Portal after your jurisdiction has been registered and accepted as an applicant jurisdiction.
    • Dr-4665 was declared on August 8, 2022; by statute, applicants have 30 days from the declaration date to submit an RPA. The deadline to submit an RPA is September 7, 2022. SEMA recommends submitting an RPA as soon as possible.
    • Private Non-Profit organizations will be asked to answer a PNP Questionnaire through the Grants Portal as well as upload supporting documentation.
  4. All applicants must download and complete the State Forms document below and submit to SEMA.
  5. Review FEMA’s Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide (PAPPG).
  6. Compile and collect data for your incurred costs, to date, as well as projected estimates for reasonable future costs related to July 25-28 severe storm and flooding response for upload into Grants Portal and project formulation. Collect primary source documentation like invoices, proofs of payment and applicable internal policy like your procurement policy, insurance policy, and pay policy. Summary spreadsheets may be used to organize information, but are not primary source documentation.

Necessary Documents

  1. Request for Public Assistance
  2. Private Non-Profit Questionnaire
  3. State Forms

DR-4636

FEMA Approves Governor Parson's Federal Disaster Declaration Request for December 10 Severe Storms and Tornadoes

Public Assistance under DR-4636
On January 10, 2022, a federal disaster declaration (DR-4636) for Missouri was approved to help support local governments and eligible nonprofits with reimbursements for eligible disaster recovery costs for seven Missouri counties. Public Assistance (PA) is a federal grant program administered by FEMA, and managed at the state level by SEMA. As a reimbursing, cost-share program, FEMA may reimburse approved applicants up to 75 percent of eligible costs. FEMA requires documentation that supports reimbursement of claimed costs. Eligible costs are, generally, costs that were incurred as related to severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes that occurred on December 10. These costs must be coded and captured separately from normal operation or activities that may utilize other funding sources. Proper procurement policies should meet or exceed the state and federal requirements as indicated by 2 CFR part 200. Thorough expense documentation is critically important to this reimbursement process.

On March 15, 2022, President Biden signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act into law. This law increased the federal cost share for any declared disaster or emergency that occurred between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2021, to 90 percent instead of the standard 75 percent. This adjustment also includes disasters that had incident periods within that time frame. This increase in federal cost share affects DR-4552, DR-4612, and DR-4636 for the State of Missouri.

Information for Participation:

  1. Watch the Virtual Applicant Briefing for DR-4636 below.
  2. Set up your jurisdiction into FEMA’s Grants Portal.
    • http://grantee.fema.gov
    • Your jurisdiction may already be registered if you have participated in any disaster declarations. Please contact SEMA PA if you are unsure.
  3. Submit a Request for Public Assistance (RPA) for DR-4636
    • Political sub-jurisdictions and Private Non-profits may submit an RPA through Grants Portal after your jurisdiction has been registered and accepted as an applicant jurisdiction.
    • Dr-4636 was declared on January 10, 2022; by statute, applicants have 30 days from the declaration date to submit an RPA. The deadline to submit an RPA is February 9, 2022. SEMA recommends submitting an RPA as soon as possible.
    • Private Non-Profit organizations will be asked to answer a PNP Questionnaire through the Grants Portal as well as upload supporting documentation.
  4. All applicants must download and complete the State Forms document below and submit to SEMA.
  5. Review FEMA’s Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide (PAPPG).
  6. Compile and collect data for your incurred costs, to date, as well as projected estimates for reasonable future costs related to December 10 severe storm and tornado response for upload into Grants Portal and project formulation. Collect primary source documentation like invoices, proofs of payment and applicable internal policy like your procurement policy, insurance policy, and pay policy. Summary spreadsheets may be used to organize information, but are not primary source documentation.

Virtual Applicant Briefing (Review of this video is strongly encouraged for government entities and nonprofits if applying for FEMA assistance)

Necessary Documents

  1. Request for Public Assistance
  2. Private Non-Profit Questionnaire
  3. State Forms

DR-4612

FEMA Approves Governor Parson’s Disaster Declaration Request For Severe Storms, Flooding

Public Assistance under DR-4612
On September 1, 2021, a federal disaster declaration (DR-4612) for Missouri was approved to help support local governments and eligible nonprofits with reimbursements for eligible disaster recovery costs for 21 Missouri counties. Public Assistance (PA) is a federal grant program administered by FEMA, and managed at the state level by SEMA. As a reimbursing, cost-share program, FEMA may reimburse approved applicants up to 75 percent of eligible costs. FEMA requires documentation that supports reimbursement of claimed costs. Eligible costs are, generally, costs that were incurred as related to  severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding  that occurred between June 24  and July 1.  These costs must be coded and captured separately from normal operation or activities that may utilize other funding sources. Proper procurement policies should meet or exceed the state and federal requirements as indicated by 2 CFR part 200. Thorough expense documentation is critically important to this reimbursement process.

