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Printed by the Authority of the State of Illinois IOCI 0019 - PO# 694 - 2,500 - 8/09 Public Assistance Funding Process Disaster occurs Local government conducts damage as- sessment Local damage assessment information provided to IEMA IEMA determines need for FEMA/IEMA damage assessment FEMA/IEMA conduct preliminary damage assessment with local officials Governor may request Federal Disaster Declaration Federal Disaster Declaration made by the President (a per capita amount of eligible costs is required) Public assistance applicants’ briefing Project worksheets are developed, re- viewed, approved, and obligated by FEMA IEMA reimburses applicants for eligible ex- penses/eligible work completed Project Closeout Inspection Records Retention and Audit Important Websites Real-time disaster information and preparedness tips www.ready.illinois.gov The Illinois Emergency Management Agency’s Official website http://state.il.us/iema Bureau of Disaster Assistance and Preparedness website http://www.iema.illinois.gov/ iema/disaster/disaster.htm IEMA’s 24-hour Emergency Telecommunications Center (800) 782.7860 ---PAGE BREAK--- Local Response All disasters begin with a local response. Local resources are used to respond to the disaster. The chief local elected official in a city or county may declare a local disaster in order to activate that jurisdiction’s emergency operations plan. Citizens should report damages to their City/County Emergency Management Agency or City/County officials. Local Government Requests Assistance If a city’s or a county’s response capabilities are overwhelmed or depleted, local officials may re- quest assistance from IEMA. Cities in need of State assistance should make their request through the County Emergency Management Agency. County EMAs should submit all requests for State assistance to IEMA. State Disaster Declaration The Governor may proclaim a state disaster, which allows state agency resources to assist local governments. For example, the Illinois De- partment of Transportation or the Illinois Depart- ment of Corrections may be requested to help with debris removal. Preliminary Damage Assessments Damage information (private property, business losses, and public infrastructure damages) must be first collected by local officials. Based upon the information collected by local officials, IEMA may request a Federal/State Preliminary Dam- age Assessment (PDA). During the visit, the PDA team tours, collects and analyzes the damage information. The damage assessment team members include IEMA, FEMA, SBA, and local of- ficials. Local officials MUST be prepared to show all damages to the PDA team(s). NOTE: The ability to gather damage information expeditiously may be hindered due to the na- ture and severity of the disaster. For example, flood damage cannot be accurately assessed until water levels recede enough to allow PDA teams access to impacted buildings and homes. Public Assistance Helps reimburse local, county, and state gov- ernments, and certain private, non-profit or- ganizations in declared counties for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and repair/replacement of damaged public infra- structure. Emergency Work includes debris re- moval and emergency protective measures. Permanent Work categories include roads and bridges, water control facilities, buildings and equipment, utilities, and parks/recreational fa- cilities. Damages and costs incurred from a dis- aster are measured by a statewide and county per capita dollar threshold. These factors are considered by FEMA when determining the need for a Public Assistance major disaster dec- laration. Public Assistance Disaster Briefings for Local Officials IEMA conducts applicant briefings to explain to local officials the Public Assistance Program poli- cies and procedures, how project worksheets are prepared and the reimbursement processes and procedures. Local officials have 30 days from the date of the Disaster Declaration to sub- mit a request for Public Assistance to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. Hazard Mitigation Grant Program After a Presidential Declaration the Hazard Mit- igation Grant Program (HMGP) provides federal assistance to states, local units of government and certain private non-profit organizations for long-term mitigation measures and all-hazards mitigation planning. Applicant organizations must have a FEMA-ap- proved mitigation plan in place prior to the sub- mission of project applications to FEMA, with the proposed project identified in the plan. Local government applicants must belong to the Na- tional Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Requesting a Presidential Disaster Declaration If the Governor asks the President for a Major Dis- aster declaration, the request is submitted through FEMA Region V in Chicago. FEMA re- views the Governor’s request and makes a rec- ommendation to the President. The President then makes the decision on the Governor’s re- quest. If the Request is Denied The Governor may appeal the denial. The ap- peal must be submitted within 30 days and pro- vide additional NEW information to the original request for re-consideration. President Approves Disaster Request Depending on the State’s request, the Federal disaster declaration may make assistance avail- able to families, businesses, local governments, and/or certain private non-profit organizations located in declared counties that suffered eligi- ble disaster related damages. The primary fed- eral assistance programs are Individual Assistance, Public Assistance, Hazard Mitigation Assistance, and Small Business Administration dis- aster loans. Individual Assistance Helps individuals and households in declared counties begin the recovery process after a dis- aster. Individual Assistance programs include: In- dividuals & Households Program, Minimum Essential Repair, Disaster Unemployment, and other programs. Homeowners, renters, and busi- nesses may apply to the SBA for low interest eco- nomic impact disasters loans. Individuals, families, and businesses have 60 days after the declaration is issued to register for assistance ei- ther by telephone or the internet.