Public Assistance (PA) is a disaster recovery grant program based on a partnership between FEMA, State, and local officials.

The objective of the FEMA’s PA Grant Program is to provide assistance to State, Tribal and local governments, and certain types of private non-profit organizations so that communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies declared by the President.  Once a disaster has been declared, state agencies, local government entities, and private non-profit organizations can work with DHSES to apply for FEMA Public Assistance.

Through the PA Program, FEMA provides supplemental Federal disaster grant assistance for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and the repair, replacement, or restoration of disaster-damaged, publicly owned facilities, and the facilities of private non-profit organizations.

The PA Program also encourages protection of these damaged facilities from future events by providing assistance for hazard mitigation measures during the recovery process.