Public Assistance (PA) Grant Program

The Public Assistance (PA) Grant Program provides supplemental Federal assistance to States and local communities to return an area impacted by disaster to its pre-disaster conditions and function. PA supports initiatives that protect against immediate threats to life, public safety and improved property; the removal of debris as a result of a disaster and the restoration – through repair or replacement – of disaster-damaged structures and facilities. The program is managed by FEMA, administered by GOHSEP and is available after a Presidentially declared emergency or disaster. 

What Projects/Activities are Funded Through PA Grants?

There are two (2) broad categories of eligible work – Emergency Work and Permanent Work. Each category is further subdivided as shown in the graphic to the right.

• Emergency Work is that which must be performed to reduce or eliminate an immediate threat to life, protect public health and safety, and to protect improved property that is threatened in a significant way as a result of a disaster.
• Permanent Work is that which is required to restore a damaged facility to its pre-disaster design and function and capacity – in accordance with, applicable codes or standards.
• Temporary Facilities may also be eligible for PA when services provided at public, Tribal and PNP are disrupted due to a major emergency or disaster event.

PA projects must meet environmental and historic regulations. To learn more, download the EHP environmental + historic preservation brochure and visit Environmental and Historic Preservation Guidance for FEMA Grant Applicants.

Who can Participate in the PA Program?

There are four (4) eligibility requirements that must be met to participate in the PA Program.

The Subrecipient (Applicant) – is the basis for eligibility. The Subrecipient must be eligible for the facility to be eligible. The facility must be eligible for the work to be eligible. The work must be eligible for the cost to be eligible.

The cost of eligible work is typically a shared cost. The Federal share of assistance is generally not less than 75 percent of the eligible cost for Emergency Measures and Permanent Work. The grant recipient is usually the State. The Recipient determines how the non-Federal share – up to 25 percent – is split with eligible Subrecipients (Applicants). There are exceptions.

Under certain circumstances the Federal share may be 90 percent or even 100 percent. 

The cost of eligible work is typically a shared cost. The Federal share of assistance is generally not less than 75 percent of the eligible cost for Emergency Measures and Permanent Work. The grant recipient is usually the State. The Recipient determines how the non-Federal share – up to 25 percent – is split with eligible Subrecipients (Applicants). There are exceptions.

Under certain circumstances the Federal share may be 90 percent or even 100 percent.

When is the Application Period?

An RPA must be submitted to FEMA within 30 days after Presidential-declaration designation of the area where the damage occurred.

How to Apply - Request for Public Assistance (RPAs)

The Request for Public Assistance (RPA) is FEMA’s official application form (FEMA form 90-49) that public organizations and PNPs use to apply for disaster assistance.

It is a simple, short form with self-contained instructions.

The RPA:

• Identifies the Subrecipient (Applicant).
• Provides for general claim information.
• Includes records of meetings. Special issues or concerns that may affect funding.

RPA must be submitted to the FEMA RA within 30 days after designation of the area where the damage occurred.

• It can be delivered in person at the Applicant Briefing, filed online through LouisianaPA.com or sent by mail or faxed to GOHSEP.

7667 Independence Blvd.

Baton Rouge, LA 70806

(225) 267-2832