Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) plays a critical role in helping communities recover after a disaster. Just because a disaster hits a community does not necessarily mean it is a "federally declared" disaster. State officials can play a key role in ensuring that the disaster is on the radar of the federal government and that the damage is clear to federal officials. Once a disaster is declared by the President, FEMA establishes Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) where citizens can get information and register for disaster assistance programs. These centers include representatives from FEMA, Small Business Administration (SBA), state offices, volunteer groups, and other agencies to provide guidance on recovery resources.
FEMA aid and assistance can look like:
Serious Needs: Provides funding for essential items such as water, food, medical supplies, and transportation.
Displacement: Offers money for temporary housing if you cannot return home.
Home Repair or Replacement: Assists with home repairs or replacement for disaster-related damage.
Rental Assistance: Helps cover the cost of renting a home if you're displaced.
Personal Property: Offers aid to repair or replace essential appliances, tools for work or school, and other personal items.
Child Care and Transportation: Covers increased childcare costs and transportation repairs or replacements due to disaster damage.
FEMA also coordinates with other organizations and agencies to offer additional resources:
Volunteer Agencies: Provide emergency food, shelter, and medical assistance right after a disaster.
Private Insurance: Individuals with private insurance must first file claims with their provider. If insurance doesn't cover the full losses, FEMA steps in with additional assistance.
Coordinates an interagency emergency response team: FEMA works with agencies such as the Small Business Administration (SBA) (who offers low-interest loans for homeowners, renters, and businesses to repair or replace property not covered by insurance), Department of Education (who helps ensure schools have the necessary resources needed for a disaster cycle), Army Corp of Engineers (who helps to send people and resources during emergencies), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (who helps with several housing and infrastructure needs), and more during a disaster cycle.
Addressing Disparities in Aid: Racial disparities in disaster response have been well-documented, with aid often distributed unevenly across communities. Studies show that Black and minority communities have historically received less support. If you're facing challenges accessing FEMA or any federal agencies.
For more information on how to access FEMA's resources, visit the FEMA Disaster Benefits Assistance page. You can also stay updated on federal disaster aid by visiting
Learn more about FEMA's role in helping you access funds here FEMA's Fact Sheet.
HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development)
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) plays a significant role in disaster recovery and response, particularly in helping low-income communities rebuild after presidentially declared disasters. HUD's disaster recovery efforts are aligned with several key programs and offices that offer crucial assistance to affected areas.
Although FEMA establishes disaster recovery centers (DRC) in affected areas once the President declares a disaster. If FEMA requests it, HUD provides volunteers to serve at DRCs to discuss and provide housing disaster assistance. At the DRC, volunteers help citizens apply for assistance.
Key HUD Disaster Programs:
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG-DR): The Office of Community Planning and Development administers the CDBG-DR program, which provides flexible grants to help cities, counties, and states recover from disasters, with a focus on low-income areas. These funds supplement federal aid from FEMA and the SBA, supporting long-term recovery projects, such as rebuilding housing, infrastructure, and public services. Additional funding may be appropriated by Congress specifically for disaster recovery.
Office of Disaster Management and National Security (ODMNS): This office coordinates HUD's disaster response and recovery efforts. It develops disaster policies, integrates response planning at all levels, and works with federal, state, and local partners to create disaster housing recovery protocols.
Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae): Ginnie Mae encourages mortgage forbearance for borrowers in areas impacted by presidentially declared disasters. In some cases, Ginnie Mae provides support to issuers to help them offer this relief while maintaining pass-through payments.
Office of Policy Development and Research: To assist homeowners after a disaster, this office offers a disaster response toolkit to guide them through the recovery process.
For more information on HUD's disaster recovery efforts, visit HUD's Hurricane Helene Page and the HUD OIG Disaster Recovery Report.
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides critical disaster assistance as being one of the first agencies to contact communities by providing low-interest loans to help homeowners, renters, businesses, and nonprofit organizations recover from disasters. SBA disaster loans are available to cover both personal and business-related losses not fully covered by insurance or other recoveries. SBA loans may be available to residents who have suffered economic loss because of the disaster. SBA also can help by providing disaster assistance for residents who have losses that are not covered by private insurance.
Key SBA Disaster Assistance Programs:
Homeowner and Renter Loans: Homeowners may qualify for disaster loans up to $500,000 to repair or replace damaged real estate. Renters and homeowners are also eligible for loans up to $100,000 to cover the repair or replacement of personal property lost in a disaster.
Loan Terms: Interest rates for homeowners and renters are as low as 2.688%, with repayment terms of up to 30 years. No interest or payments are required during the first 12 months after the initial disbursement. Loan amounts and terms are determined based on the applicant's financial condition.
Application Process: Applicants can apply online at SBA Disaster Assistance or get additional information by contacting SBA's Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Telecommunications relay services are available by dialing 7-1-1 for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability.
For more details on SBA loans and disaster assistance, visit the SBA Disaster Assistance page.
Department of Education (ED)
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) plays a vital role in helping educational institutions recover from natural disasters. Through coordinated efforts, ED ensures that schools and higher education institutions receive the necessary support to restore safe learning environments after disasters.
Key ED Disaster Recovery Programs:
Cross-Agency Disaster Response: The ED leads a cross-agency disaster response team, collaborating with other federal agencies, Congressional staff, technical assistance providers, and membership associations to deliver coordinated, efficient assistance to education communities affected by natural disasters.
Project SERV Grants: ED provides Project School Emergency Response to Violence (SERV) grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) (these are typically schools and districts) and institutions of higher education (IHEs) impacted by natural disasters, ensuring they can rebuild and recover.
Collaboration with FEMA
Support for Postsecondary Education
For more information on the Dept of Education's disaster recovery efforts, visit the Natural Disaster Resources Page or contact the Disaster Recovery Unit.
