PUBLIC ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as authorized by the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, provides funding through the Public Assistance Grant Program (PA) to reimburse local, state, tribal, and territorial governments and select private non-profits for costs associated with response and recovery efforts caused by disasters. Only damage to public infrastructure is eligible for reimbursement under this program. For PA funds to become available, the disaster must be severe enough to qualify for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration or Emergency Declaration for the affected areas. FEMA evaluates several metrics to determine if the incident qualifies: impact to local jurisdictions, are local, state, and/or tribal capabilities overwhelmed, is the countywide damage threshold met ($4.44 per capita), and is the state threshold met ($1.77 per capita).
The State of Nebraska, through the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), is the Recipient of the PA grant. The Recipient is responsible administering the program within the state and for disbursing obligated funding accordingly as a pass-through entity. Eligible state, local, tribal, and territorial governments and private non-profits are sub-recipients of the grant. The Public Assistance (PA) Unit at NEMA coordinates project obligation efforts with FEMA and local sub-recipients to ensure the scope of work is aligned with programmatic regulations and accurately addresses the sub-recipient’s recovery needs. The PA Unit is also responsible for closing out each project and sub-recipient from the grant.
QUICK LINKS
Hazard Mitigation
Public Assistance - Quarterly Reports
Public Assistance - Resources
Declared Disasters
FEMA
FEMA - Grant Portal
FEMA - Procurement Under Grants Training
Documents and Forms
Governor’s Emergency Fund Guide for Elected Officials
Preliminary Damage Assessment Guidance
Preliminary Damage Assessment Form
Preliminary Damage Assessment Form (Public Power District/Utilities Use Only)
Public Assistance Contact Information:
(402) 471-7421 Option 3
nema.publicassistance@nebraska.gov
DECLARED DISASTERS INFORMATION
Open Disasters
DR-4662
Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds
Incident Period: May 12, 2022
Declaration Date: July 27, 2022
Period of Performance: July 27, 2026
DR-4641
Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes
Incident Period: December 15, 2021
Declaration Date: February 23, 2022
Period of Performance: February 23, 2026
DR-4616
Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds
Incident Period: July 9 to July 10, 2021
Declaration Date: September 6, 2021
Period of Performance: September 6, 2025
DR-4521
Incident Period: Ongoing
Declaration Date: April 4, 2020
Period of Performance: April 4, 2024
DR-4420
Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flooding
Incident Period: March 9 to July 14, 2019
Declaration Date: March 21, 2019
Period of Performance: March 21, 2025


Recovery 101 Webinar Series
Closed Disasters
DR-4375
Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds
Incident Period: April 13-18, 2018
Declaration Date: June 29, 2018
Grant Closeout Date: June 23, 2022
Total PA Dollars Obligated: $9,682,769.06
DR-4387
Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding
Incident Period: June 17 – July 1, 2018
Declaration Date: August 27, 2018
Grant Closeout Date: May 31, 2022
Total PA Dollars Obligated: $3,412,134.56
DR-4325
Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds
Incident Period: June 12 – 17, 2017
Declaration Date: August 1, 2017
Grant Closeout Date: March 8, 2022
Total PA Dollars Obligated: $19,887,840.22
DR-4321
Severe Winter Storms and Straight-line Winds
Incident Period: April 29 – May 3, 2017
Declaration Date: June 26, 2017
Grant Closeout Date: March 19, 2021
Total PA Dollars Obligated: $2,786,762.51