Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic: Reimbursement of Eligible Public Health and Safety Actions

FEMA provided confirmation and clarification regarding the Public Assistance funding now available due to State, local, tribal and territorial governments.  This funding support is a result of President Trump declaring a nationwide emergency on March 13, 2020 pursuant to Sec. 501(b) of Stafford Act and increasing federal support to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in its role as the lead federal agency for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic response. Under this declaration an incident period start date of January 20, 2020 was established. FEMA, in coordination with HHS, will assist state, local, tribal, territorial governments and other eligible entities with the reimbursement of eligible health and safety actions they take on behalf of the American public after the incident period start date of January 20, 2020.

Reimbursable activities typically include emergency protective measures such as:
the activation of Local and State Emergency Operations Centers, law enforcement and other measures necessary to protect public health and safety.

State, local, tribal and territorial entities seeking additional assistance by requesting a major disaster declaration should demonstrate and document a specific need beyond what is already supported under the national emergency declaration.

GZA and iParametrics are working together and advising our municipal clients to make your local emergency declaration coincide with your State’s emergency declaration date and declare the date you began emergency management and public safety measures after the date of January 20, 2020. We have prepared a summary of the Steps to Take Now based on our understanding of FEMA guidance on this unique national disaster declaration.

FEMA guidance, FAQs and Rumor Control resources are provided below:

FEMA Rumor Control page for COVID-19
 
FEMA Advisory as of March 21st, 2020
 
Updated information on FEMA’s response efforts, including eligibility under the National Emergency Declaration, How To Help, Community Based Testing Sites (CBTS) and the Defense Production Act