On March 15, 2022, President Biden signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act into law. This law increased the federal cost share for any declared disaster or emergency that occurred between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2021, to 90 percent instead of the standard 75 percent. This adjustment also includes disasters that had incident periods within that time frame. This increase in federal cost share affects DR-4552, DR-4612, and DR-4636 for the State of Missouri.

Information for Participation:

  1. Watch the Virtual Applicant Briefing for DR-4612 below.
  2. Set up your jurisdiction into FEMA’s Grants Portal. 
    1. http://grantee.fema.gov
    2. Your jurisdiction may already be registered if you have participated in any disaster declarations.  Please contact SEMA PA if you are unsure.
  3. Submit a Request for Public Assistance (RPA) for DR-4612
    1. Political sub-jurisdictions and Private Non-profits may submit an RPA through Grants Portal after your jurisdiction has been registered and accepted as an applicant jurisdiction. 
    2. Dr-4612 was declared on September 1, 2021; by statute, applicants have 30 days from the declaration date to submit an RPA.  The deadline to submit an RPA is October 1, 2021.  SEMA recommends submitting an RPA as soon as possible.
    3. Private Non-Profit organizations will be asked to answer a PNP Questionnaire through the Grants Portal as well as upload supporting documentation.
  4. All applicants must download and complete the State Forms document below and submit to SEMA.
  5. Review FEMA’s Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide (PAPPG).
    1. https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_pappg-v4-updated-links_policy_6-1-2020.pdf
  6. Compile and collect data for your incurred costs, to date, as well as projected estimates for reasonable future costs related to June 24 – July 1 storms and flooding response for upload into Grants Portal and project formulation.  Collect primary source documentation like invoices, proofs of payment and applicable internal policy like your procurement policy, insurance policy, and pay policy.  Summary spreadsheets may be used to organize information, but are not primary source documentation.

Virtual Applicant Briefing (Review of this video is strongly encouraged for government entities and nonprofits if applying for FEMA assistance)

Necessary Documents

  1. Applicant Briefing Presentation
  2. Request for Public Assistance
  3. Private Non-Profit Questionnaire
  4. State Forms

DR-4552

President Trump Approves Governor Parson’s Request for Major Disaster Declaration Due to May Severe Storms

Public Assistance under DR-4552
On July 9, 2020, a federal disaster declaration (DR-4552) for Missouri was approved to help support local governments and eligible nonprofits with reimbursements for eligible disaster recovery costs for 19 Missouri counties. Public Assistance (PA) is a federal grant program administered by FEMA, and managed at the state level by SEMA. As a reimbursing, cost-share program, FEMA may reimburse approved applicants up to 75 percent of eligible costs. FEMA requires documentation that supports reimbursement of claimed costs. Eligible costs are, generally, costs that were incurred as related to May 3-4 severe storms and must be coded and captured separately from normal operation or activities that may utilize other funding sources. Proper procurement policies should meet or exceed the state and federal requirements as indicated by 2 CFR part 200. Thorough expense documentation is critically important to this reimbursement process.

On March 15, 2022, President Biden signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act into law. This law increased the federal cost share for any declared disaster or emergency that occurred between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2021, to 90 percent instead of the standard 75 percent. This adjustment also includes disasters that had incident periods within that time frame. This increase in federal cost share affects DR-4552, DR-4612, and DR-4636 for the State of Missouri.

Information for participation:

  1. Watch the Virtual Applicant Briefing for DR 4552 below.
  2. Set up your jurisdiction into FEMA’s Grants Portal as an applicant jurisdiction:
    1. http://grantee.fema.gov
  3. Submit a Request for Public Assistance (RPA) for DR-4552.
    1. Political sub-jurisdictions and Private Non-profits may submit an RPA through Grants Portal after your jurisdiction has been registered, and accepted, as an applicant jurisdiction. Your jurisdiction may already be registered and accepted if you’ve participation in any declarations since DR 4317.
    2. DR-4552 was declared on July 9, 2020; by statute, applicants have 30 days from the declaration date to submit an RPA. The deadline to submit an RPA is August 8, 2020. SEMA recommends submitting an RPA as soon as possible.
    3. Private Non-Profit organizations must also submit the PNP Questionnaire and additional requested documentation.
  4. All applicants must download and complete the State Forms document below (Necessary Documents, 4) and submit to SEMA.
  5. Review FEMA’s Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide (PAPPG); specifically, Category B.
    1. https://sema.dps.mo.gov/programs/documents/pappg.pdf
  6. Compile and collect data for your incurred costs, to date, as well as projected estimates for reasonable future costs related to May 3-4 storm response for upload into Grants Portal and project formulation. Collect primary source documentation like invoices, proofs of payment and applicable internal policy like your procurement policy. Summary spreadsheets may be used to organize information, but are not primary source documentation.

Virtual Applicant Briefing (Review of this video is strongly encouraged for government entities and nonprofits if applying for FEMA assistance)

Necessary Documents

  1. Applicant Briefing Presentation
  2. Request for Public Assistance
  3. Private Non-Profit Questionnaire
  4. State Forms

DR-4490

President Trump Approves Governor Parson’s Request for Major Disaster Declaration to Support Missouri’s Coronavirus Response

Public Assistance under DR-4490 for COVID-19 Response
On March 26, 2020, a federal disaster declaration (DR 4490) for Missouri was approved to help support local governments and eligible nonprofits with reimbursements for emergency response costs (Category B). Public Assistance (PA) is a federal grant program administered by FEMA, and managed at the state level by SEMA. As a reimbursing, cost-share program, FEMA may reimburse approved applicants up to 75 percent of eligible costs. FEMA requires documentation that supports reimbursement of claimed costs. These incurred costs as a response to COVID-19 must be coded and captured separately from normal operation or activities that may utilize other funding sources. Proper procurement policies should meet or exceed the state and federal requirements as indicated by 2 CFR part 200. Thorough expense documentation is critically important to this reimbursement process.

On February 2, 2021, President Biden issued a memorandum directing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to increase the federal cost share for COVID-19 Public Assistance funding from 75 percent to 100 percent. This memo builds on a previous memo issued by President Biden on January 21 and includes specific language making the increase to 100 percent retroactive to January 20, 2020. This includes eligible work under existing COVID-19 policies, such as increasing medical capacity, non-congregate sheltering and emergency food distribution. For projects that have already been approved, no further action will be required by applicants, as FEMA will amend existing awards to adjust the federal match upwards to 100 percent. Emergency Protective Measures are being reimbursed at 100 percent federal cost share until July 1, 2022, then the federal cost share will adjust to 90 percent.

Information for participation:

  1. Watch the Virtual Applicant Briefing for DR 4490 (Embedded video below)
  2. Set up your jurisdiction into FEMA’s Grants Portal as an applicant jurisdiction:
    1. http://grantee.fema.gov
  3. Submit a Request for Public Assistance, or RPA
    1. Political sub-jurisdictions may submit an RPA through Grants Portal after your jurisdiction has been set up as an applicant jurisdiction.
    2. Eligible Private Non-Profit organizations that provide critical services must apply using the RPA document available below (Necessary Documents, 1). Also, Private Non-Profit organizations must complete the PNP Forms.pdf file available below. Submit completed documentation to:
    3. DR 4490 was declared on March 26, 2020, and typically applicants have 30 days from the declaration date to submit an RPA. However, due to the current COVID-19 crisis, this deadline has been extended until noted by FEMA. SEMA recommends submitting an RPA as soon as possible.
  4. All applicants must download and complete the State Forms document below (Necessary Documents, 4) and submit to SEMA.
  5. Review FEMA’s Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide (PAPPG); specifically, Category B.
    1. https://sema.dps.mo.gov/programs/documents/pappg.pdf
  6. Compile and collect data for your incurred costs, to date, as well as projected estimates for reasonable future costs related to COVID-19 response for upload into Grants Portal and project formulation. Collect primary source documentation like invoices, proofs of payment and applicable internal policy like your procurement policy. Summary spreadsheets may be used to organize information, but are not primary source documentation. Upload compiled data to Grants Portal for DR 4490 using the Streamlined Project Application.

Virtual Applicant Briefing (Review of this video is strongly encouraged for government entities and nonprofits if applying for FEMA assistance)

FEMA How-To Videos for Grants Portal

Necessary Documents

  1. Presentation
  2. RPA
  3. PNP Forms
  4. State Forms
  5. Streamlined Project Application - Fillable Form
  6. Packet documentation
    1. Summary DR 4490
    2. Small Project Documentation Form
  7. FEMA guidance
    1. PA Fact Sheet Emergency Medical Care for COVID-19
    2. Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide 3.1
    3. COVID-19 Pandemic - Private Nonprofit Organizations Fact Sheet
    4. Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic: Eligible Emergency Protective Measures
    5. Applicant Quick Guide Process Overview
    6. Applicant Quick Guide Completing and Submitting

Resources

Grants Portal